Spinach and Feta Stuffed Chicken (Printable)
Juicy chicken breasts filled with savory spinach, tangy feta, and aromatic herbs. Elegant Mediterranean main course.
# What You Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Filling
05 - 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
06 - 3/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
09 - 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
10 - 1 teaspoon lemon zest
11 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
→ To Finish
12 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
13 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
# Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a baking dish with cooking spray or oil.
02 - Using a sharp knife, cut a horizontal pocket into the side of each chicken breast without cutting all the way through, creating a pouch for the filling.
03 - In a medium bowl, combine chopped spinach, crumbled feta cheese, minced garlic, fresh parsley, fresh dill, lemon zest, and ground black pepper. Mix until well combined.
04 - Divide the spinach-feta mixture evenly among the four chicken breasts, spooning filling into each pocket. Secure pockets with toothpicks if necessary.
05 - Rub the outside surface of each stuffed chicken breast with 1 tablespoon olive oil, then season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
06 - Place stuffed chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish. Drizzle with remaining olive oil and sprinkle dried oregano evenly over the top.
07 - Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F when measured with a meat thermometer in the thickest part, and the top is lightly golden.
08 - Remove from oven and carefully remove toothpicks. Allow to rest for 2 minutes before serving.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- The pockets of tangy feta create little bursts of flavor that somehow make chicken breast impossibly juicy and exciting again.
- It looks impressively fancy on a dinner plate but requires no special skills beyond cutting a pocket in chicken, perfect for those nights you want to feel accomplished without excessive effort.
02 -
- Dont overstuff the chicken or the filling will leak out during cooking, creating a messy (though still delicious) situation.
- If your chicken breasts are particularly thick, pound them slightly before cutting the pocket to ensure they cook evenly throughout.
03 -
- After stuffing the chicken, run your finger along the opening to push the filling deeper inside, creating space to fold over a small flap of chicken that helps seal everything in naturally without toothpicks.
- For extra browning and flavor, switch the oven to broil for the final two minutes of cooking, watching carefully to prevent burning.