Ingredients
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt, divided
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
Spinach Filling
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 ½ cups chopped fresh spinach
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to get it ready for baking the chicken breasts.
- Prepare Chicken: Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board and drizzle them evenly with olive or avocado oil.
- Season Chicken: In a small bowl, combine paprika, half of the salt (½ teaspoon), garlic powder, and onion powder. Sprinkle this seasoning mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts to impart flavor.
- Create Pockets: Using a sharp knife, carefully cut a pocket into the side of each chicken breast without slicing all the way through. Set the prepared chicken aside for stuffing.
- Make Filling: In a small mixing bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, grated Parmesan, mayonnaise, chopped fresh spinach, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and the remaining ½ teaspoon salt until well combined to form a flavorful filling.
- Stuff Chicken: Spoon the spinach and cheese mixture evenly into the pockets of each chicken breast, filling them thoroughly.
- Bake: Place the stuffed chicken breasts in a 9×13 inch baking dish and bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened to make mixing easier.
- You can substitute fresh spinach with thawed and drained frozen spinach if fresh is unavailable.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked safely through.
- For extra flavor, consider sprinkling additional Parmesan on top before baking.
- Oven temperatures may vary; check chicken slightly before 25 minutes if your oven runs hot.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American