I absolutely love how this Stuffed Chicken Breast with Cream Cheese, Feta, and Sun Dried Tomatoes Recipe turns out every time I make it. The creamy filling paired with the tangy feta and the rich, slightly sweet sun dried tomatoes creates such a flavor explosion that feels fancy but is surprisingly simple to prepare. This dish works beautifully for a weeknight dinner when you want something comforting but also a bit special enough to impress family or guests.
When I first tried this recipe, I was amazed at how the combination of cheeses and spinach inside the chicken kept it juicy and flavorful throughout. You’ll find that it’s a great way to elevate regular chicken breasts without too much fuss or fancy ingredients. Plus, this recipe comes together quickly, making it perfect for busy evenings when you still want to serve something homemade and satisfying.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bursting with Flavor: The cream cheese, feta, and sun dried tomatoes blend creates a creamy, tangy filling that makes every bite exciting.
- Simple and Quick: It only takes about 15 minutes from start to finish, perfect for busy nights.
- Moist and Juicy Chicken: Stuffing the chicken with cheese and spinach helps lock in moisture, keeping the meat tender.
- Versatile to Customize: You can easily swap out ingredients to suit your taste or dietary needs.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients come together seamlessly to create a rich yet fresh stuffing for the chicken breasts. When shopping, look for high-quality sun dried tomatoes packed in oil for the best flavor and soft texture.
- Chicken breasts: Choose small, boneless, and skinless chicken breasts to make stuffing easier and quicker to cook.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors in the dish without overpowering.
- Pepper: Adds mild heat and balances the richness of the cheeses.
- Smoked paprika: Gives a subtle smoky depth that complements the creamy filling beautifully.
- Cream cheese: Provides a smooth and creamy base for the filling – room temperature helps it mix well.
- Parmesan cheese: Adds nuttiness and a pleasant sharp bite for extra complexity.
- Feta cheese: Brings a salty and tangy kick that brightens the filling.
- Baby spinach: Adds color, nutrition, and a fresh taste that balances the richness of the cheeses.
- Sun dried tomatoes: Packed in oil, these little gems add sweetness and umami that’s simply irresistible.
- Butter: Used for cooking the chicken to get that golden, flavorful crust.
Variations
I love tweaking this Stuffed Chicken Breast with Cream Cheese, Feta, and Sun Dried Tomatoes Recipe depending on what I have on hand or the dietary preferences of whoever I’m cooking for. It really invites personalization without losing its magic.
- Make it Keto-Friendly: Skip the parmesan if you want, or add some chopped olives for extra fat and Mediterranean flair — my family loves this twist.
- Add Herbs: Fresh basil or oregano give a lovely fresh aroma; I often toss in chopped herbs when I want that herbaceous punch.
- Spice it Up: Try adding a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes into the filling for a subtle heat that livens up the flavors.
- Vegetarian Version: Substitute the chicken breasts with large portobello mushroom caps stuffed with the same filling — it’s a great alternative I’ve experimented with when friends visit.
How to Make Stuffed Chicken Breast with Cream Cheese, Feta, and Sun Dried Tomatoes Recipe
Step 1: Butterfly and Season Your Chicken
Start by carefully slicing your chicken breasts horizontally through the middle like a book—stop before cutting all the way through so it opens like a flap. I use a sharp knife and take my time here to avoid slicing all the way through, which would make stuffing tricky. Once opened, sprinkle the outside of the chicken with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. This seasoning not only enhances the meat but complements the stuffed filling’s richness perfectly.
Step 2: Mix the Cream Cheese Filling
In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese, parmesan, feta, chopped baby spinach, and finely chopped sun dried tomatoes. I find letting the cream cheese soften to room temperature before mixing makes this much easier and creates a smoother blend. Mix until all ingredients are well distributed, and you have a vibrant, creamy filling that’s ready to go.
Step 3: Stuff and Secure the Chicken
Generously spoon the cheese mixture into each butterflied chicken breast, then fold it back closed. Secure with toothpicks to hold everything together—don’t worry if a bit of filling sneaks out while cooking, it just adds extra flavor to the skillet. I like to gently press the filling inside to avoid mess but don’t overstuff, so the chicken cooks evenly.
Step 4: Brown and Cook Your Chicken
Heat a skillet over medium heat and melt the butter until foamy. Place your stuffed chicken breasts in the skillet and brown them on all sides—this usually takes around 3-4 minutes per side. I keep an eye on the color because a nice golden crust really boosts the flavor. Then continue cooking until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F; this ensures it’s safely cooked but still juicy inside.
Pro Tips for Making Stuffed Chicken Breast with Cream Cheese, Feta, and Sun Dried Tomatoes Recipe
- Use Room Temperature Cream Cheese: It blends much easier with the other cheeses and spinach, creating a silky filling.
- Don’t Overstuff the Chicken: I learned this the hard way—too much filling causes leaks and uneven cooking.
- Pat the Chicken Dry Before Seasoning: This helps the seasoning stick better and ensures a nice sear on the outside.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: Chicken cooking times vary, so checking the internal temp at 165°F guarantees juicy but fully cooked meat without guesswork.
How to Serve Stuffed Chicken Breast with Cream Cheese, Feta, and Sun Dried Tomatoes Recipe
Garnishes
I like to finish this dish with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or basil to add a pop of color and fresh flavor. A drizzle of good quality olive oil over the top also enhances the richness and adds a lovely shine.
Side Dishes
This recipe pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad or roasted vegetables for a well-rounded meal. My go-to side is garlic roasted asparagus or creamy mashed potatoes to soak up any leftover melted cheeses.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve served this stuffed chicken sliced into medallions over a bed of quinoa or rice pilaf, arranged beautifully with the colorful filling showing off. It makes the plate look elegant and guests always ask for the recipe!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, I store stuffed chicken breasts in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. I’ve found that keeping the toothpicks in until reheating helps the chicken keep its shape and filling intact.
Freezing
This recipe freezes really well! I place the cooled, cooked chicken breasts in a shallow, freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. When you want to enjoy it, thaw overnight in the fridge to maintain the best texture.
Reheating
I prefer reheating leftovers gently on the stovetop covered, or in the oven at a low temperature to keep the chicken moist. While microwaving works in a pinch, I’ve found it can dry out the chicken and toughen the filling.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen chicken breasts for this recipe?
While you can use frozen chicken breasts, I recommend thawing them completely before butterflying and stuffing. Thawed chicken slices more cleanly, allowing you to stuff evenly and cook thoroughly without overcooking the outside.
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What can I substitute for sun dried tomatoes?
If you don’t have sun dried tomatoes on hand, roasted red peppers are a nice alternative, offering a sweet and smoky flavor. Just chop them finely and use the same quantity to keep the right balance in the filling.
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How do I prevent the filling from leaking out during cooking?
Make sure not to overstuff the chicken breasts and use toothpicks to securely close the opening. Also, gently pressing the filling inside and cooking over medium heat helps the cheese meld inside without spilling out.
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Can I bake this instead of cooking on the stovetop?
Yes, baking stuffed chicken breasts at 375°F (190°C) for about 25-30 minutes is a great alternative. For a nice golden color, you can briefly broil or sear them in a hot pan before baking.
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Is it okay to use different cheeses?
Absolutely! Mixing cheeses like goat cheese or mozzarella can change the flavor and texture nicely. Just keep the creamy base and salty profiles to maintain the delicious balance of this stuffed chicken.
Final Thoughts
This Stuffed Chicken Breast with Cream Cheese, Feta, and Sun Dried Tomatoes Recipe has become one of my favorite weeknight meals because of its simplicity without sacrificing flavor. I love sharing it with friends and family because it feels like a little celebration on a regular evening. Give it a try—you’ll enjoy how easy it is to whip up something impressive that everyone will love. Trust me, once you nail that golden crust and creamy filling combination, it’ll become a staple in your recipe rotation too.
PrintStuffed Chicken Breast with Cream Cheese, Feta, and Sun Dried Tomatoes Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Description
A delicious stuffed chicken breast recipe featuring a creamy filling of cream cheese, parmesan, feta, baby spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes. Pan-seared to perfection, this dish is flavorful, juicy, and perfect for a quick yet elegant meal.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 small chicken breasts, skinless and boneless
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon butter (for cooking)
Stuffing
- 6 ounces cream cheese
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese
- 1/3 cup parmesan cheese
- 1/3 cup feta cheese
- 1 cup baby spinach, chopped
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Butterfly the chicken breasts by slicing them horizontally through the middle, stopping just before cutting all the way through to create a pocket. Sprinkle the outside of the chicken with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika evenly.
- Make the filling: In a small bowl, mix together the cream cheese, parmesan cheese, feta cheese, chopped baby spinach, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes until well combined.
- Stuff the chicken: Spoon the cheese and vegetable mixture into the pocket of each chicken breast. Use toothpicks to secure the edges and hold the stuffing inside. It’s okay if some filling falls out during the process.
- Cook the chicken: Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the butter. Once hot, place the stuffed chicken breasts in the skillet. Brown all sides evenly, cooking the chicken until its internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), ensuring it is fully cooked and juicy.
Notes
- TO STORE: Once the stuffed chicken breasts have cooled, store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- TO FREEZE: Place cooled, cooked chicken breasts in a shallow container and freeze for up to 2 months.
- TO REHEAT: Reheat covered in a pan on the stovetop or in the oven to maintain moisture. Microwaving is possible but may dry the chicken out.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed chicken breast
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 115mg