Description
This delicious Goat Cheese & Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast with Caramelized Onions and Mushrooms is a perfect blend of creamy goat cheese, wilted spinach, and savory caramelized onions and mushrooms baked to juicy perfection. It’s a flavorful and elegant main dish that’s simple to prepare and sure to impress.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Filling
- 4 chicken breasts (about 4-6 ounces each)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 4 cups organic spinach
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 ounces goat cheese
- Freshly ground salt and pepper, to taste
Caramelized Onions and Mushrooms
- 1 white onion, sliced
- 8 ounces sliced baby bella mushrooms
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Chicken: Preheat your oven to 375°F. With a sharp knife, carefully make 6 horizontal slits in each chicken breast without cutting all the way through, creating pockets for the filling. Drizzle with a little olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Cook Spinach: Heat ½ tablespoon olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the spinach and sprinkle with garlic powder. Stir occasionally until the spinach is fully wilted, then transfer it to a medium bowl.
- Make the Filling and Stuff Chicken: To the wilted spinach, add goat cheese and stir until well combined. Stuff each slit in the chicken breasts with this creamy spinach and goat cheese mixture.
- Caramelize Onions and Mushrooms: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the same skillet. Add the sliced onions, mushrooms, fresh thyme, and optional balsamic vinegar. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Sauté until the onions caramelize and the mushrooms turn golden brown, moving the mixture to the sides of the skillet to make space for the chicken.
- Sear and Bake Chicken: Place the stuffed chicken breasts in the skillet between the onions and mushrooms, ensuring space between each breast. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and is fully cooked through.
- Serve: Once baked, remove from oven and serve the chicken breasts topped or surrounded by the caramelized onions and mushrooms, hot and flavorful.
Notes
- You can substitute goat cheese with cream cheese for a milder flavor; for extra cheesiness, add ¼ cup mozzarella to the cream cheese mixture.
- Ensure not to cut all the way through the chicken breasts when making slits to keep the filling intact.
- Use an ovenproof skillet if possible to avoid transferring the contents to a baking dish.
- Check chicken temperature with a meat thermometer to guarantee it is fully cooked and safe to eat.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with toppings
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
