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Cheesy spinach stuffed chicken breast seared golden in a cast iron skillet ready to serve

Cheesy Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Juicy chicken breasts stuffed with a creamy blend of cream cheese, mozzarella, parmesan, and fresh spinach. Seared golden on the stove then finished in the oven for a perfect 30-minute dinner.
Prep Time 7 minutes
Cook Time 23 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 320

Ingredients
  

  • 3 large boneless skinless chicken breasts 1 3/4 to 2 lbs, even-sized pieces
  • 0.75 tsp salt for seasoning outside of chicken
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
  • 0.5 tsp garlic powder
  • 0.5 tsp paprika
  • 1.5 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 oz cream cheese cold, block-style only
  • 1 tbsp mayonnaise
  • 2 garlic cloves pressed
  • 0.25 tsp salt for filling
  • 1.5 cups baby spinach leaves freshly chopped
  • 0.25 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 0.25 cup parmesan cheese shredded, freshly grated preferred

Equipment

  • Large oven-safe skillet or cast iron pan
  • Toothpicks
  • meat thermometer
  • mixing bowl
  • fork
  • sharp knife

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F with a rack positioned in the center. Allow oven to fully preheat before baking.
  2. In a mixing bowl, use a fork to mash together the cold cream cheese, mayonnaise, and pressed garlic until smooth. Stir in shredded mozzarella, parmesan, and chopped spinach until fully combined. Set aside.
  3. Lay each chicken breast flat on a cutting board. Cut a slit 3/4 of the way into the breast without cutting all the way through. Stuff each breast with one-third of the filling and seal the opening horizontally with a toothpick. Ensure the chicken can lay flat for even searing.
  4. Season the outside of each stuffed chicken breast generously on all sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
  5. Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and sear for 4 minutes per side without moving until deep golden brown.
  6. Flip one final time and immediately transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. Bake at 425°F for 10 to 15 minutes until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 165°F. Thicker breasts will need the full 15 minutes.
  7. Remove from oven and rest chicken for 5 minutes before slicing. Spoon pan juices over the top before serving.

Notes

Use even-sized chicken breasts for consistent cooking. Use cold block-style cream cheese only. Frozen spinach works if fully thawed and squeezed completely dry. Do not cut all the way through the chicken to prevent filling from leaking. Always use a meat thermometer. Spoon pan drippings over chicken when serving for maximum flavor.
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