Baking Asparagus And Cheese Stuffed Chicken: Time And Tips

A delicious and easy weeknight dinner, asparagus and cheese stuffed chicken breast is a simple dish to make and only requires a handful of ingredients. This meal is perfect if you're looking for something tasty and healthy. The chicken is stuffed with asparagus and cheese, and then baked in the oven. The best oven temperature seems to be somewhere between 350-425˚F, and the chicken should be baked for 15-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 155-165˚F.

Chicken prep: how to cut and season the chicken

Cutting the chicken

The first step to preparing your chicken is to cut it into the desired shape. For this recipe, you will need to cut the chicken breasts in half, lengthwise. You can do this by placing the chicken breast on a cutting board and using a sharp knife to carefully slice through the meat. Try to make this cut in as few strokes as possible so that the meat looks smooth.

It is important to keep your fingers raised and out of the path of the knife to ensure safety. You can also place the chicken close to the edge of the cutting board to prevent your hand from bumping into the cutting surface.

Seasoning the chicken

Once you have cut your chicken, it is time to season it. For this recipe, you will need the following spices:

• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic powder
• Paprika
• Lemon zest

You can also add other spices like dried parsley, oregano, or red pepper flakes to taste. Mix these spices together in a small bowl and then rub them onto the chicken breasts, making sure to coat all sides evenly.

In addition to the spices, you will also need some olive oil to help the seasonings stick to the meat and add moisture. Drizzle the olive oil over the chicken and rub it in before applying the spice mixture.

Preparing the chicken for cooking

Before cooking, it is recommended to pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness. This helps the meat cook more evenly and prevents the thinner end from drying out while the thicker end finishes cooking. You can place the chicken breasts in a zip-top bag or between two sheets of parchment paper and use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound them to the desired thickness.

Cooking the chicken

Now your chicken is ready to be cooked! Follow the baking instructions provided in the original query for cooking time and temperature. Enjoy your delicious asparagus and cheese-stuffed chicken!

Stuffing ingredients: what to stuff the chicken with

There are endless options for stuffing ingredients to elevate the flavour of your chicken. Here are some ideas for ingredients to stuff your chicken with:

Vegetables

You can add almost any vegetables to your chicken stuffing. Some popular options include:

• Asparagus
• Spinach
• Kale
• Green beans
• Artichokes
• Sun-dried tomatoes
• Mushrooms
• Onions
• Sweetcorn
• Peppers

Cheese

Cheese is a great addition to chicken stuffing as it helps to bind the other ingredients together and adds a creamy texture and extra flavour. Some cheeses that work well in chicken stuffing include:

• Mozzarella
• Cream cheese
• Parmesan
• Cheddar
• Goat's cheese
• Feta
• Monterey Jack
• Havarti
• Provolone
• Swiss cheese

Meat

You can also add meat to your chicken stuffing for a more substantial meal. Some options include:

• Bacon
• Ham
• Corned beef

Other ingredients

There are also several other ingredients you can add to your chicken stuffing to enhance the flavour and texture:

• Herbs and spices such as garlic, basil, oregano, paprika, and red pepper flakes
• Breadcrumbs
• Lemon zest
• Olive oil

Cooking methods: how to cook the chicken

Firstly, preheat your oven to 425˚F (220˚F).

On a cutting board, cut the chicken breasts in half, lengthwise, leaving one side intact. You can also pound the chicken breasts with a meat mallet to an even thickness of about 1/4 inch.

Season the inside of the chicken with salt, pepper, and lemon zest. Then, lay 3-4 asparagus pieces and a slice of cheese (mozzarella, provolone, or cheddar) inside each chicken breast, and fold over, enclosing the filling. If needed, seal the edges with toothpicks.

In a small bowl, mix together salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Season the outside of the chicken breasts with this spice mixture.

Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat and add some olive oil. Sear the chicken for 3-5 minutes on each side, until golden brown.

Place the skillet in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 155˚F-165˚F (70˚C-74˚C).

Remove the skillet from the oven and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Remove the foil and serve.

Cooking times: how long to cook the chicken for

The cooking time for asparagus and cheese stuffed chicken breast will depend on the method of cooking and the temperature of the oven.

If you are cooking the chicken on a grill, it should take around 6-8 minutes on each side when using direct heat.

For an oven-baked asparagus and cheese-stuffed chicken breast, the cooking time will vary depending on the temperature of the oven and the thickness of the chicken breast.

At 375°F (190°C), the chicken should bake for around 25 minutes. At 400°F (200°C), the cooking time is around 15-20 minutes.

It is important to ensure that the chicken is cooked thoroughly before serving. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C). An instant-read thermometer can be used to check this.

Additionally, the thickness of the chicken breast will impact the cooking time. For a thicker chicken breast, it is recommended to pound the meat to an even thickness of about 1/4 inch. This will help ensure even cooking.

When cooking the chicken in a skillet on the stovetop, it should be cooked for 3-5 minutes on each side until golden brown.

To prevent the chicken from drying out, it is recommended to cover the skillet with aluminum foil when placing it in the oven. This will help retain moisture and prevent overcooking.

It is also important to note that the cooking time may vary slightly depending on the type of skillet or baking dish used.

Serving suggestions: what to serve with the chicken

There are several options you could choose to serve alongside asparagus and cheese-stuffed chicken breast. Here are some ideas:

Roasted Vegetables

Roasted vegetables such as asparagus, green beans, or acorn squash make a delicious and balanced accompaniment to the chicken.

Mashed Potatoes

Creamy mashed potatoes or roasted garlic mashed potatoes are a comforting and classic side dish that will complement the flavours of the chicken.

Mixed Green Salad

A simple mixed green salad, such as an arugula salad, is a fresh and healthy option to serve alongside the chicken.

Carbs

This chicken dish also goes well with some carbs, such as garlic pasta, fluffy rice, beans, couscous salad, or quinoa salad.

Roasted Potatoes or Rice

In particular, roasted potatoes or rice are great choices to serve with the chicken, providing a hearty and satisfying meal.

Frequently asked questions