Baking Ham-Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breasts: Timing And Techniques

Ham and cheese stuffed chicken breasts are a delicious and easy meal to prepare for your family. The chicken is stuffed with ham and cheese and is often served with a creamy mustard or lemon butter sauce. The chicken is usually seasoned with salt and pepper, and sometimes other spices like paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. The chicken is typically browned in a skillet before being baked in the oven for around 15-20 minutes. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F when it is fully cooked. This dish can be served with a variety of sides, such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a baked potato.

Chicken preparation

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to prepare the chicken:

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Ham
• Cheese (provolone, Swiss, mozzarella, Colby jack, or goat cheese)
• Salt and pepper
• Olive oil
• Butter
• Garlic
• Flour
• Chicken broth
• Lemon juice

Creating the Pockets

Lay the chicken breasts flat on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut a horizontal pocket into each breast, ensuring you don't cut all the way through. The pocket should be cut parallel to the cutting board and remain connected on three sides.

Seasoning and Stuffing

Lightly beat the chicken breasts with a meat mallet and season both sides with salt and pepper. You can also use other seasonings like paprika, garlic powder, or Italian seasoning. Next, stuff each chicken breast with two slices of ham and two slices of cheese, or adjust the amount to fit your preference. You can also add a teaspoon of Dijon mustard inside each breast for a richer flavor. Secure the pockets with toothpicks, ensuring you remove them before serving.

Searing the Chicken

Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully add the chicken to the skillet and cook for about 6 minutes on each side until golden and crispy. This step will add a beautiful color to your chicken and enhance its flavor.

Baking

Preheat your oven to 375-400°F. Transfer the chicken to an oven-safe dish if you don't have an oven-safe skillet. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 15-20 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F when it's done. Be careful not to overcook the chicken, as it may dry out and lose its juiciness.

Ham and cheese stuffing

Ham and cheese stuffed chicken breasts are a great way to add a wow factor to your chicken recipes. The stuffing is easy to make and can be prepared with ingredients that are already in your refrigerator.

To make the ham and cheese stuffing, you will need:

• Ham: You can use any type of ham you like. It is recommended to use thinly sliced ham, such as off-the-bone ham or honey ham.
• Cheese: Provolone, mozzarella, Colby jack, or Swiss cheese are great options, but you can use your favourite cheese. Grated cheese may require more careful handling to prevent it from oozing out of the chicken pocket.
• Seasoning: You can season the chicken with salt and pepper, or get creative with seasonings like paprika, garlic powder, or Italian seasoning.
• Mustard: Dijon mustard can be added to the stuffing or smeared inside the chicken pocket before adding the ham and cheese. It adds a rich flavour and moisture to the chicken.

• Mix the cheese, ham, mustard (if using), and any desired seasonings in a small bowl.
• Cut a horizontal slit along the thin, long edge of the chicken breast, being careful not to cut all the way through.
• Open up the slit to create a pocket and stuff the filling inside.
• Close the pocket by pressing the edges of the chicken breast firmly together. You can use toothpicks to secure the pocket, but remember to remove them before serving.

Now your ham and cheese stuffed chicken breasts are ready to be cooked! You can follow the baking instructions provided in the previous response or get creative with your own cooking methods. Enjoy your delicious and impressive meal!

Seasoning and coating

The seasoning and coating of your ham and cheese stuffed chicken breast is a crucial step in elevating the flavours and creating a mouthwatering dish. Here is a detailed guide to help you achieve the perfect seasoning and coating:

Step 1: Seasoning the Chicken

Begin by lightly beating the chicken breasts with a meat mallet to tenderise the meat and create an even thickness. This step also helps create pockets for stuffing. Then, season both sides of the chicken breasts with a generous amount of salt and pepper, according to your taste. You can also add other seasonings such as onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, or Italian seasoning to enhance the flavour.

Step 2: Stuffing the Chicken

Create an opening or pocket in each chicken breast. You can do this by cutting a horizontal slit along the thin, long edge of the chicken breast, being careful not to cut all the way through. The pocket should be large enough to stuff with the ham and cheese. Add your favourite cheese, such as provolone, mozzarella, Colby jack, or Swiss cheese, and thinly sliced ham to your liking. You can also add a smear of Dijon mustard inside each breast for a richer flavour. Secure the pockets with toothpicks to prevent the cheese from oozing out during cooking.

Step 3: Coating the Chicken

In a small bowl, prepare a mixture of breadcrumbs, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. You can also add other seasonings of your choice to the mixture. Hold each stuffed chicken breast and dip it into the egg white, and then dredge it in the breadcrumb mixture. Make sure to coat the chicken breasts evenly on all sides.

Step 4: Browning the Chicken

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Once the oil is hot, carefully place the coated chicken breasts into the skillet. Cook for about 4-6 minutes on each side until the chicken is golden brown. You may need to cook the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding the skillet. Remove the chicken breasts from the skillet once they are browned.

Step 5: Baking the Chicken

Preheat your oven to 375-400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the browned chicken breasts on a baking sheet or in an oven-safe skillet. Bake the chicken for about 15-20 minutes, or until it is fully cooked. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165-170 degrees Fahrenheit when it is done. Remove the toothpicks before serving.

Remember to be creative and experiment with different seasonings and coatings to find your perfect combination. Enjoy your delicious ham and cheese stuffed chicken breast!

Baking

Ingredients

• Chicken breasts
• Ham
• Cheese
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Garlic
• Lemon juice
• Butter
• Flour
• Chicken broth

Optional Ingredients

• Toothpicks
• Mustard
• Breadcrumbs
• Eggs
• Thyme
• Dijon mustard
• Paprika
• Onion powder

Method

• Preheat the oven to 375-400°F.
• Lightly beat the chicken breasts with a meat mallet and season with salt and pepper.
• Cut a pocket into each chicken breast, being careful not to cut all the way through.
• Stuff each pocket with cheese and ham.
• Seal the pockets with toothpicks (optional).
• Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Place the chicken in the skillet and cook for 6 minutes on each side, or until golden.
• Remove the chicken from the skillet and add butter and garlic to the pan. Saute for 1 minute.
• Add flour and mix. Then, add chicken broth, lemon juice, and season with salt and pepper. Simmer until thickened.
• Add the chicken back to the skillet, pour the sauce over it, and cover with foil.
• Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F.

Tips

• Use large, boneless, and skinless chicken breasts for easier stuffing and even cooking.
• Use your favourite type of cheese, but avoid grated cheese as it may ooze out.
• Don't overcook the chicken, as it will become dry.
• If your skillet is not oven-safe, transfer the chicken to a casserole dish before baking.
• You can use a variety of seasonings, such as paprika, Italian seasoning, or Cajun seasoning.
• Don't forget to remove the toothpicks before serving!

Sauce

The sauce is a key component of the ham and cheese stuffed chicken breast recipe, adding flavour and moisture to the dish. Here is a detailed guide to making the sauce:

Ingredients

The sauce ingredients include butter, garlic, flour, chicken broth, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Some recipes also include olive oil and fresh thyme. For a mustard cream sauce, use heavy cream, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and grated Parmesan cheese.

Preparation

Start by adding butter to the skillet and sautéing garlic for a minute. Then, add flour and mix vigorously. Next, pour in the chicken broth and lemon juice, whisking continuously. Season with salt and pepper, and simmer until the sauce starts to thicken. For a mustard cream sauce, mix the ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 30-second intervals until smooth and warmed.

Serving

Once the chicken is baked, pour the sauce over the stuffed chicken breasts. For the mustard cream sauce, you can pour it over the chicken or serve it as a dipping sauce. Don't forget to remove the toothpicks before serving!

Frequently asked questions