Quickly Reheat Broccoli-Cheese Stuffed Chicken: How Long?

Broccoli and cheese stuffed chicken is a tasty and nutritious meal that can be reheated and enjoyed for several days after preparation. To ensure the chicken is warmed through, it should be reheated in an oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes. Alternatively, an air fryer can be used at the same temperature for 3-5 minutes. For microwave reheating, use 50% power in 1-minute increments until warmed throughout.

How to butterfly chicken breasts

Butterflying chicken breasts is a great way to ensure your meat cooks evenly and quickly. It's a simple technique that can be applied to other meats, such as lamb, pork, veal and turkey. Here's how to do it:

Step 1: Prepare Your Work Area and Chicken

Use a designated cutting board for raw meat. Place the chicken breast on the board with the skin side down. If the chicken breast has skin attached, loosen it with your fingers and remove it. Flatten the chicken breast with your hand.

Step 2: Cut the Chicken Breast

Using a sharp knife, such as a boning knife or a chef's knife, insert the knife into the middle of the thickest part of the chicken breast. Cut horizontally, almost to the other side. Be careful not to cut all the way through. The chicken breast should now open up like a book.

Step 3: Pound the Chicken (Optional)

If you want to make the chicken breast even thinner, place it inside a plastic bag or between two sheets of plastic wrap. Using a meat mallet, pound the meat from the centre outwards until it is about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick, or the thickness required for your recipe.

Step 4: Stuff and Cook

You can now stuff your chicken breast with your chosen filling and cook it. Butterflied chicken is suitable for barbecuing, griddling, pan-frying, or baking.

How to make the broccoli and cheese filling

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make the broccoli and cheese filling:

• Broccoli: Fresh or frozen broccoli can be used. Chop the broccoli into small, uniform pieces to ensure even cooking.
• Cheese: Cheddar cheese is a popular choice, but you can also use cream cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, or a combination of cheeses.
• Seasonings: This can include salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
• Other add-ins: You can also add ingredients like red bell peppers, diced tomatoes, mayonnaise, or Greek yogurt for extra flavour and moisture.

Preparation

• Prepare the broccoli: If using frozen broccoli, thaw and drain it. If using fresh broccoli, rinse and trim the stems. Chop the broccoli into small, uniform pieces to ensure they fit inside the chicken and cook evenly. You can steam, simmer, or microwave the broccoli until tender but still firm.
• Make the cheese sauce: Create a simple cheese sauce by melting butter or combining milk and cornstarch in a skillet. Add the shredded cheese and mix until melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Combine broccoli and cheese: In a bowl, mix the cooked broccoli with the prepared cheese sauce. You can also add other ingredients like diced tomatoes, red bell peppers, or mayonnaise at this stage.
• Stuff the chicken: Cut a wide pocket into the side of each chicken breast, being careful not to cut all the way through. Stuff each chicken breast with an even amount of broccoli and cheese filling. Don't overstuff, as the filling may not cook through.

The broccoli and cheese filling is now ready to be used in your broccoli and cheese-stuffed chicken recipe!

How to cook the chicken in an oven

How to Cook Chicken in an Oven

Ingredients and Preparation

To cook chicken in an oven, you will need:

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Olive oil or butter
• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic powder
• Paprika
• Other seasonings of your choice (e.g. onion powder, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, etc.)

Optional ingredients include:

• Toothpicks to secure the chicken
• Meat tenderizer to thin out the chicken
• Meat thermometer to check if the chicken is cooked

First, preheat your oven to between 350°F and 450°F. While the oven is heating up, mix your chicken breasts with olive oil, herbs, and spices. You can also brine the chicken for 15 minutes before this step to make it extra juicy.

Cooking

Place the chicken on a greased baking pan and cook for 15-35 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken breasts and the temperature of the oven. For example, at 400°F, it will take 22-26 minutes, while at 450°F, it will take 15-18 minutes. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Serving

Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. You can serve it as is, or slice it up and drizzle with the juices from the pan.

Storage

Cooked chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

How to store and reheat the chicken

Storing and reheating broccoli and cheese stuffed chicken is simple. If you're planning to eat your leftovers within a few days, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 5 days.

If you want to freeze your stuffed chicken, wrap it tightly in two layers of plastic wrap and one layer of aluminium foil. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you're ready to eat it, let the chicken thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

To reheat your broccoli and cheese stuffed chicken, pop it in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through. You can also reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave, but these methods may dry out the chicken. If your chicken starts to brown too quickly in the oven, cover the pan with foil to prevent burning.

What to serve with the chicken

There are many side dishes that you can serve with broccoli and cheese stuffed chicken. Here are some ideas:

• Salads: A side salad is always a refreshing option to pair with a hearty main course like stuffed chicken. You can keep it simple with a classic garden salad or get creative with different ingredients and dressings.
• Roasted Vegetables: Roasted vegetables, such as cauliflower, asparagus, green beans, or broccoli, make a great healthy side dish. You can season them with herbs, garlic, or a drizzle of olive oil to enhance their flavour.
• Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes are a classic comfort food and go well with the cheesy goodness of the stuffed chicken. You can even add some garlic or herbs to your mashed potatoes for an extra flavour boost.
• Baked Potatoes: For a heartier option, serve baked potatoes with all the fixings. This can include butter, sour cream, chives, bacon bits, and shredded cheese.
• Rice Pilaf: Rice pilaf, such as garlic parmesan rice or vegetable rice pilaf, adds a tasty carbohydrate component to your meal. It complements the chicken and provides a nice texture contrast.
• Pasta: Try serving an orzo salad or pasta salad on the side. If you prefer a hot pasta dish, you can prepare pasta with a creamy sauce or a tomato-based sauce to go along with your chicken.
• Polenta: For something a little different, consider serving polenta as a side dish. It has a soft and creamy texture that pairs well with the stuffed chicken.

Frequently asked questions