Andy Montoya
Chicken breast is a versatile dish that can be cooked in a variety of ways. One popular recipe is to stuff the chicken breast with broccoli and cheese, sear it in a skillet, and then bake it in the oven. This dish is easy to make and can be customized with different types of cheese, such as cheddar or cream cheese, and additional ingredients like red bell peppers or spinach. It is a tasty, low-carb dinner option that can be served with rice or other sides. With simple ingredients and a straightforward cooking process, broccoli and cheese chicken breast is a convenient and flavorful meal for busy weeknights.
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the chicken breast
To prepare the chicken breast for a broccoli and cheese dish, you will first need to decide whether you want to stuff the chicken or simply top it with cheese and broccoli.
If you want to stuff the chicken, you will need to cut a wide pocket into each chicken breast, being careful not to cut all the way through. You can then stuff the chicken breast with a mixture of broccoli, cheese, and other ingredients of your choice, such as red bell peppers. Be careful not to overstuff the chicken, as this will prevent the filling from cooking all the way through.
If you prefer not to stuff the chicken, you can simply top the chicken breasts with a mixture of cream cheese, mayonnaise, shredded cheese, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and broccoli buds.
Once you have prepared the chicken breasts, you will need to season them. You can use a variety of seasonings, such as salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. You can also sear the chicken breasts in a skillet before baking to add extra flavor.
Finally, bake the chicken breasts in the oven until they are cooked through. The baking time will depend on the size of the chicken breasts and the temperature of the oven, but it usually takes around 20-35 minutes.
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Making the filling
Firstly, prepare the chicken breasts. You can either cut a pocket into the breasts, being careful not to cut all the way through, or slice them in half. If you are creating a pocket, stuff the filling inside, ensuring the chicken is pretty full but not overstuffed. If you have sliced the chicken, place the filling between the two pieces. The filling should consist of a mixture of broccoli, cheese, and cream cheese. You can also add other ingredients to the filling, such as red bell peppers, diced tomatoes, or garlic.
If you are using frozen broccoli, it is recommended to use fresh broccoli instead. However, if you only have access to frozen broccoli, you can microwave it for about a minute with a little water before using it in the filling. Chop the broccoli into small pieces to ensure even cooking.
For the cheese, shredded cheddar or a blend of cheeses can be used. The cheese can be mixed with cream cheese, mayonnaise, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to create a creamier filling.
Once your filling is prepared, you can stuff and cook the chicken.
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Stuffing the chicken
To make broccoli and cheese-stuffed chicken breasts, you'll first want to prepare your filling. This can be a simple mixture of broccoli and cheese, or you can add other ingredients like red bell peppers, diced tomatoes, or even some cream cheese, mayo, and garlic powder. Chop the broccoli into small pieces—there's no need to cook it first.
Next, prepare the chicken breasts. You'll want to cut a wide pocket into each breast, being careful not to cut all the way through. The pocket should be large enough to stuff with your filling. If you prefer, you can cut a slice through the middle of the chicken breast, creating a pocket for the filling, without cutting all the way through.
Now, it's time to stuff the chicken. Take your filling and stuff each chicken breast with an even amount. Be careful not to overstuff, as this may prevent the filling from cooking all the way through.
Once your chicken breasts are stuffed, you can sear them in a skillet. Heat two tablespoons of olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the stuffed chicken breasts for 2-3 minutes on each side until browned, but do not cook them all the way through. If you're working with a smaller skillet, you may need to sear the chicken in batches.
Finally, bake your stuffed chicken breasts. Place all the chicken breasts in the skillet and transfer to an oven preheated to between 375°F and 425°F. Bake for 25-35 minutes, or until the chicken and filling are cooked through. You can check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer—it should reach 165ºF.
Your broccoli and cheese-stuffed chicken breasts are now ready to serve!
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Baking the chicken
To bake the chicken, preheat your oven to a temperature between 375°F and 425°F. Place the chicken breasts in a large greased roasting dish. If you're using a cast iron skillet, you can sear the chicken for 3 to 4 minutes on each side before placing it in the oven. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
Next, you'll prepare the filling. In a bowl, combine chopped broccoli, shredded cheddar cheese, softened cream cheese, minced garlic, and salt and pepper to taste. You can also add mayo, onion powder, and olive oil to the mixture. Cut a pocket into the side of each chicken breast, being careful not to cut all the way through. Stuff the chicken breasts with the broccoli and cheese filling, ensuring they are full but not overstuffed.
Place the stuffed chicken breasts in the oven and bake for 20 minutes. Then, check the internal temperature and cover with foil. Bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. If you're using a lower oven temperature of 350°F, you may need to bake for a total of 35 to 40 minutes.
Your chicken is now ready to be served! You can enjoy it with sides such as rice, pasta, or a salad.
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Serving suggestions
Broccoli and cheese chicken breast is a tasty and easy-to-make dish. It can be served in a variety of ways and is a great option for a weeknight dinner. Here are some serving suggestions to make the most of this delicious meal:
- One-Pan Meal: This is a simple and satisfying option. Prepare a cheesy chicken, broccoli, and rice dish in a single pan. Start by sautéing onions in olive oil, then add chicken seasoned with salt and pepper. Once the chicken is browned, add garlic and uncooked rice to the pan. Finally, add broccoli and let it steam with the rice. Sprinkle cheddar cheese on top, cover, and let the cheese melt. This one-pan meal is not only tasty but also easy to clean up!
- Casserole: For a comforting and hearty meal, try making a chicken, broccoli, and cheddar casserole. Combine cooked chicken, broccoli, condensed soup, sour cream, pepper, and cheddar cheese in a casserole dish. Top with breadcrumbs and butter, and bake until bubbly and melted. This casserole can be made ahead of time and frozen for busy weeknights.
- Stir-Fry: For an Asian-inspired twist, create a chicken and broccoli stir-fry. Use chicken thighs or breasts, and cook them with a variety of vegetables, such as bell peppers, onions, snap peas, or asparagus. Make a sauce with chicken broth, soy sauce, garlic, cornstarch, ginger, and sesame oil. Serve over rice and sprinkle with sesame seeds. This dish is full of flavor and can be customized with your favorite vegetables.
- Sides: If you're looking for side dish options, consider rice pilaf, farro, or roasted vegetables. These sides can complement the flavors of the broccoli and cheese chicken breast, adding a bit of variety to your meal.
- Variations: You can also experiment with different variations of the stuffed chicken breast recipe. Try adding red bell peppers, diced tomatoes, or ranch powder to the broccoli and cheese filling. You can also use a blend of cheeses instead of just cheddar, such as cream cheese and mayonnaise. These variations can add a unique twist to the classic recipe and surprise your taste buds!
No matter which serving suggestion you choose, broccoli and cheese chicken breast is a versatile and tasty dish that can be tailored to your preferences. Enjoy experimenting with different ingredients and serving styles to create a meal that your family and friends will love!
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Frequently asked questions
You will need chicken breast, broccoli, cheese (cheddar and/or cream cheese), olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic. You can also add mayonnaise, paprika, and red bell peppers.
You will need a large oven-safe skillet, a sharp knife, a microwave, a roasting dish, and some plastic wrap.
First, cut a pocket into the chicken breast and stuff it with the broccoli and cheese filling. Then, sear the chicken breast in olive oil in a skillet. Finally, bake the chicken in the oven until it is cooked through.
