Randy Chandler
Chicken stuffed with asparagus and cheese is a juicy, tender, and delicious meal that can be prepared in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy evenings. This low-carb, keto-friendly dish is packed with nutrients and can be made with various ingredients, such as mozzarella, cheddar, or provolone cheese, and seasoned with garlic powder, paprika, thyme, oregano, and salt. The chicken is butterflied, stuffed, and secured with toothpicks before being seared in a skillet and baked in the oven until cooked through. The final touch is a drizzle of fresh lemon juice, resulting in a mouthwatering meal that's sure to impress.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Chicken breast, asparagus, cheese, olive oil, toothpicks, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, thyme, oregano, sun-dried tomatoes, bread crumbs, mayonnaise, chili powder, brown sugar, all-purpose flour, chicken broth, parsley, cognac, unsalted butter |
| Oven Temperature | 350-400°F |
| Bake Time | 15-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F |
| Preparation | Butterfly the chicken breast, season, stuff with cheese and asparagus, secure with toothpicks, sear in a skillet, then bake |
| Nutrition Information | Calories: 277-543 kcal, Carbohydrates: 7-9g, Protein: 33-62g, Fat: 13-28g, Sugar: 4-5g, Vitamin A: 895-1188 IU, Vitamin C: 5-6.8mg, Calcium: 168-328mg, Iron: 2.3-3mg |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the chicken breasts
Once the chicken breasts are butterflied, you can begin to stuff them. Place 2-4 asparagus spears down the center of each breast, along with 2 slices of cheese, such as mozzarella or cheddar. You can also add other ingredients like sun-dried tomatoes or pepper strips. Then, fold the chicken over and secure it with toothpicks or long wooden picks to keep the stuffing from falling out.
Before cooking, it is important to season the chicken breasts generously. You can use a variety of seasonings, such as Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper. Combine these spices in a small bowl and rub them onto each side of the chicken. You can also try more unique seasonings, such as brown sugar, chili powder, or onion powder.
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Making the filling
To make the filling for asparagus and cheese-stuffed chicken, you'll need asparagus, cheese, and some additional ingredients for seasoning and garnish.
Firstly, trim and wash the asparagus stalks. Thinner, smaller stalks of asparagus are preferable, as they cook faster and turn out more tender. You can also cut the stalks into smaller pieces. Next, prepare the cheese. Most recipes suggest using mozzarella, but you can substitute it with another type of cheese, such as provolone, cheddar, or Swiss cheese. If you want to add extra ingredients to the filling, you can include sun-dried tomatoes, pepper strips, or other vegetables like green beans, broccoli, or zucchini.
Once you have prepared the ingredients, assemble the filling. Take a slice of mozzarella and add 3 sprigs of asparagus, along with any additional ingredients of your choice. Roll the cheese around the asparagus to hold them inside. Repeat this process for each chicken breast you plan to stuff. If you prefer a more saucy filling, you can create a mixture of unsalted butter, all-purpose flour, chicken broth, and dry cognac. This sauce can be poured over the chicken after cooking or used as a dip.
If you want to add seasoning to the filling, you can sprinkle the asparagus and cheese with dried Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper before rolling them together. Alternatively, you can create a rub by combining brown sugar, chili powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Then, rub this mixture generously over the assembled filling before stuffing the chicken.
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Seasoning
Preparing the Chicken
Before seasoning, it is recommended to butterfly the chicken breasts. Place your hand on top of the chicken breast and cut down the centre, almost all the way through, leaving the chicken in one piece. Open it up and lay it flat, creating a butterfly wing-like shape. This technique ensures even cooking and provides a good base for stuffing and seasoning.
Dry Rub Seasoning
In a small bowl, combine a variety of spices and herbs such as brown sugar, chilli powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and oregano. Mix these ingredients well. Generously rub this spice mixture on both sides of the butterflied chicken breasts. Make sure to get into the crevices and coat the chicken evenly. The brown sugar in the rub will caramelise during cooking, creating a delicious sauce that adds moisture to the chicken.
Additional Seasonings
In addition to the dry rub, you can also enhance the flavour of the dish by brining the chicken before cooking. Brining can boost the overall flavour and juiciness of the meat. Furthermore, adding herbs and spices, or even citrus fruits, during the cooking process will further elevate the taste. For example, you can stuff the chicken with sun-dried tomatoes or pepper strips, adding a burst of flavour to the dish.
Cheese and Other Ingredients
The type of cheese used can also impact the overall seasoning of the dish. While mozzarella is a popular choice, you can experiment with other cheeses like cheddar, provolone, or Parmesan, each bringing their unique flavour profile. Additionally, you can brush the chicken breasts with mayonnaise before sprinkling breadcrumbs on top, creating a crispy and flavourful coating.
Oven-Baking
Finally, after seasoning and stuffing the chicken, transfer it to a preheated oven and bake until cooked to perfection. The ideal internal temperature for the chicken is 165°F (74°C) to ensure it is cooked through and safe to consume.
Feel free to experiment with different seasonings and ingredients to create your unique twist on this delicious chicken stuffed with asparagus and cheese!
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Cooking the chicken
To cook asparagus and cheese-stuffed chicken, start by preparing the chicken breasts. Place your hand on top of each chicken breast and cut down the centre, only going about 3/4 of the way through. When you open it up, it should look like butterfly wings.
Next, season the chicken. You can use a variety of seasonings, such as Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Be generous and season both sides of the chicken breast.
Now it's time to stuff the chicken. Place 2-4 asparagus spears down the centre of each chicken breast, along with 2 slices of cheese. You can use mozzarella, cheddar, or any white cheese of your choice. If you like, you can also add sun-dried tomatoes to the filling. Once you've added your fillings, fold the chicken over and secure it with toothpicks.
To cook the chicken, heat some olive oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken to the skillet and sear for 2-5 minutes on each side, until golden brown. Be gentle when flipping the chicken so that the stuffing doesn't fall out.
Finally, transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F when it's done. Remove the toothpicks before serving.
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Making the sauce
Now for the sauce. This is a great sauce to make as it uses the juices and flavours from the cooked chicken. First, take the chicken out of the skillet and put it aside to rest. Pour out any excess oil, but keep the browned bits in the skillet. Add a splash of cognac to the pan and scrape the bottom to loosen up the cooked-on bits. Next, add a knob of butter and stir until melted. You can add a little flour at this point to thicken the sauce, stirring until the flour is combined with the fats. Then, slowly whisk in some chicken broth and simmer until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
You can also add some fresh, flat-leaf parsley to garnish. If you want to add a little more spice, try a seasoning rub of chilli powder, garlic powder, brown sugar, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. This will add a lovely flavour to the sauce and create a delicious glaze for the chicken.
If you want to keep it simple, a drizzle of lemon juice or some melted butter over the chicken will create a tasty, light sauce.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes about 30 minutes to cook chicken stuffed with asparagus and cheese. This includes the time taken to sear the chicken in a skillet and then bake it in the oven.
You will need chicken breasts, asparagus, cheese, olive oil, and seasonings such as garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. You can also add sun-dried tomatoes, bread crumbs, and mayonnaise.
Preheat your oven to 375-400 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut a pocket into each chicken breast and season with garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stuff the chicken breasts with asparagus and cheese, then secure with toothpicks. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken for 3-5 minutes on each side until golden brown. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 15- 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Yes, you can make this dish in an air fryer. One person who tried out the recipe reported that it took 25 minutes to cook in their Ninja Foodi XL air fryer.
