Bushra Griffith
Goat cheese stuffed chicken is a versatile, easy-to-make, and delicious dish. The creamy goat cheese filling adds a unique flavor and moisture to the chicken. The recipe is simple and can be made in a single skillet, making it a perfect option for a quick weeknight meal or a fancy dinner. The chicken is stuffed with goat cheese and baked to perfection, resulting in a golden, crispy skin and a mouthwatering taste. With a few simple ingredients and minimal preparation time, this dish is a true delight for any occasion.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Dish | Main Course |
| Cuisine | American |
| Main Ingredients | Chicken Breasts, Goat Cheese |
| Other Ingredients | Olive Oil, Salt, Pepper, Spinach, Basil, Honey, Walnuts, Balsamic Vinegar |
| Equipment | Skillet, Oven, Meat Thermometer |
| Flavor | Tangy, Creamy, Crispy |
| Difficulty Level | Easy |
| Preparation Time | 5 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 18-45 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the chicken breast
The next step is to stuff the chicken with the goat cheese. You can use a goat cheese mixture, or simply thick slices of goat cheese, depending on your preference. For a 4-ounce chicken breast, you'll want about 2 tablespoons of cheese or two thick slices. Spread the cheese out over the chicken, pressing it into the pocket you've made. If you're feeling adventurous, you can add some baby spinach, basil, or walnuts to the goat cheese for an extra flavour boost.
Once the chicken is stuffed, it's time to season. Pat the chicken dry and then sprinkle with salt and pepper, or a seasoning of your choice. You can also drizzle the chicken with olive oil at this point, which will help with browning and add some extra flavour.
Finally, the chicken is ready to cook. You can sear the chicken in a skillet before transferring to the oven, or simply place it directly into a preheated oven. The cooking time will vary depending on the size of your chicken breasts and your chosen cooking method, but on average, it should take around 18-20 minutes in the oven at 350-375°F.
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Making the goat cheese filling
First, cut the goat cheese into thick slices. You can crumble the goat cheese into a bowl and add other ingredients to make a goat cheese mixture. Some recipes call for adding basil, walnuts, thyme, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper to the mixture. You can also add a little parmesan cheese to the filling for extra savory, salty flavor. If you want to add a kick of heat, add some red pepper flakes to the filling. Once you have your desired mixture, you can start stuffing the chicken breasts.
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Stuffing the chicken breast
To make goat cheese-stuffed chicken breasts, you'll need to carefully cut a pocket into each chicken breast, stuff it with goat cheese, and then bake it in the oven.
Firstly, use a paring knife to cut a slit into the thick side of each chicken breast. Be careful not to cut through to the back of the breast. You can then use your fingers to create a pocket, or carefully use the knife. For a different presentation, you can also try the hasselback style: cut 6 slits into the top of each chicken breast, making sure not to cut all the way through.
Next, stuff each pocket with the goat cheese mixture. You can simply use plain goat cheese, or mix it with other ingredients such as basil, walnuts, thyme, salt and pepper, and crushed red pepper. You'll want to use about 2 tablespoons of the mixture for each breast, divided evenly. Press the mixture into the pockets.
Pat the chicken dry on all sides and season with salt and pepper. If you're using the hasselback style, drizzle each chicken breast with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
Finally, place the chicken breasts skin-side down in a heated, oven-safe skillet and cook for about 5 minutes. Then, transfer the skillet to the oven and bake until the chicken is cooked through. Depending on your oven temperature and whether you're using the skillet, this should take 18 to 20 minutes, or 30 to 35 minutes at 375°F. You can check if the chicken is done by using a meat thermometer, or by making sure the chicken is no longer pink inside and the juices run clear.
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Cooking the chicken
Now, it's time to cook the chicken. Heat some olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken breasts skin-side down in the skillet and sear for about 5 minutes. Then, transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake until the chicken is cooked through. The baking time will vary depending on the recipe, ranging from 18 to 45 minutes. You can check if the chicken is done by using a meat thermometer or ensuring the juices run clear.
For an extra crispy skin, you can pan-sear the chicken after removing it from the oven. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. This dish pairs well with various sides, such as roasted tomatoes, wilted spinach, or linguine in garlic butter.
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Serving suggestions
Goat cheese-stuffed chicken is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of sides. Here are some serving suggestions to complement the creamy, tangy, and savoury flavours of the stuffed chicken:
Vegetables
Steamed or sautéed vegetables such as spinach, mushrooms, and onions can be a great way to add some extra nutrition and flavour to the dish. Caramelized onions and mushrooms, in particular, can provide a savoury and slightly sweet contrast to the creamy goat cheese. You can also try serving the chicken with wilted spinach, which would pair well with the balsamic reduction in the stuffed chicken. If you're looking for something a little more indulgent, try serving it with a side of garlic butter linguine and the rest of the goat cheese.
Potatoes
New potatoes or Jersey Royals go well with the dish, providing a hearty and comforting element to the meal.
Bread
A slice of good bread, such as a crusty baguette or a soft roll, can be a great way to soak up any juices or sauces from the chicken and balance out the richness of the dish.
Salads
A fresh and crisp salad could also be a nice accompaniment to the stuffed chicken. Try a simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette, or something with a bit more texture and flavour, like a tomato and courgette salad, dressed with olive oil, salt, pepper, and thyme.
Meat
For a heartier meal, consider serving the goat cheese-stuffed chicken with bacon. The savoury, crispy bacon will complement the juicy chicken and creamy goat cheese.
No matter which sides you choose, this goat cheese-stuffed chicken recipe is sure to impress and can be easily adapted to your taste preferences and dietary needs.
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Frequently asked questions
First, preheat your oven to 350-375°F. Cut a slit in each chicken breast and create a pocket. Stuff the pockets with a goat cheese mixture and seal them with toothpicks or kitchen twine. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and sear in a skillet for 5 minutes. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 18-40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
You will need chicken breasts, goat cheese, olive oil, salt, and pepper. You can also add herbs, spices, and other ingredients like spinach, basil, walnuts, honey, or balsamic vinegar.
The total cooking time is approximately 25-45 minutes. This includes 5 minutes to sear the chicken in a skillet and 18-40 minutes to bake it in the oven.
Goat cheese stuffed chicken is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of sides. Some options include oven-roasted tomatoes, wilted spinach, mushrooms, garlic butter linguine, or a green salad.
You can use a meat thermometer to check if your chicken is cooked through. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken breast and make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Alternatively, you can cut into the chicken to check that it is no longer pink and the juices run clear.
