Kamil Perry
Broccoli Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breast is a delicious, tender, and juicy dish that is surprisingly easy to make. With a few simple ingredients and a few minutes to prepare, you can have a tasty and satisfying low-carb dinner that the whole family will love. This recipe is a great way to sneak some veggies into your meal, and the creamy cheese filling ensures that it melts in your mouth. You can even make it ahead of time and pop it into the oven when you're ready to eat. So, if you're looking for a new family favourite, this could be the one!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Chicken, Broccoli, Cheese, Cream Cheese, Olive Oil, Salt, Black Pepper, Onion Powder, Paprika, Garlic Powder, Red Bell Peppers, Toothpicks, Bacon, Mashed Potato, Brown Rice, Grilled Asparagus, Candied Carrots, Pasta, Low-carb Baked Zucchini Fries, Creamy Cucumber Salad, Spinach, Mushrooms, Sundried Tomatoes, Garlic Bread, Veggie Rice Pilaf, Classic Caesar Salad |
| Preparation | Slice chicken breast horizontally, being careful not to cut all the way through, creating a pocket for the filling. Stuff the chicken with an even amount of broccoli and cheese filling. Sear the chicken in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat with olive oil for 2-3 minutes on each side. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake at 375°F-425°F for 25-35 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through. |
| Serving Suggestions | The broccoli cheese stuffed chicken breast can be served on its own or with sides such as mashed potato, brown rice, grilled asparagus, candied carrots, pasta, low-carb baked zucchini fries, or creamy cucumber salad. |
| Storage | Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days-4 days. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months. |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the filling
- Broccoli
- Cheese (cheddar, cream cheese, parmesan, or any shredded cheese of your choice)
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Mayo (optional)
- Bell peppers (optional)
You can use either fresh or frozen broccoli for this recipe. If you opt for frozen broccoli, simply thaw the chopped florets and pat them dry with a paper towel before adding them to the filling mixture. Chop the broccoli into small pieces and place them in a microwave-safe bowl. Add about 2 tablespoons of water, cover the bowl, and microwave for around 3 minutes or until the broccoli is tender. Drain any excess water.
Next, prepare the cheese mixture. In a large bowl, combine the shredded cheese, cream cheese, salt, and pepper. Stir until well-combined. You can adjust the seasoning to your taste preferences. If you like spicy food, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
Once the broccoli is cooked and drained, add it to the cheese mixture. Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika, and mayo (if using). Mix everything together until well-combined. If you want to add some extra vegetables, you can also stir in chopped bell peppers or other veggies of your choice, such as spinach, mushrooms, or sundried tomatoes.
Now that your filling is ready, it's time to stuff the chicken breasts. Use a sharp knife to cut a deep pocket in each chicken breast, being careful not to cut all the way through to the other side. Divide the broccoli and cheese filling evenly among the chicken breasts, pressing it firmly into each pocket.
And that's it! Your filling is now ready to be cooked along with the chicken.
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Stuffing the chicken
To make broccoli and cheese stuffed chicken breasts, you'll need to slice the chicken breasts to create a pocket for the filling. Be careful not to cut all the way through the chicken breast. You can also slice the breasts in half to create a top and bottom, then place the filling inside and fold the halves together.
Once you've created the pocket, stuff each chicken breast with an even amount of the broccoli and cheese filling. The chicken breasts should be pretty full, but don't overstuff them, or the filling won't cook all the way through. You can use any shredded cheese you like, such as cheddar, cream cheese, or a combination of sharp cheddar and parmesan. If you want to add extra vegetables, spinach, mushrooms, and sun-dried tomatoes are great options.
After stuffing the chicken, you can secure the openings with kitchen string or toothpicks to keep them closed while cooking. You can also wrap the stuffed chicken breasts in bacon before baking for extra flavour.
Finally, season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. You can also try other seasonings like onion powder or Italian seasoning.
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Seasoning the chicken
Another option for seasoning the chicken is to use a dry rub or seasoning salt. This can be a store-bought blend or a homemade mixture. Some common ingredients in dry rubs include garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and other herbs and spices. Applying a dry rub to the chicken before cooking adds a flavourful crust to the exterior of the chicken.
Additionally, you can also enhance the seasoning by adding spices to the filling mixture. This is especially effective if you want the broccoli and cheese filling to have a bolder flavour. Common spices used in the filling include garlic powder, salt, and pepper. You can also experiment with other spices like red pepper flakes or Italian seasoning to give the filling a unique twist.
When seasoning the chicken, it is important to consider the overall flavour profile you want to achieve. For a classic, simple flavour, a combination of salt and pepper is effective. If you're looking for something more complex, you can experiment with different spice blends or even add fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, or rosemary. Just be mindful of the other ingredients in the dish, such as the cheese and broccoli, and choose seasonings that complement those flavours.
Lastly, don't be afraid to get creative with your seasonings. If you're feeling adventurous, you can try experimenting with different spice blends or even adding a splash of lemon juice or balsamic vinegar to the chicken before cooking. Just remember to taste as you go and adjust the seasonings to your liking. With a little trial and error, you'll be able to create a stuffed chicken breast with broccoli and cheese that is perfectly seasoned to your taste.
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Sear the chicken
Now it's time to sear the chicken. Warm a large oven-safe skillet with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and place it over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, carefully add the stuffed chicken breasts. Sear the chicken for 3 minutes on one side, then flip it and sear for an additional 2 to 3 minutes. If you are using a smaller skillet, sear 2 breasts at a time so as not to crowd the pan. You may need to do this in two batches depending on the size of your chicken breasts.
The chicken should be nicely browned on both sides. It is important not to cook the chicken all the way through at this stage. The breasts should be golden and slightly browned on the bottom.
Once seared, transfer the chicken breasts to the prepared baking sheet or leave them in the skillet, depending on the recipe you are following. The skillet can be placed directly into the oven to finish cooking.
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Baking the chicken
Once you've stuffed your chicken breasts with a mixture of broccoli, cheese, and other ingredients, you're ready to bake them to perfection.
Before baking, it's important to sear the chicken breasts in a skillet to brown them. Heat 2 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 golden brown, but do not cook them all the way through. This step adds a delicious outer crust to your chicken and locks in the juices.
Now, let's move on to the baking process. Preheat your oven to a temperature between 375°F and 425°F, depending on your preference and the size of your chicken breasts. Place the seared chicken breasts in a skillet or on a baking sheet and transfer them to the oven. Bake for 20 to 35 minutes, or until the chicken and filling are cooked through. The larger or thicker your chicken breasts, the longer they will take to bake.
To ensure your chicken is fully cooked, use a meat thermometer to check that the thickest part of the chicken has reached 165°F. If you've wrapped your chicken breasts in bacon or tied them with kitchen string, remove the bacon or string before serving.
Your broccoli and cheese-stuffed chicken breasts are now ready to be served! Enjoy them with a side of your choice, such as mashed potatoes, rice, or grilled asparagus.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need chicken breasts, broccoli, cheese (cheddar, parmesan, or cream cheese), olive oil, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Use a sharp knife to cut a deep pocket into each chicken breast, being careful not to cut all the way through.
Mix the broccoli with cheese, salt, and pepper. Then, stuff each chicken breast with an even amount of the broccoli and cheese filling.
Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the stuffed chicken breasts for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake at 375-425 degrees F for 20-35 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked.
The stuffed chicken breasts can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3- 4 days.
