Best Cheeses For Broccoli-Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Broccoli and cheese stuffed chicken breast is a tasty dish that is easy to make and is a great way to get your family to eat more vegetables. The chicken breasts are stuffed with a mixture of broccoli and cheese, and sometimes cream cheese, then seared in a skillet and baked in the oven. The chicken is seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika, and the broccoli is steamed or chopped into small pieces before being mixed with the cheese. This dish is a great option for a weeknight dinner as it is quick to prepare and can be made ahead of time.

How to prepare the chicken for stuffing

To prepare the chicken for stuffing, you'll first want to select large chicken breasts. Then, using a paring knife, cut a wide pocket into the side of each breast—be careful not to cut all the way through! Next, stuff each breast with an even amount of filling, ensuring you don't overstuff.

At this point, you can prepare the chicken for cooking. Heat some olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the stuffed chicken breasts on each side to brown, but avoid cooking all the way through. You may need to do this in batches, depending on the size of your skillet and chicken breasts. Place the chicken in the skillet and transfer it to the oven to bake.

As an alternative to searing and baking, you can wrap the chicken in bacon and cook it in a skillet.

How to make the broccoli and cheese filling

The broccoli and cheese filling is a simple yet delicious mixture that goes perfectly with the chicken. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make it:

Ingredients

Firstly, gather your ingredients. You will need:

• Broccoli florets
• Cheddar cheese (shredded)
• Cream cheese (softened or at room temperature)
• Garlic (minced)
• Salt and pepper to taste

You can also add other ingredients like mayonnaise, red bell peppers, or spices such as garlic powder, onion powder, or paprika for extra flavour.

Preparation

Now, let's prepare the filling:

• Chop the broccoli florets into small, fine pieces. This ensures they fit nicely inside the chicken pockets. You can steam or microwave the broccoli before chopping to ensure it's cooked through.
• In a large bowl, combine the shredded cheddar cheese, softened cream cheese, minced garlic, and salt and pepper. Mix these ingredients until they form a well-combined, creamy mixture.
• Add the chopped broccoli to the cheese mixture and stir until everything is combined.

Stuffing the Chicken

• Create a pocket in each chicken breast by cutting a deep slice lengthwise, being careful not to cut all the way through.
• Take the broccoli and cheese filling and generously stuff it into the pockets of the chicken breasts. Make sure not to overstuff, as this may cause the filling to spill out or not cook through properly.
• If needed, use toothpicks to secure the openings of the chicken breasts and prevent the filling from escaping.

And there you have it! Your broccoli and cheese filling is now ready to be cooked along with the chicken. Simply follow the remaining instructions for your chosen recipe to bake or pan-fry your delicious, stuffed chicken breasts.

How to cook the chicken

Firstly, you will need to butterfly the chicken breasts. This involves cutting through the chicken breasts horizontally, without cutting all the way through, and then opening them up like a book. You can also cut a pocket into the side of each breast, again, being careful not to cut all the way through. This will create a pocket for your filling.

Next, season the chicken. You can use a variety of seasonings, such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Rub the seasoning mixture over the chicken breasts and coat them evenly.

Now, it's time to make the filling. In a bowl, combine your chosen cheese (cream cheese, cheddar, or a mix of both) with chopped, steamed broccoli. You can also add other ingredients like garlic, mayo, red bell peppers, or spinach for extra flavour. Mix everything together until well combined.

Once your filling is ready, it's time to stuff the chicken breasts. Take each breast and stuff them with an even amount of the broccoli and cheese filling. Be careful not to overstuff, as you want to ensure the filling cooks all the way through.

Before cooking the chicken, you can wrap each breast with bacon strips. This step is optional but will add extra flavour and crispness to the dish.

Now, it's time to cook the chicken. Heat some olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken breasts and sear them for 2-4 minutes on each side until lightly browned. If your skillet is not oven-safe, you can sear the chicken first and then transfer it to an oven-safe dish.

After searing, transfer the skillet to the oven and bake at 375-400 degrees Fahrenheit for 25-35 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Finally, let the chicken rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy your delicious and juicy broccoli and cheese stuffed chicken breast!

What to serve with the chicken

There are a variety of sides that you can serve with broccoli-stuffed chicken breast. Here are some ideas:

• Rice pilaf
• Spinach strawberry salad
• Wedge salad
• Roasted potatoes
• Oven fries
• Tater tots
• Mashed potatoes
• Polenta
• Roasted vegetables
• Orzo salad
• Pasta salad
• Crispy bacon-wrapped asparagus bundles
• Parmesan roasted green beans
• Classic baked potatoes
• Garlic Parmesan rice
• Vegetable rice pilaf

How to store and reheat the chicken

Storing and reheating chicken is a crucial part of food safety and maintaining flavour. Here is a comprehensive guide on how to store and reheat your broccoli stuffed chicken breast:

Storing:

Leftover broccoli stuffed chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. If you wish to freeze it, wrap the chicken tightly in two layers of plastic wrap and one layer of aluminium foil. It can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Reheating:

To reheat, preheat your oven to 350°F and heat the chicken for 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through. If you are reheating from frozen, allow the chicken to thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Tips:

• It is important to ensure the chicken is thoroughly cooked before storing and reheating. Use an instant-read meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken has reached 165°F.
• To prevent the chicken from drying out, cover the pan loosely with foil.
• For even and quicker reheating, slice the chicken before reheating.
• If you are short on time, you can reheat the chicken in the microwave, ensuring it is heated through.

Frequently asked questions