Stuffed Chicken
A sophisticated comfort food, this Ruth's Chris-style stuffed chicken features creamy cheese and fresh spinach, all wrapped in juicy chicken breasts, with a bright lemon pan sauce.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened light cream cheese works but may be looser
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped squeeze out excess moisture if very wet; frozen spinach thawed and drained can be used
- 1 tsp garlic powder or 1–2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth can substitute white wine or a mix of broth + splash of wine
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice about half a lemon
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese for finishing
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Pat chicken breasts dry and use a sharp knife to cut a horizontal pocket into the thickest part of each breast, taking care not to cut through the edges.
- In a bowl, combine softened cream cheese, chopped spinach, shredded mozzarella, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning until uniformly mixed. Taste and adjust salt/pepper if desired.
- Generously fill each chicken pocket with the mixture. Use toothpicks to close the openings and keep the filling inside while cooking.
Searing and Baking
- Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Once hot, sear the chicken breasts for 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Pour chicken broth around (not over) the chicken, then drizzle lemon juice over the breasts. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, or until the thickest part of the chicken reaches 165°F (75°C) on an instant-read thermometer.
- Remove from oven, sprinkle grated Parmesan over each breast, and let rest for 5 minutes to let juices redistribute and the cheese set slightly. Remove toothpicks before serving.
Notes
Use a reliable instant-read thermometer to confirm chicken is safe at 165°F (75°C). This dish works beautifully as the main attraction with simple, complementary sides.