Stuffed Chicken with Pesto Cream Cheese
Indulge in the rich, savory flavors of Stuffed Chicken with Pesto Cream Cheese—a dish that combines succulent, tender chicken breasts with a decadent filling of creamy pesto and melted mozzarella cheese. This recipe features perfectly seasoned chicken pockets, golden brown from a quick sear and finished to perfection in the oven. The filling, made with garlic-scented cream cheese and vibrant basil pesto, offers a luscious burst of flavor in every bite. With a quick prep time of just 20 minutes, this gourmet-style meal is ideal for both weeknight dinners and elegant entertaining. Garnish with fresh basil for a stunning presentation, and watch this easy-to-make yet impressive recipe become a family favorite. Perfectly juicy, irresistibly cheesy, and effortlessly flavorful—this stuffed chicken is a must-try for fans of comfort food with a gourmet twist!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 pieces Chicken breasts
- 4 ounces Cream cheese
- 3 tablespoons Pesto sauce
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 0.5 teaspoon Paprika
- 0.5 cup Shredded mozzarella cheese
- 4 leaves Fresh basil leaves (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray.
Using a sharp knife, carefully butterfly each chicken breast by slicing horizontally through the middle without cutting all the way through. This will create a pocket for the filling.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, pesto sauce, garlic powder, and shredded mozzarella cheese. Mix until smooth and evenly combined.
Divide the pesto cream cheese mixture into four equal portions. Carefully fill each chicken breast pocket with the mixture and secure with toothpicks if necessary to keep the filling in place.
Rub both sides of the stuffed chicken breasts with olive oil, then season with salt, black pepper, and paprika.
Heat an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the stuffed chicken breasts for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.
Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Optionally, garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving for added flavor and presentation.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2262 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 132.5 g | 170% | |
| Saturated Fat | 46.1 g | 231% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 9.2 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 734 mg | 245% | |
| Sodium | 4086 mg | 178% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 14.7 g | 5% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.6 g | 6% | |
| Total Sugars | 4.8 g | ||
| Protein | 239.7 g | 479% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 692 mg | 53% | |
| Iron | 6.8 mg | 38% | |
| Potassium | 317 mg | 7% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
