Name: Spinach and Ricotta Cheese Stuffed Chicken
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 23 min
Total time: 38 min
Ingredients: chicken breasts (skinless); 4.59 oz fresh spinach (roughly chopped); ricotta cheese; small garlic clove (grated); panko breadcrumbs; parmesan (finely grated); olive oil; onion granules; fine sea salt and pepper to taste; cooking spray

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This spinach and cheese stuffed chicken comes with a deliciously creamy filling and a crunchy topping of parmesan and breadcrumbs. This dish requires minimal preparation and is ready in just over 30 minutes!

See also crispy breaded chicken roll-ups!

Side view of spinach and cheese stuffed chicken breast on top of plate with chicken in background.

There are endless ways of making stuffed chicken breast recipes. Chicken is extremely versatile and tastes delicious with a huge range of ingredients. One of them is spinach. It's nutritious, tasty and pairs exceptionally well with chicken.

Why this recipe works

It uses fresh spinach and preparation takes just minutes.
It's perfect as a speedy family meal as well as for easy entertaining.
The chicken is juicy, comes a crunchy savoury topping and is absolutely delicious!

Spinach and cheese stuffed chicken ingredients

The filling is made using finely chopped fresh spinach, naturally low in fat ricotta cheese for creaminess, garlic and onion granules for added flavour, seasoning as well as panko breadcrumbs to bind it all together.

I also covered the tops of the chicken pieces with a mixture of panko and grated parmesan for a crunchy, savoury finish.

Spinach and cheese chicken ingredients in individual dishes.

Step-by-step recipe instructions

1.Preheat the oven to 400 F/ 200 C/ gas mark 6. Line a medium size oven tray with parchment paper and set aside.

Place a chicken breast on top of a board and cut a pocket into the thicker side of the chicken being careful not to cut through the opposite side. Repeat with the other chicken breasts and place them on top of the baking sheet. Season lightly on top and inside. Set aside.

4 raw skinless chicken breasts on top of cutting board with knife.

2. Place the spinach in a food processor and pulse a few times until finely chopped (but not mushy).

Finely chopped fresh spinach in food processor bowl.

3. In a mixing bowl combine the spinach with the ricotta, 4 tablespoons of the breadcrumbs, grated garlic, onion granules, salt and pepper to taste and stir thoroughly.

Spinach mixture with cheese and panko in mixing bowl.

4. Stuff the chicken breasts with the mixture and flatten a little to remove any air bubbles.

Side view of skinless raw chicken breasts stuffed with spinach on top of parchment.

5. In a small bowl combine the remaining 6 tablespoons of panko with the parmesan and stir thoroughly. Coat the tops of the chicken breasts with oil (do this thoroughly) then cover with the crumbs pressing down gently so the mixture sticks to the chicken. Spray the tops lightly with cooking spray.

Side view of 4 unbaked spinach stuffed chicken breasts on top of parchment.

6. Bake in the centre of the oven for 20-23 minutes. Remove your spinach stuffed chicken from the oven and serve immediately.

Side view of spinach stuffed chicken breasts with breadcrumb topping.

Serving suggestions

This stuffed chicken with spinach is delicious with rice, roasted or steamed vegetables, potato wedges, celeriac puree or simple salad.

Top tips

You can either pulse the spinach briefly in the food processor or finely chop it.
Ensure your spinach is dry before pulsing. Pat it dry using paper towel if needed.
I recommend using baby spinach as it's tastier than ordinary spinach.
Season the chicken as well as the filling.
The exact cooking time will depend on the size of your chicken. The chicken is ready when the juices are clear. Try not to overcook it.
Best served immediately. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the microwave.

How to freeze this recipe

I recommend freezing individual stuffed chicken breasts, separated with parchment paper, without the breadcrumb mixture in an airtight container. Defrost fully before making the recipe, top with the breadcrumb and cheese mixture and bake as per Instructions.

Can I use ordinary breadcrumbs

I do not recommend it. Panko crumb is a little larger than fine crumb so 1 tablespoon of panko does not necessarily equal 1 tablespoon of fine breadcrumbs. Also I used panko not just to bind the filling ingredients but also to make sure the breadcrumbs absorb excess moisture and at the same time create a soft (rather than stodgy) filling. Panko will do this better than fine breadcrumbs.

Here is how to make your own panko breadcrumbs.

Spinach stuffed chicken breast cut in half on top of plate with chicken in background.

Check out also this collection healthy chicken recipes!

Recipe

Keep in touch!

If you make this ricotta and spinach stuffed chicken recipe I'd love to know how it turned out for you. Let me know in the comments below, thanks!

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