Description
Succulent spinach and ricotta stuffed chicken breasts elevate weeknight dinners with Mediterranean-inspired elegance. Creamy filling and tender chicken create a delightful harmony you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 Skinless/boneless chicken breasts (raw, approximately 5.6 ounces/160 grams per breast)
- 9.5 ounces/270 grams Ricotta cheese
- 3 Large handfuls spinach (roughly chopped)
- 1.8 ounces/50 grams Mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- 0.5 ounces/15 grams Parmesan cheese (grated)
Seasoning and Binding Ingredients:
- 1 Large egg
- 2 Cloves garlic (crushed)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 Pinch of mixed Italian herbs
Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 Onion (finely diced)
- 1 Clove garlic (crushed)
- 1 Cup/240 milliliters passata
- 3 Tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 Cup/240 milliliters chicken stock
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Sauté spinach and garlic in an oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat until leaves soften and release moisture.
- Combine wilted spinach with ricotta and egg in a mixing bowl, blending thoroughly until ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Position chicken breast between plastic wrap, gently pound to create uniform thickness, then season both surfaces with salt and pepper.
- Lightly brown chicken in the same skillet, creating a golden exterior, then transfer to a separate plate.
- In the skillet, caramelize onions and garlic until translucent and fragrant.
- Pour passata, tomato paste, mixed herbs, and stock into the skillet, simmering for approximately 15 minutes until sauce reduces and thickens.
- Preheat oven to 350°F, preparing for final cooking stage.
- Nestle chicken breasts into the prepared sauce, generously spreading ricotta mixture across the top of each piece.
- Sprinkle parmesan and mozzarella cheese over the chicken, creating a rich, melty topping.
- Cover skillet with foil, bake for 20 minutes, then uncover and continue cooking for additional 10-15 minutes until cheese turns golden and chicken reaches safe internal temperature.
Notes
- Flatten chicken breasts evenly to ensure consistent cooking and better stuffing absorption.
- Pat chicken dry before adding salt and pepper to help create a perfect golden-brown exterior.
- Allow parmesan and mozzarella to reach room temperature before sprinkling to promote smoother melting.
- Swap ricotta with tofu for a dairy-free version or use low-fat cheese for a lighter alternative.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 281 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 432 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 116 mg