Description

A flavorful and healthy dinner featuring boneless chicken breasts stuffed with fresh asparagus spears and melty mozzarella or provolone cheese. The chicken is seasoned with a blend of herbs and spices, seared to golden perfection in a skillet, and then baked to juicy tenderness. This easy-to-make, elegant dish is perfect for a weeknight meal or entertaining guests.

Ingredients

Chicken and Stuffing

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
12 asparagus spears, trimmed
4 slices mozzarella or provolone cheese

Seasonings and Oil

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
Toothpicks or kitchen twine for securing

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the stuffed chicken breasts.
Prepare Chicken: Carefully slice a pocket lengthwise into each chicken breast without cutting all the way through. Stuff each pocket with 3 trimmed asparagus spears and 1 slice of mozzarella or provolone cheese. Secure the openings using toothpicks or kitchen twine to keep the filling inside during cooking.
Season Chicken: In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, dried oregano, and dried thyme. Rub this seasoning mixture evenly over both sides of each stuffed chicken breast to add robust flavor.
Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Once hot, place the chicken breasts in the skillet and sear them for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until they develop a beautiful golden-brown crust. This step locks in juices and adds texture.
Bake: Transfer the oven-safe skillet directly into the preheated oven. Bake the chicken breasts for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), ensuring they are fully cooked and safe to eat.
Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in tender, juicy chicken.

Notes

Use fresh asparagus spears trimmed to fit inside the chicken breast pockets for best results.
If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, transfer the seared chicken to a baking dish before baking.
Feel free to switch mozzarella or provolone with your favorite melting cheese.
Ensure the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F using a meat thermometer to prevent undercooking.
Remove toothpicks or twine before serving to avoid any accidents.