Description
Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken is an elegant yet simple main-course dish, featuring juicy chicken breasts filled with creamy goat cheese, fresh herbs, and a hint of garlic. Baked to golden perfection, this recipe creates a flavorful dinner that’s perfect for a weeknight meal or special occasion.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
For the Filling:
- 4 ounces goat cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 garlic clove, minced
For Cooking:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (additional, for searing)
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut a pocket horizontally into the thickest side of each chicken breast, being careful not to cut all the way through.
- Make the Goat Cheese Filling: In a small bowl, combine the goat cheese, chopped parsley, chives, lemon zest, and minced garlic. Mix until evenly blended and creamy.
- Stuff the Chicken: Spoon the goat cheese mixture evenly into the pocket of each chicken breast. Secure the opening with toothpicks if needed. Season both sides of the breasts generously with salt and black pepper.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the stuffed chicken breasts and sear for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Bake the Chicken: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C) and the filling is hot.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Remove toothpicks, garnish with extra herbs if desired, and serve warm.
Notes
- Make sure not to overstuff the chicken to prevent the filling from leaking out during baking.
- If you don’t have fresh herbs, dried versions can be used in smaller amounts.
- You can prepare the stuffing up to a day ahead for easier assembly.
- Pair with a simple salad, roasted vegetables, or rice for a complete meal.
- To make it even more flavorful, add sun-dried tomatoes or spinach to the filling.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed chicken breast
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 410mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 43g
- Cholesterol: 119mg