Description
This Broccoli and Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breast recipe features juicy chicken breasts filled with a flavorful mixture of broccoli, red bell pepper, and melted colby-jack cheese. Seasoned with smoked paprika, garlic, and onion powders, then seared and baked to perfection, this dish offers a healthy, protein-packed dinner option that’s both delicious and visually appealing.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4 large boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 2 to 2 ¼ pounds)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Stuffing
- 1 ½ cups small-diced broccoli florets
- ¼ cup finely diced red bell pepper
- 1 ⅓ cups shredded colby-jack cheese
- 1 ½ tablespoons mayonnaise
Other
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) to prepare for baking the stuffed chicken breasts.
- Prepare Chicken: Cut a lengthwise pocket into the side of each chicken breast and gently widen it to make space for the filling.
- Mix Seasoning: In a small bowl, combine ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon onion powder, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Stir well to blend.
- Make Stuffing: In a medium bowl, mix together the blanched and small-diced broccoli florets, finely diced red bell pepper, shredded colby-jack cheese, mayonnaise, and 1 teaspoon of the seasoning mixture. Stir gently to combine without crushing the ingredients.
- Stuff Chicken: Fill each chicken breast pocket with a quarter of the broccoli-cheese mixture. Secure the opening with toothpicks to keep the filling inside during cooking.
- Season Chicken: Sprinkle the remaining seasoning mixture evenly over both sides of the stuffed chicken breasts to enhance flavor.
- Sear Chicken: Heat an oven-safe skillet over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Sear each stuffed chicken breast for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown, developing flavor and color.
- Bake: Return the skillet with the seared chicken to the oven. Cover with foil to retain moisture and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before carefully removing the toothpicks. This resting phase allows juices to redistribute for moist, tender chicken. Serve warm.
Notes
- You can blanch the broccoli by briefly boiling it for 1-2 minutes and then plunging it into ice water to retain its color and crunch.
- If you don’t have colby-jack cheese, a mild cheddar or mozzarella can be used as a substitute.
- Make sure to use an oven-safe skillet for the searing and baking step to avoid transferring chicken to another pan.
- Adjust the seasoning blend to your taste preference or add a pinch of cayenne pepper for extra heat.
- Allowing the chicken to rest after baking helps keep it juicy and flavorful.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stuffed, Searing, Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed chicken breast
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: broccoli stuffed chicken, cheese stuffed chicken breast, healthy chicken recipes, baked chicken breast, stuffed chicken breast recipe
