Description
This Easy Chicken Breast with Feta and Spinach is a flavorful and healthy Mediterranean-inspired dish. Tender chicken breasts are stuffed with a savory mixture of fresh spinach, creamy feta, and rich cream cheese, then baked to perfection. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, it’s a perfect weeknight dinner that pairs wonderfully with rice, roasted potatoes, or a fresh salad.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Stuffing
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the chicken evenly.
- Prepare chicken pockets: Using a sharp knife, carefully cut a pocket into the side of each chicken breast, making sure not to slice all the way through.
- Cook the spinach mixture: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and chopped spinach, cooking for 2 to 3 minutes until the spinach is wilted and the garlic fragrant. Remove from heat.
- Mix the stuffing: To the skillet with spinach and garlic, add crumbled feta cheese, softened cream cheese, and lemon juice. Stir thoroughly until the mixture is combined and creamy.
- Stuff the chicken: Fill each chicken breast pocket with the spinach and cheese mixture. Use toothpicks to secure the openings if needed to prevent filling from spilling out during cooking.
- Season the chicken: Rub the outside of each stuffed chicken breast with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Season evenly with salt, black pepper, dried oregano, and paprika.
- Bake the chicken: Place the prepared chicken breasts in a greased baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), ensuring the chicken is fully cooked.
- Finalize and serve: Remove the chicken from the oven, discard the toothpicks, garnish with fresh chopped parsley, and serve warm alongside your favorite sides.
Notes
- For enhanced flavor, marinate the chicken breasts in lemon juice and olive oil for 30 minutes before stuffing.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with rice, roasted potatoes, or a fresh green salad to balance the richness.
- Make sure not to overstuff the chicken pockets to avoid filling spilling out during baking.
- Using cream cheese at room temperature makes for easier mixing and stuffing.
