This Easy Spinach Artichoke Stuffed Chicken is everything you crave in a weeknight dinner: juicy, perfectly seasoned chicken breasts packed with a creamy, cheesy spinach-artichoke filling. It’s a show-stopping main dish that’s big on flavor but surprisingly light on effort—perfect for impressing guests or spoiling yourself midweek!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Irresistible Creamy Filling: The creamy spinach and artichoke center is packed with flavor and transforms each bite into pure comfort.
- Restaurant-Worthy, But Easy: Impress your family or guests with a dish that looks elegant, yet is totally doable on a busy night.
- Flexible & Forgiving: You can prep everything ahead of time or swap in your favorite cheeses and greens.
- Crowd & Family-Friendly: Even picky eaters will love the mellow flavors of this Easy Spinach Artichoke Stuffed Chicken!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s talk about how just a handful of simple ingredients come together to make this Easy Spinach Artichoke Stuffed Chicken shine! Each one adds character, color, and deliciousness—so don’t skip a thing.
- Chicken breasts (boneless, skinless): Choose plump, evenly-sized pieces so they cook at the same rate and hold plenty of that scrumptious filling.
- Paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper: This powerhouse blend delivers layers of savory flavor and a beautiful color to the chicken.
- Vegetable oil: A neutral oil that helps achieve that irresistible golden sear before baking.
- Cream cheese (softened): Creates the rich, creamy base of the spinach artichoke filling—make sure it’s at room temperature for easy mixing!
- Sour cream: Adds a lovely tang that cuts through the richness and keeps the filling ultra-smooth.
- Fresh garlic (minced): Adds a bright, bold kick to every bite.
- Spinach (fresh, packed): Brings gorgeous color and a mild, earthy flavor to the stuffing.
- Artichokes (canned, peeled): Heartier texture and vibrant Mediterranean flavor—be sure to drain well!
- Mozzarella cheese (shredded): Melts into gooey, stretchy goodness when baked.
- Parmesan cheese (grated): Brings that signature salty, nutty punch to the filling.
- Extra salt & black pepper (for the filling): Adjusts the seasoning so every part of the dish is perfectly balanced.
Variations
One of the best things about Easy Spinach Artichoke Stuffed Chicken is just how customizable it is! Switch up the filling, swap out seasonings, or even adjust for dietary needs—it’s all about what you love and have on hand.
- Cheese Lover’s Delight: Sub in Gruyère, Fontina, or sharp cheddar for a new twist on the cheesy filling.
- Make it Low-Carb: Use a keto-friendly thickener or simply leave out the sour cream for a slightly lighter filling.
- Add Veggies: Toss in sautéed mushrooms or sun-dried tomatoes for extra color and texture in the filling.
- Go Spicy: Mix a pinch of crushed red pepper into the filling, or sprinkle cayenne over the chicken before baking.
How to Make Easy Spinach Artichoke Stuffed Chicken
Step 1: Season and Sear the Chicken
Start by patting your chicken breasts dry with paper towels—this helps them sear beautifully. Then, rub each piece all over with that savory paprika-garlic-onion seasoning blend. Heat your skillet over medium-high, add oil, and quickly sear the chicken on both sides just until golden. This gives your Easy Spinach Artichoke Stuffed Chicken its irresistible color and locks in those juices!
Step 2: Prep and Mix the Filling
While your chicken is cooling for a minute, stir together the cream cheese, sour cream, minced garlic, fresh spinach, chopped artichokes, mozzarella, parmesan, and a little salt and pepper. You’ll want a thick, chunky mixture—something that’ll stay put inside each chicken pocket. Don’t forget to taste and tweak the seasoning if needed!
Step 3: Stuff the Chicken Breasts
Use a sharp knife to carefully cut a horizontal slit in each seared chicken breast, making a pocket (but don’t slice all the way through!). Generously stuff each pocket with 2–3 tablespoons of the spinach artichoke mixture—press it in gently so it stays put but don’t overpack, or it’ll spill while baking.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Return the stuffed chicken breasts to your oven-safe skillet or place them in a baking dish. Bake at 350℉ for around 30 minutes or until the thickest part of the chicken hits 165℉. The cheese will be melty, the chicken juicy, and your kitchen will smell amazing!
Step 5: Let Rest & Serve
Let the chicken rest a few minutes before slicing—this helps keep all those incredible juices right where they belong. Plate up, serve with your favorite sides, and get ready for the best Easy Spinach Artichoke Stuffed Chicken you’ve ever made!
Pro Tips for Making Easy Spinach Artichoke Stuffed Chicken
- Searing for Flavor & Juiciness: Don’t skip the stovetop sear—this extra step locks in moisture and sets the stage for gorgeous, golden-brown chicken.
- Room-Temperature Dairy: Use softened cream cheese and let the sour cream stand at room temp so your filling is creamy, not lumpy.
- Don’t Overstuff: Resist the urge to overfill the chicken pockets—too much and the filling will spill out as it bakes.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: Trust your thermometer for absolute doneness—165℉ means your Easy Spinach Artichoke Stuffed Chicken is cooked and beautifully juicy.
How to Serve Easy Spinach Artichoke Stuffed Chicken
Garnishes
You can instantly brighten up your Easy Spinach Artichoke Stuffed Chicken with a sprinkle of fresh parsley, a little extra parmesan, or even a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for a pop of color and flavor. These finishing touches make each plate look irresistible and taste even better!
Side Dishes
This dish is heavenly next to a pile of buttery mashed potatoes, creamy risotto, or even just a crisp green salad. It also pairs beautifully with roasted veggies—think asparagus, carrots, or green beans—to soak up all that cheesy, herby goodness.
Creative Ways to Present
For a little flair, slice the stuffed chicken breasts and fan the pieces out on a platter, allowing the gorgeous filling to peek through. Individual ramekins work for a dinner party, or try serving on a bed of wilted spinach for a vibrant bistro touch!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, let them cool, then store the Easy Spinach Artichoke Stuffed Chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors will get even richer as they sit!
Freezing
You can freeze the cooked stuffed chicken individually wrapped for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight—just keep in mind the filling may be a little softer after reheating, but still delicious.
Reheating
For best results, reheat Easy Spinach Artichoke Stuffed Chicken covered in a 325℉ oven until warmed through (about 20 minutes), or microwave in bursts, checking to make sure it stays juicy and the filling is melty but not overcooked.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh?
Yes! Just thaw and squeeze out as much excess liquid as possible before adding to your filling, so your Easy Spinach Artichoke Stuffed Chicken isn’t watery.
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What’s the best way to prevent the filling from leaking out?
Don’t overfill the chicken pockets, and be sure to really press the edges together. Securing with toothpicks can help too—just remember to remove them before serving!
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Can I prep this ahead of time?
Absolutely. You can stuff the chicken breasts a day in advance, cover, and refrigerate. When ready, just bring them close to room temp before baking for best results.
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Is there a dairy-free way to make this stuffed chicken?
Definitely! Substitute your favorite dairy-free cream cheese, sour cream, and vegan mozzarella and parmesan alternatives to keep all the creaminess of Easy Spinach Artichoke Stuffed Chicken.
Final Thoughts
I hope this Easy Spinach Artichoke Stuffed Chicken becomes the new star of your dinner rotation. It’s a little bit fancy, a whole lot comforting, and—best of all—a breeze to make. Give it a try, share it with friends, and let me know how you make it your own!
PrintEasy Spinach Artichoke Stuffed Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Easy Spinach Artichoke Stuffed Chicken recipe is a delicious and impressive dish that is surprisingly simple to make. Tender chicken breasts are filled with a creamy spinach and artichoke mixture, then baked to perfection. It’s a perfect meal for a special occasion or a cozy family dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 4 chicken breast boneless, skinless
- 1 tsp paprika
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1-2 tsp vegetable oil
Spinach Artichoke Mixture:
- 2 ounce cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp sour cream
- 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup fresh spinach, packed
- 4 oz canned artichoke, peeled
- 1/2 cup mozzarella, shredded
- 2 tbsp parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven at 350℉. In a small bowl, combine seasoning for chicken – paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Pat dry chicken breast and sprinkle seasoning all over on both sides.
- Add vegetable oil to skillet, bring to medium-high heat. Once skillet is heated, sear chicken breast for a couple of minutes on both sides until both sides are golden brown.
- Remove chicken breast from skillet. Slit chicken breast lengthwise 3/4 of the way through (avoid cutting chicken into two pieces).
- In a large bowl, combine all spinach and artichoke mixture ingredients. Mix to combine. Mixture should be chunky and thick.
- Stuff each piece of chicken breast with 2-3 tbsp of spinach artichoke mixture. Do not overstuff – it will spill out when baking if it’s too full.
- Bring chicken back to oven-safe skillet. If skillet cannot be heated in the oven, bring chicken to a large casserole dish.
- Bake chicken for 30 minutes, or until it is cooked through. If checking with a meat thermometer, the thickest part of the chicken should reach 165℉ to be considered fully cooked.
- Remove chicken from oven. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Ensure not to overstuff the chicken to prevent the filling from spilling out during baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed chicken breast
- Calories: 315 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 630mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 98mg