Description
This Goat Cheese & Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast with Caramelized Onions and Mushrooms is a flavorful and elegant dish perfect for a wholesome dinner. Tender chicken breasts are carefully hasselbacked and stuffed with a creamy spinach and tangy goat cheese mixture, then baked alongside caramelized onions and mushrooms for a rich and savory finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Stuffing
- 4 chicken breasts (about 4-6 ounces each)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 4 cups organic spinach
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 ounces goat cheese
- Freshly ground salt and pepper, to taste
Caramelized Onions and Mushrooms
- 1 white onion, sliced
- 8 ounces sliced baby bella mushrooms
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken Breasts: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Using a sharp knife, carefully make 6 slits into the top of each chicken breast, cutting deep enough to create pockets but not all the way through. Drizzle each breast with a little olive oil and season with freshly ground salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Cook Spinach: Heat ½ tablespoon of olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the spinach and sprinkle with garlic powder. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the spinach is fully wilted. Transfer wilted spinach to a medium bowl.
- Prepare Filling: To the bowl with cooked spinach, add goat cheese and stir until well combined. Stuff each slit in the chicken breasts with this creamy spinach and goat cheese mixture.
- Sauté Onions and Mushrooms: In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add sliced onions, baby bella mushrooms, fresh thyme, and balsamic vinegar if using. Season with salt and pepper. Sauté the mixture until onions caramelize and mushrooms turn golden brown. Push the mushrooms and onions to the sides of the skillet to make space for the chicken.
- Cook Chicken: Place the stuffed chicken breasts in the center of the skillet, ensuring there is space between each piece. Rearrange onions and mushrooms as needed. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20-30 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F and is fully cooked through.
- Serve: Remove skillet from the oven and let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving alongside the caramelized onions and mushrooms. Enjoy this delicious and nutritious meal while warm.
Notes
- You can substitute goat cheese with cream cheese; if using cream cheese, consider mixing in ¼ cup mozzarella for added flavor and meltiness.
- Ensure the chicken is not cut all the way through while hasselbacking to keep the stuffing intact.
- Use an ovenproof skillet to seamlessly transfer from stovetop to oven without extra dishes.
- For a deeper flavor, allow the onions to caramelize slowly over moderate heat before adding mushrooms.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with onions and mushrooms
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
