Description
Delicious Goat Cheese & Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast with Caramelized Onions and Mushrooms is a savory, nutrient-packed meal featuring tender chicken breasts filled with a creamy mixture of spinach and goat cheese, complemented by sweet caramelized onions and earthy mushrooms. Perfect for an elegant dinner or special occasions, this dish combines roasting and stovetop sautéing to deliver rich flavors and a satisfying texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Filling
- 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
- Optional: 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Chicken: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Using a sharp knife, carefully make six slits into the top of each chicken breast without cutting through the bottom. Drizzle each breast with a small amount of olive oil, then season generously with salt and freshly ground 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. Stir occasionally until the spinach is fully wilted, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Mix Filling: Transfer the wilted spinach to a medium bowl. Add goat cheese and stir until well combined to create a creamy stuffing.
- Stuff Chicken: Stuff the spinach and goat cheese mixture into each slit of the chicken breasts, ensuring the filling is evenly distributed.
- Sauté Onions and Mushrooms: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet. Add the sliced onions, mushrooms, fresh thyme, and optional balsamic vinegar. Season with salt and pepper. Sauté until onions caramelize and mushrooms turn golden brown, about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Arrange Chicken and Bake: Make space in the skillet by pushing onions and mushrooms to the sides. Nestle the stuffed chicken breasts in the center, ensuring they do not touch each other. Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 20-30 minutes until the chicken is thoroughly cooked and an internal temperature of 165°F is reached.
- Serve: Remove from oven and allow to rest for a few minutes before serving. Plate with the caramelized onions and mushrooms for a flavorful finish.
Notes
- You can substitute goat cheese with cream cheese; if doing so, consider adding ¼ cup mozzarella for extra creaminess.
- The balsamic vinegar in the onions and mushrooms adds a subtle sweetness but is optional based on your preference.
- Ensure not to cut all the way through the chicken breasts to keep the stuffing secure.
- Use a meat thermometer to guarantee perfectly cooked chicken for safety.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed chicken breast with onions and mushrooms
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
