January 24, 2024
Review RecipeSun Dried Tomato Stuffed Chicken
Table of Contents
This sun-dried tomato stuffed chicken is an elegant-looking dish that is quick and easy to assemble. Tender chicken breasts are stuffed with salty sun-dried tomatoes, crisp spinach, and plenty of creamy melted cheese for a dish that you would be happy to serve to company.
Sun Dried Tomato Stuffed Chicken Ingredients
If you’re looking for a meal that is both flavorsome and satisfying, sun-dried tomato-stuffed chicken is an excellent choice.
With a crispy, golden brown exterior and juicy, tender meat on the inside, every single bite is bursting with a delightful combination of flavors and textures.
The sun-dried tomatoes provide a tangy and slightly sweet taste that’s beautifully balanced with the natural richness of the chicken.
You’ll need:
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (8 ounces each)
- ¼ cup of kosher salt
- 4 ounces of cream cheese
- 1 cup of fresh baby spinach leaves, roughly chopped
- ½ cup of sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil with herbs
- 1 cup of grated mozzarella cheese
- ½ teaspoon of black pepper
- ½ teaspoon of coarse sea salt
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 cup of grape tomatoes, halved
PRO TIP:
I used larger than average chicken breasts which makes it easier to slice them and stuff them. Keep an eye for nice thick chicken breasts that are on the larger side when shopping for this recipe.
Substitutions And Additions
CHEESE: While mozzarella cheese will make this dish extra gooey, you can substitute any hard or semi-soft cheese that you like into this recipe. A sprinkle of parmesan cheese, goat cheese, or feta cheese in addition to the mozzarella cheese adds a tangy twist.
VEGGIES: You could also add other veggies to your stuffing, such as finely chopped mushrooms, red peppers, or onions.
MEAT: Add cooked bacon or prosciutto for a meaty addition to your dish.
SPINACH: You could also use baby kale in place of spinach if you prefer.
How To Make This Sun Dried Tomato Stuffed Chicken Recipe
Follow our step-by-step instructions below to prepare and stuff the chicken breasts with all the ingredients that will come out of the oven cheesy and delicious.
STEP ONE: Place chicken breasts in a large bowl and add kosher salt. Fill the bowl with water to cover the chicken breasts and stir to dissolve the salt. Allow the chicken to sit in the “brine” for at least 30 minutes.
OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS
The brine is a simple salt/water brine. Use kosher salt, which is coarser than sea salt or table salt. This step is optional but helps the chicken retain moisture and flavor while cooking.
STEP TWO: Remove chicken from the brine and pat dry with paper towels.
STEP THREE: Slice a horizontal slit into the side of the chicken breasts, being careful not to slice the chicken all the way through.
STEP FOUR: Divide the cream cheese, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and mozzarella between the chicken breasts and layer the ingredients inside (the order of layering isn’t important).
STEP FIVE: Use a toothpick to close up and hold each stuffed chicken breast together. Sprinkle both sides of the chicken with salt and pepper.
PRO TIP:
I find that the filling stays in the chicken breasts if I pack it in quite tight. If you’re worried about it falling out, use the toothpicks to secure the opening.
STEP SIX: Preheat the oven to 400°F.
STEP SEVEN: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear both sides of the chicken breasts, browning for several minutes on each side. You may need to brown the chicken in batches so that there is space between the chicken while browning. Do not overcrowd. When the pieces are browned, remove them to a plate to fit the remaining pieces in the pan.
STEP EIGHT: Return all of the chicken to the skillet. Sprinkle grape tomatoes over the chicken.
PRO TIP:
If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet (a cast-iron skillet works great), simply sear each stuffed breast in the skillet you have, then transfer them to a baking dish sprayed with nonstick cooking spray to put them in the oven.
Make sure that if you transfer to a baking dish, you pour all of your pan drippings into the casserole dish prior to finishing baking in the oven.
STEP NINE: Bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until the chicken is cooked all the way through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
PRO TIP:
The internal temperature of the chicken should register 165°F on a meat thermometer. Be sure to check the temperature of the chicken and the filling to determine doneness.
STEP TEN: Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes before serving.
PRO TIP:
Be sure to remove the toothpicks before serving.
How To Serve Stuffed Chicken With Sun Dried Tomatoes
These simple sun-dried tomato, spinach, and cheese stuffed chicken breasts are an easy weeknight meal but also fancy enough to serve for company.
Add a couple of side dishes, such as a green bean casserole and creamy mashed potatoes, for a complete meal.
For more stuffed meat entrees, check out our stuffed chicken breasts and stuffed pork chops.
MORE CHICKEN RECIPES
Storage
Here’s how to store this chicken to ensure that you enjoy it while it is at its best.
IN THE FRIDGE: Store this stuffed chicken breast with sun-dried tomatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
IN THE FREEZER: Store in the freezer for up to 1 month in an airtight container.
This creamy spinach and sun-dried tomato stuffed chicken is full of plenty of goodies, including fresh spinach, sundried tomatoes, and melty cheese. Thanks to a quick sear before baking, the chicken becomes tender and moist while baking warms and melts the filling.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Soaking the chicken in the brine followed by a quick sear will lock in additional moisture and produce tender chicken breasts.
Since chicken thighs are smaller, they would be harder to stuff, but you could stuff chicken thighs if you want. You would have to watch the cooking time and adjust for the smaller size of the thighs.
Toothpicks are perfectly safe to put in the oven to hold your chicken together. An alternative is to use small sections of dried spaghetti to hold the chicken closed.
If you don’t want to use the mozzarella cheese that this stuffed chicken breast with spinach, cheese, and sun dried tomatoes recipe calls for, you could use cheddar, parmesan, ricotta, or feta for great alternatives.
More Recipes You’ll Love
- Grilled Chicken Breast
- Parmesan Pork Chops
- Crack Chicken Casserole
- Baked Bruschetta Chicken
- Chicken Cordon Bleu
- Creamy Chicken and Asparagus
- Bruschetta Chicken Pasta
- Chicken and Stuffing Casserole
- Chicken Alfredo Stuffed Shells
- Longhorn Parmesan Crusted Chicken
- Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
- Chicken Broccoli Casserole
- Shake and Bake Chicken
- One Pot Chicken Pasta
- Korean Chicken
- Peanut Butter Chicken
- Chicken Hand Pies
- Stove Top Meatloaf
- Stuffed Pepper Casserole
- Cashew Chicken
- Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
- Chicken Lasagna Roll Ups
- Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken
- Beer Marinade for Chicken
- Crispy Honey Chicken
- Biscuit Pizza Bake
- Chicken Marsala
Sun Dried Tomato Stuffed Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless (8-ounces each)
- ¼ cup kosher salt
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 1 cup baby spinach leaves, roughly chopped
- ½ cup sundried tomatoes, in olive oil with herbs
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, grated
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon coarse sea salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts in a large bowl and add kosher salt. Fill the bowl with water to cover chicken breasts and stir to dissolve the salt. Allow the chicken to sit in the “brine” for at least 30 minutes.
- Remove chicken from brine and pat dry with paper towels.
- Slice a slit into the side of each chicken breast, being careful not to slice the chicken all the way through.
- Divide the cream cheese, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and mozzarella between the chicken breasts and layer the ingredients inside (the order of layering isn’t important).
- Use a toothpick to close up and hold each stuffed chicken breast together. Sprinkle both sides of the chicken with salt and pepper.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken, browning for several minutes on each side. You may need to brown the chicken in batches so that there is space between the chicken while browning. Do not overcrowd. When the pieces are browned, remove them to a plate to fit the remaining pieces in the pan.
- Return all of the chicken to the skillet. Sprinkle grape tomatoes over the chicken.
- Bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until the chicken is cooked all the way through and registers 165°F.
- Remove from the oven and allow chicken breasts to rest for about 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- I used larger than average chicken breasts which makes it easier to slice them and stuff them. Keep an eye for nice thick chicken breasts that are on the larger side when shopping for this recipe.
- The brine is a simple salt/water brine. Use kosher salt, which is coarser than sea salt or table salt. This step is optional but helps the chicken retain moisture and flavor while cooking.
- I find that the filling stays in the chicken breasts if I pack it in quite tight. If you’re worried about it falling out, use the toothpicks to secure the opening.
- If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet (a cast-iron skillet works great), simply sear each stuffed breast in the skillet you have, then transfer them to a baking dish sprayed with nonstick cooking spray to put them in the oven. Make sure that if you transfer to a baking dish that you pour all of your pan drippings into the casserole dish prior to finishing baking in the oven.
- The internal temperature of the chicken should register 165°F on a meat thermometer. Be sure to check the temperature of the chicken and the filling to determine doneness.
Comments
Gloria says
SO good!!!