Spinach & Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken with Garlic Glaze Recipe

Introduction

This Spinach & Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken with Garlic Glaze is a flavorful and satisfying dish perfect for a cozy dinner. Juicy chicken breasts are filled with fresh spinach, roasted red peppers, and melted mozzarella, then glazed with a sweet and garlicky sauce. It’s a simple yet elegant meal that impresses every time.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup fresh spinach, roughly chopped
• 1/2 cup roasted red peppers, sliced
• 4 slices fresh mozzarella cheese or 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1 clove garlic, minced (for filling)
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced (for glaze)
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• Fresh parsley or basil, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Using a sharp knife, carefully slice a deep pocket into each chicken breast, being careful not to cut all the way through.
2. Step 2: Season the chicken generously inside and out with salt, black pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning.
3. Step 3: In a small bowl, combine the chopped spinach, roasted red peppers, minced garlic, and mozzarella until evenly mixed.
4. Step 4: Stuff each chicken breast with the filling, pressing gently. Secure the openings with toothpicks if needed to keep the filling inside.
5. Step 5: Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for 3–4 minutes on each side until golden and fragrant.
6. Step 6: While searing, whisk together honey, soy sauce, and Dijon mustard in a small bowl.
7. Step 7: Pour the glaze over the chicken in the skillet. Add butter, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes directly to the pan.
8. Step 8: Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 15–18 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked and the cheese is melted inside.
9. Step 9: Once baked, spoon the garlic glaze over the chicken again. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil and serve hot.

Tips & Variations

• Use toothpicks to secure the chicken pocket and prevent filling from spilling out during cooking.
• For a lighter version, substitute fresh mozzarella with part-skim mozzarella or use less cheese.
• Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the filling for a subtle kick.
• If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, transfer the chicken to a baking dish after searing.

Storage

Store leftover stuffed chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave until warmed through to maintain juiciness and melt the cheese again.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare the chicken ahead of time?

Yes, you can stuff and season the chicken breasts a few hours ahead and keep them covered in the refrigerator until ready to cook.

What can I serve with this dish?

This stuffed chicken pairs well with simple sides like roasted vegetables, garlic mashed potatoes, or a fresh green salad for a balanced meal.

Spinach & Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken with Garlic Glaze Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 82 reviews

This Spinach & Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken with Garlic Glaze is a deliciously juicy and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken breasts stuffed with fresh spinach, roasted red peppers, garlic, and mozzarella cheese. Seared to perfection and finished in the oven with a sweet and tangy garlic glaze, this recipe is perfect for a comforting yet elegant meal.

• Author: Yana
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Stuffed Chicken:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Filling:

• 1 cup fresh spinach, roughly chopped
• 1/2 cup roasted red peppers, sliced
• 4 slices fresh mozzarella cheese (or 1 cup shredded mozzarella)
• 1 clove garlic, minced

Sweet Garlic Glaze:

• 3 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Garnish:

• Fresh parsley or basil, chopped

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare Chicken: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Using a sharp knife, carefully slice a deep pocket into each chicken breast, making sure not to cut all the way through to create space for the filling.
2. Season Chicken: Season both inside and outside of each chicken breast generously with salt, black pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning to build the layers of flavor.
3. Prepare the Filling: In a small bowl, combine the chopped fresh spinach, sliced roasted red peppers, minced garlic, and mozzarella cheese. Mix well to ensure an even distribution of ingredients.
4. Stuff the Chicken: Stuff each chicken breast pocket with the prepared filling, pressing the mixture gently inside. If necessary, secure the opening with toothpicks to keep the filling contained during cooking.
5. Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the stuffed chicken breasts and sear for about 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and aromatic.
6. Make the Garlic Glaze: While the chicken is searing, whisk together honey, soy sauce, and Dijon mustard in a small bowl. Pour this glaze over the seared chicken in the skillet. Add butter, minced garlic, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using) directly to the pan for extra flavor and richness.
7. Bake: Transfer the skillet with the chicken and glaze to the preheated oven. Bake for 15-18 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked through and the cheese inside is melted and gooey.
8. Finish and Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven, spoon any remaining glaze over the chicken, garnish with freshly chopped parsley or basil, and serve hot for a glossy, flavorful presentation.

Notes

• Carefully slice the chicken breasts to avoid cutting through completely to keep the filling intact.
• To prevent the filling from spilling out, secure the chicken pockets with toothpicks.
• Use an oven-safe skillet for seamless transition from stovetop searing to baking.
• Adjust crushed red pepper flakes amount based on your preferred spice level.
• Let the chicken rest a few minutes after baking to allow juices to redistribute.

Keywords: stuffed chicken, spinach stuffed chicken, mozzarella chicken, garlic glaze chicken, baked chicken breasts, easy dinner recipes