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Flavorful Pesto Stuffed Chicken Breast

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Juicy chicken breasts stuffed with fresh basil pesto, mozzarella cheese, and sun-dried tomatoes, seared to golden perfection and finished in the oven for a delicious and easy dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz / 170 g each)
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil pesto (125 ml)
  • 1 cup shredded or sliced mozzarella cheese (about 4 oz / 115 g)
  • 1/2 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (about 80 g), oil-packed, drained
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (30 ml), extra virgin
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
  • Toothpicks or kitchen twine to secure the chicken breasts

Instructions

  1. Rinse and pat dry the chicken breasts. Using a sharp knife, carefully slice a pocket into the side of each breast, about 3/4 of the way through.
  2. In a bowl, combine the basil pesto with lemon zest and garlic powder. Stir well to blend.
  3. Stuff each chicken breast pocket with about 2 tablespoons of the pesto mixture, a generous handful of mozzarella, and a tablespoon of chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Secure the opening with toothpicks or tie with twine.
  4. Brush the outside of the stuffed breasts with olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper on all sides.
  5. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Once shimmering, place the chicken breasts in the pan. Sear for about 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown.
  6. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Transfer the skillet to the oven or move chicken to a baking dish if pan is not oven-safe. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  7. Remove chicken from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Carefully remove toothpicks or twine before serving.

Notes

Use a sharp knife to create neat pockets to prevent filling from spilling. Do not overstuff the chicken breasts. If browning too quickly during searing, lower heat and cover briefly. Let chicken rest after baking to retain juices. For dairy-free, use plant-based cheese and vegan pesto. Check pesto ingredients for gluten if needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: pesto stuffed chicken, mozzarella chicken, sun-dried tomato chicken, easy dinner, stuffed chicken breast, weeknight meal, Italian chicken recipe

Find it online: https://prismtaste.com/flavorful-pesto-stuffed-chicken-breast-recipe-easy-mozzarella-sun-dried-tomato-dinner/