🥦🧀 Broccoli and Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breasts
Juicy chicken breasts stuffed with tender broccoli and melted cheese, then baked until golden and delicious. This easy dinner is packed with protein and makes a comforting low-carb meal.
Servings: 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
Total Time: About 45 minutes
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup finely chopped broccoli florets
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup cream cheese, softened
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, optional
For the Topping
- ¼ cup shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan, optional
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
1. Prepare the broccoli
Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Add the broccoli and cook for 2–3 minutes, just until slightly tender.
Drain well and let it cool for a few minutes. Pat it dry with paper towels so excess moisture doesn’t make the filling watery.
2. Make the cheese filling
In a bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, chopped broccoli, 1 cup shredded cheddar, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
Mix until everything is evenly combined.
3. Prepare the chicken
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Pat the chicken breasts dry. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut a pocket horizontally into the thickest part of each chicken breast. Be careful not to cut all the way through.
Season the outside of the chicken with paprika, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika if using.
4. Stuff the chicken
Divide the broccoli-cheese mixture evenly between the four chicken breasts.
Gently press the filling into each pocket. Secure the openings with toothpicks if necessary to prevent the filling from escaping during cooking.
5. Sear the chicken
Heat the olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
Place the stuffed chicken breasts in the skillet and sear for 2–3 minutes per side, until lightly golden.
6. Bake
Sprinkle the remaining cheddar or mozzarella and Parmesan over the chicken.
Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for approximately 18–25 minutes, depending on the thickness of the chicken.
The chicken is done when the thickest part reaches 165°F (74°C) on an instant-read thermometer.
7. Rest and serve
Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
Serving Ideas
Serve with:
- Roasted broccoli or cauliflower
- Steamed green beans
- Cauliflower mash
- A crisp garden salad
- Sautéed zucchini
- Roasted asparagus
💪 Nutrition-Friendly Notes
This is naturally high in protein and relatively low in carbohydrates, making it a good choice for a protein-focused or low-carb meal. For a lighter version, use reduced-fat cheese and cream cheese and serve it with plenty of non-starchy vegetables.
