Caprese Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Shadi HasanzadeNemati · This post may contain affiliate links .

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Caprese stuffed chicken breast is easy and packed with flavor. Juicy chicken breast stuffed with cheese, tomatoes and basil makes a delicious meal.

Caprese Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe (1)

Everyone needs a few delicious chicken recipes in their recipe collection. Our Persian chicken with saffron, Mediterranean chicken recipe and Moroccan chicken recipe are among our fan favorites. Today's recipe is easy stuffed chicken breast, which is simple enough to make for a weeknight dinner yet fancy enough for a gathering or a party.

“This post has been sponsored by Stella® Cheese. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

Have you ever tried stuffed chicken breast? It's a delicious way to elevate the humble chicken breast and add so much flavor to it. Plus, this chicken breast recipe calls for cheese and we all know no one can say no to that, right? I found Stella® Fontinella® Rubbed Cheese , which can be found at your local Safeway. Stuffing a chicken breast might seem intimidating but by following this easy recipe, you'll be able to make this cheese stuffed chicken in no time.

What do I need to make this dish?

To make this tasty chicken breast, you need the following ingredients:

  • Chicken breasts: preferably plump and all the same size.
  • Olive oil: as always, extra virgin is preferred.
  • Salt, pepper, garlic and oregano
  • Stella® Fontinella® Basil Pesto cheese: available at your local Safeway.
  • Tomatoes: I love using fresh tomatoes.
  • Basil: fresh basil works best in this recipe.
  • Pesto: for extra flavor.
  • Balsamic and brown sugar for a balsamic sauce.
Caprese Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe (2)

I used Stella® Fontinella® Rubbed Cheese (basil pesto) to make this recipe. The fresh flavor of garlic and basil is perfect for this recipe because Stella® Fontinella® Rubbed Wedges are carefully hand-rubbed to create unique flavors. The hand-rubbing enhances the flavor of Stella® Cheese, which is known for its smooth and creamy flavor and texture with just a hint of sharpness.

Caprese Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe (3)

How to make stuffed chicken with cheese, tomato and basil

Preheat the oven to 350F. Cut the chicken lengthwise but don't cut it all the way through, ¾ way is enough. In a small bowl, mix olive oil, salt, pepper, oregano and minced garlic. Rub this mixture inside and outside of the chicken breast. Spread pesto inside the chicken and then stuff it with tomato slices, basil andStella® Cheese. Seal the open side of the chicken breast using 3-5 toothpicks.

Heat a cast iron pan over medium heat and once it's hot, sear the stuffed chicken on both sides until golden brown but not cooked all the way through. Place the cast iron skillet in the oven and bake the chicken breasts in the oven for 15-20 minutes until fully cooked. Remove the toothpicks and serve warm.

Caprese Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe (4)

What's the best way to make stuffed chicken?

You can make stuffed chicken in the oven or on the stove. This stuffed chicken recipe calls for searing the chicken breast first and then finishing the cooking in the oven. This way, the chicken breast will stay juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside. To make baked stuffed chicken breast, leave out the searing part and bake the chicken breast in the oven for about 30 minutes until fully cooked.

How long to cook stuffed chicken

It takes about 8 minutes to sear the chicken breast in the pan over medium heat and about 18 minutes in the oven to cook completely. Your dish will be ready in 30 minutes.

Caprese Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe (5)

How do you know when stuffed chicken is done?

The first sign that your stuffed chicken is fully cooked is that if you cut into it, juices will run clear. If you insert a meat thermometer into the chicken breast, it should register at 170F. The meat won't be pink at all and will shred easily.

What goes well with chicken breast?

I love this caprese recipe because it goes well with many delicious side dishes such as pressure cooker brown rice, garlic buttermashed potatoes, Greek potatoes, a simple Mediterranean salador a caprese pasta salad.

Caprese Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe (6)

Looking for more recipes?

  • Garlic Lemon Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breast

Notes and tips to make this recipe

  • If the chicken breast is too thick, pound it a few times before cutting it through.
  • Can you make stuffed chicken breast ahead of time?Yes. Prepare the chicken breast and stuff it but don't cook it. Wrap it in plastic wrap and store it in a plastic bag. Freeze for up to one month. To cook, thaw in the fridge overnight and proceed with the cooking instructions in the recipe card.
  • How to store: if you have leftover cooked chicken breast, place it in an airtight glass container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Reheat in oven at 250F for 10-20 minutes until heated through.
  • Make sure you properly seal the open end of the cheese stuffed chicken as they contain cheese.
  • To make this recipe with spinach and cheese, saute 1 ½ cup spinach in 1 tablespoon olive oil and use it in the filling with tomato,Stella® Cheese and basil.
Caprese Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe (7)

Step-by-Step Recipe

Caprese Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe (8)

Caprese Stuffed Chicken Breast

Shadi HasanzadeNemati

Caprese stuffed chicken breast is easy and packed with flavor. Juicy chicken breast stuffed with cheese, tomatoes and basil makes a delicious meal.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 4 servings

Calories 603 kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 chicken breasts boneless and skinless
  • 5 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoon basil pesto
  • 8 slices Stella® Fontinella® Basil Pesto Cheese
  • 4 slices tomatoes cut in half
  • 8 fresh basil leaves
  • ½ cup balsamic vinegar
  • 3 tablespoon brown sugar

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350F.

  • Cut each chicken breast lengthwise to make a pocket, make sure not to slice it all the way through.

  • In a small bowl, mix 3 tablespoon olive oil, salt, pepper, oregano and garlic. Brush this mixture inside and outside of the chicken breasts.

  • Spread pesto inside all chicken breasts and stuff with basil, tomato andStella® Fontinella® Basil Pesto Cheese slices. Seal each chicken breast using toothpicks.

  • Heat the remaining two tablespoons olive oil in a cast iron skillet over medium heat until shimmering.

  • Sear the chicken breasts for about 4 minutes on each side until brown.

  • Transfer the cast iron skillet to the oven and let the chicken cook for another 15-20 minutes until fully cooked.

  • Meanwhile, mix balsamic vinegar and brown sugar in a sauce pan and bring to simmer. Reduce balsamic vinegar until you have a semi-thick sauce.

  • Once the chicken is fully cooked, drizzle with sauce and serve warm.

Notes

  • If the chicken breast is too thick, pound it a few times before cutting it through.
  • Can you make stuffed chicken breast ahead of time?Yes. Prepare the chicken breast and stuff it. Wrap the raw stuffed chicken breast in plastic wrap and store it in a plastic bag. Freeze for up to one month. To cook, thaw in the fridge overnight and proceed with the cooking instructions in the recipe card.
  • How to store cheese stuffed chicken breast: if you have leftover cooked chicken breast, place it in an airtight glass container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Reheat in oven at 250F for 10-20 minutes until heated through.
  • Make sure you properly seal the open end of the cheese stuffed chicken as they contain cheese.
  • To make spinach and cheese stuffed chicken breast,saute 1 ½ cup spinach in 1 tablespoon olive oil and use it in the filling with tomato,Stella® Cheese and basil.

Nutrition

Calories: 603kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 54gFat: 33gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 168mgSodium: 1058mgPotassium: 996mgFiber: 1gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 720IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 221mgIron: 2mg

Did you make this recipe? Let us know how it was by leaving a comment and a 5-star review!

Caprese Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What's the best way to stuff chicken breast? ›

Use a soup spoon or your hands to scoop the filling into the pocket of each breast. Pin the breast closed. Use a toothpick to hold each pocket closed by inserting it on either side of the pocket. Brown the breasts.

What is caprese chicken made of? ›

This Caprese Chicken has the most flavorful balsamic sauce, seasoned and seared chicken, fresh tomatoes, and basil. It comes together quickly in a skillet before a brief bake in the oven to melt the fresh mozzarella cheese! Be sure to serve this with greens and beans and smashed or roasted potatoes!

How to make a pocket to stuff chicken breast? ›

Cut an opening through the breast. Cut an opening about 3 inches wide, then cut 3/4 of the way through the breast to create a pocket without cutting all the way through. Repeat with the remaining breasts. Dry and season the chicken: Thoroughly dry the chicken on all sides with paper towels.

What is the best way to cook chicken breasts to keep them moist? ›

  1. Flatten the chicken breasts. ...
  2. Heat the pan. ...
  3. Cook the chicken breasts over medium heat for 1 minute without moving. ...
  4. Flip the chicken breasts. ...
  5. Turn the heat down to low. ...
  6. Cover the pan and cook on low for 10 minutes. ...
  7. Turn off the heat and let sit for an additional 10 minutes. ...
  8. Remove lid and take temperature.

How do you keep chicken breast moist when baking? ›

Brine the chicken: Soaking the chicken in a brine solution (water and salt) for a few hours before baking can help to keep it moist and tender. Add a liquid: Adding a bit of liquid, such as chicken broth, white wine, or even water to the baking dish can help to keep the chicken moist and tender.

Why is caprese so good? ›

Caprese is truly a magical and perfect combination of flavors, textures, and freshness: ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, basil, and some kind of drizzle of either olive oil or balsamic… or both. For this Caprese, I used a simple balsamic reduction, which results in a pretty presentation and gorgeous flavor.

What does caprese mean in Italian? ›

As it's called in Italian, Insalata caprese, Caprese salad literally means “Salad of Capri.” Although nobody knows whether or not the salad was actually first made on the Italian island, it likely originated from a dish made in Capri from a different type of cheese, cacio, served with tomatoes.

Why is it called caprese? ›

The salad is named after the island of Capri, where it is believed to have originated. Two common stories about its origin include it being an homage to the Italian flag or "in the 20th century to appease the palates of vacationing royalty and important politicos".

Should you butterfly chicken breast before marinating? ›

Tips for marinating chicken

For the juiciest, most tender chicken, butterfly your chicken breasts and pound them out, so they are an even thickness before marinating.

What kind of knife do you use to butterfly a chicken breast? ›

So, now that you know why you're butterflying, here's how. First, you'll need a sharp knife, preferably a boning knife (that's the slightly flexible, skinny-bladed one), but a chef's knife or even a paring knife (depending on the size of the chicken breast) will do.

Is it better to butterfly or pound chicken breast? ›

Faster cooking means less time in the kitchen, more time to spend procrastinating on the internet. Butterflying a breast and pounding it out to about 1/4-inch in thickness can decrease your cooking time from 8 to 10 minutes all the way down to about 2 minutes.

How do you secure stuffed chicken breast? ›

Fill with stuffing. Thread a small bamboo skewer through to enclose the stuffing so it doesn't fall out.

Is it safe to stuff chicken breast? ›

Cooking stuffed poultry, pork chops, and other meat can be somewhat riskier than cooking them unstuffed. Bacteria can survive in stuffing that has not reached the safe minimum internal temperature of 165 °F, possibly resulting in foodborne illness.

How do you close stuffed chicken without toothpicks? ›

Here is what you can do instead: Use a piece of dry spaghetti in place of toothpicks. Dry spaghetti works as a perfect substitute for toothpicks.

How do you stuff chicken without it falling out? ›

Here's how to make the pocket for the chicken breast stuffing.
  1. Place one hand on top of chicken to keep it steady. Insert a sharp knife in the middle of the thickest part. ...
  2. Make a slit about 5cm long. Run the knife into the breast until it's three-quarters of the way through. ...
  3. Fill with stuffing.

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