Stuffed Pesto Chicken
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
20 mins
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Total Time
35 mins
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Servings
4
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Calories
732 kcal
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Course
Main Course, Dinner
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Cuisine
American
Stuffed Pesto Chicken
Description
The recipe begins by creating a pocket in each chicken breast to hold feta cheese, which melts during cooking to create a creamy, salty filling. A dry rub of paprika, cumin, oregano, thyme, and salt is applied to bring a warm, slightly smoky and herbaceous flavor profile to the chicken’s exterior.
After seasoning, the chicken is seared in olive oil over medium-high heat to get a browned outside while maintaining juiciness inside. Pesto is spooned over the chicken before placing the pan in a preheated oven to finish cooking. Baking for about 15-20 minutes ensures the chicken cooks evenly and pesto flavors infuse.
Cherry tomatoes and additional pesto or feta can be added as a garnish to brighten the plate. This dish pairs well with pasta or potatoes, providing a balanced meal featuring tender chicken with creamy, tangy feta and herbaceous pesto layers.
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breast boneless skinless
- 1 cup feta cheese
- 1/4 cup paprika this is not a typo
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme
- 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
- 3 Tablespoons olive oil extra virgin
- 1 cup pesto HemisFares brand
- 2 1/2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup cherry tomato sliced in half, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- With sharp knife cut a slit into chicken breasts not cutting all the way through, just creating a "pocket".
- Stuff each "pocket" with feta cheese.
- In small bowl combine: paprika, cumin, oregano, thyme and salt. Rub mixture over each chicken breast and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in cast-iron or stainless steel skillet (oven safe) over medium-high heat.
- When oil is hot, add chicken and cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side.
- Spoon pesto over chicken, cover, and place in preheated oven.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes (chicken breast thickness vary greatly) until cooked through and no longer pink inside.
- Remove and top with extra pesto (optional), any extra feta cheese, and cherry tomatoes.
- Serve with pasta or potatoes (see notes above).
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 732 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 732kcal | 37% |
| Carbohydrates | 17g | 6% |
| Protein | 38g | 76% |
| Fat | 59g | 91% |
| Saturated Fat | 16g | 80% |
| Cholesterol | 130mg | 43% |
| Sodium | 2085mg | 87% |
| Potassium | 856mg | 18% |
| Fiber | 6g | 24% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 8905IU | 178% |
| Vitamin C | 8.1mg | 9% |
| Calcium | 430mg | 43% |
| Iron | 4.8mg | 27% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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