Description
Delightful Mediterranean-style asparagus stuffed chicken breast combines tender poultry with crisp green vegetables and creamy cheese. Herb-infused seasonings and simple preparation make this dish an elegant meal you can easily master.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 skinless boneless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs / 680 g)
- 12 asparagus stalks, ends trimmed
- 4 slices mozzarella cheese
- 1 oz (28 g) sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- sea salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Preparation: Create a culinary workspace with all ingredients within reach, ensuring a smooth cooking process.
- Seasoning: Massage chicken breasts with a harmonious blend of Italian seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper, infusing deep, complex flavors into the meat.
- Pocket Formation: Using precision, carve a delicate horizontal pocket within each chicken breast, maintaining the meat’s structural integrity while creating a space for the luxurious filling.
- Filling Assembly: Construct an elegant flavor profile by layering mozzarella cheese, asparagus stalks, and sun-dried tomatoes, carefully rolling the ingredients into a compact, tantalizing mixture.
- Sealing Technique: Secure the chicken breasts with toothpicks, creating a tight seal that prevents the flavorful filling from escaping during the cooking process.
- Searing Stage: Heat a cast-iron skillet with olive oil, transforming the chicken’s exterior into a golden-brown masterpiece by searing each side for 3-5 minutes.
- Roasting Finale: Transition the skillet directly into a 400°F (200°C) oven, allowing the chicken to roast for 15-20 minutes until it reaches a perfect internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), ensuring juicy, fully cooked meat with a visually appealing opaque appearance.
Notes
- Pocket Precision: Create a clean, precise pocket in the chicken without cutting through, ensuring the filling stays intact during cooking.
- Filling Balance: Layer ingredients compactly to prevent overstuffing, which can cause uneven cooking and potential filling leakage.
- Searing Technique: Brown the chicken in a hot skillet before baking to lock in moisture and develop a rich, caramelized exterior.
- Temperature Control: Use a meat thermometer to verify the chicken reaches 165°F, guaranteeing safe consumption and preventing dry meat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking/Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 323
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 483 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 44 g
- Cholesterol: 109 mg