Chicken Breast with Feta and Spinach Recipe

Chicken Breast with Feta and Spinach is a simple yet elegant dish that combines lean chicken breasts, savory feta cheese, and fresh spinach for a healthy, flavorful meal. The creamy feta and the slightly bitter spinach pair wonderfully with the chicken, creating a well-balanced dish that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.

This recipe is not only nutritious but also easy to prepare and cook. Whether you’re looking for a low-carb meal, a high-protein option, or simply a satisfying dish, this recipe is a great choice. You can enjoy it with a side of roasted vegetables, rice, quinoa, or a fresh salad.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Breasts

1. Pound the Chicken Breasts: Place each chicken breast between two pieces of plastic wrap or parchment paper. Using a meat mallet or rolling pin, gently pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness, about 1/2 inch thick. This ensures the chicken cooks evenly.

2. Season the Chicken: Drizzle the chicken breasts with olive oil and season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dried oregano. If using paprika, sprinkle it on the chicken for a touch of color and flavor.

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Step 2: Prepare the Spinach and Feta Filling

1. Sauté the Spinach: Heat 1/2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add the chopped spinach to the pan and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure the spinach doesn’t burn.

2. Combine with Feta: Remove the skillet from the heat and let the spinach cool slightly. Once cooled, stir in the crumbled feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes (if using), and lemon juice. Mix until well combined.

Step 3: Stuff the Chicken Breasts

1. Stuff the Chicken: Place each seasoned chicken breast flat on a clean surface. Spoon about 2-3 tablespoons of the spinach and feta mixture onto the center of each chicken breast.

2. Secure the Chicken: Carefully fold the chicken breast over the filling, encasing it like a pocket. Use toothpicks to secure the edges if necessary, or tie the chicken with kitchen twine. This will ensure the filling stays inside during cooking.

Step 4: Cook the Chicken

1. Sear the Chicken: Heat the remaining olive oil and butter in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Once the skillet is hot, add the stuffed chicken breasts and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown. You want the chicken to develop a crispy exterior while staying juicy on the inside.

2. Deglaze the Pan (Optional): After browning the chicken, add 1/4 cup of chicken broth or white wine to the pan. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan (this adds flavor to the sauce). This step is optional but adds richness to the dish.

3. Bake the Chicken: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven (375°F / 190°C) and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (75°C) when measured with a meat thermometer. This ensures that the chicken is fully cooked through.

4. Rest the Chicken: Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. This helps the juices redistribute and keeps the chicken moist.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

1. Plate the Chicken: Remove the toothpicks or twine from the chicken. Slice the stuffed chicken breasts in half to reveal the creamy spinach and feta filling.

2. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle fresh parsley or basil on top for a burst of color and fresh flavor. Serve the chicken with a side of roasted vegetables, a light salad, or grains like quinoa or rice for a complete meal.

Tips for Success:

1. Chicken Breast Substitutes: If you prefer, you can use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts for a juicier and more flavorful alternative. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs will also work great for stuffing, though they may need slightly more time to cook due to their thickness.

2. Feta Alternatives: If you’re not a fan of feta, you can substitute it with goat cheese, ricotta, or mozzarella for a different flavor profile. However, feta’s tangy and salty profile pairs especially well with spinach.

3. Adding More Veggies: Feel free to add other vegetables to the spinach mixture for extra flavor and nutrition. Mushrooms, onions, or roasted bell peppers can be sautéed along with the spinach, or added raw to the stuffing.

4. Flavor Enhancements: For an extra burst of flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the spinach mixture for some heat. You can also experiment with different herbs like thyme, rosemary, or tarragon to change the dish’s flavor.

5. Make-Ahead: This recipe can be prepared ahead of time by stuffing the chicken breasts and refrigerating them. When ready to cook, simply sear and bake them as directed. This is a great option for meal prep or for hosting guests.

6. Baking in a Casserole Dish: If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, you can sear the chicken in a regular skillet, then transfer the stuffed chicken breasts to a casserole dish to bake. You can also make a simple sauce in the casserole dish with chicken broth, lemon, and herbs to keep the chicken moist during baking.

Variations of the Recipe:

1. Mediterranean Style: Add Kalamata olives and roasted red peppers to the feta and spinach mixture for a Mediterranean twist. Serve with a side of couscous or a Greek salad for a complete Mediterranean meal.

2. Stuffed Chicken with Mushrooms: Add sautéed mushrooms to the spinach and feta filling for a more earthy flavor. Mushrooms pair wonderfully with the creamy feta and the richness of the chicken.

3. Bacon-Wrapped Chicken: For a smoky, savory touch, wrap the stuffed chicken breasts with slices of bacon before baking. The bacon adds extra flavor and helps keep the chicken moist while it bakes.

4. Stuffed Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto: Mix sun-dried tomato pesto into the spinach and feta stuffing for a more vibrant, herby flavor. This variation is great for those who love bold, tangy flavors.

5. Low-Carb / Keto Option: Serve the chicken breast with a side of cauliflower rice or roasted zucchini to keep the dish low-carb or keto-friendly. You can also use a cauliflower-based tortilla as a wrap for a stuffed chicken “taco.”

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

• Healthy and Light: This dish is high in protein and low in carbs, making it a great choice for anyone watching their calorie intake or following a low-carb diet.
• Flavorful and Filling: The combination of feta, spinach, and garlic creates a rich and satisfying stuffing that complements the lean chicken perfectly.
• Quick and Easy: Despite looking elegant, this dish is easy to prepare and doesn’t take long to cook, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
• Customizable: Whether you’re into Mediterranean flavors or love a little heat, you can easily customize the stuffing to suit your tastes.

I hope this recipe gives you everything you need to make a delicious Chicken Breast with Feta and Spinach meal! It’s a versatile, flavorful dish that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Let me know if you need further variations or any more tips!

Yield: 4

Chicken Breast with Feta and Spinach Recipe

Print

Chicken Breast with Feta and Spinach is a simple yet elegant dish that combines lean chicken breasts, savory feta cheese, and fresh spinach for a healthy, flavorful meal. The creamy feta and the slightly bitter spinach pair wonderfully with the chicken, creating a well-balanced dish that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cups fresh spinach (roughly chopped)
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano (optional)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/2 cup chicken broth or white wine (optional, for deglazing)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional, for extra flavor)

Instructions

1. Prepare Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and dried oregano (if using).
2. Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 6-7 minutes per side, or until fully cooked (internal temperature should reach 165°F/75°C). Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
3. Sauté Spinach and Garlic: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add the spinach and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring until wilted.
4. Add Feta: Stir in the crumbled feta cheese with the spinach and garlic, and cook for another minute until the cheese starts to soften.
5. Deglaze the Pan (Optional): If desired, add the chicken broth or white wine to the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. This adds extra flavor to the dish.
6. Combine: Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, placing them on top of the spinach and feta mixture. Drizzle with lemon juice (if using), and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to warm the chicken and allow the flavors to meld.
7. Serve: Serve the chicken with the spinach and feta mixture spooned over the top. Enjoy!

Notes

• Variations: You can add sun-dried tomatoes, olives, or roasted red peppers for extra flavor. For a lighter version, you can use less feta or a lower-fat version of feta.
• Serving Suggestions: This dish pairs well with quinoa, couscous, rice, or roasted vegetables.
• Make Ahead: This recipe is great for meal prep. You can cook the chicken and spinach mixture ahead of time and reheat when ready to serve.
• One-pan Option: If you want a one-pan meal, you can bake the chicken in the oven. Just sear it in a hot oven-safe skillet for 2 minutes per side, then transfer to a preheated 375°F (190°C) oven for 20-25 minutes until fully cooked.
• Chicken Variations: If you prefer, you can use chicken thighs instead of breasts for a juicier option. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly.