Spinach Ricotta Stuffed Chicken (Printable version)

Juicy chicken breasts filled with creamy spinach and ricotta cheese, topped with a crispy parmesan crust for an elegant dinner.

# What you need:

→ Chicken Preparation

01 - 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

→ Spinach Ricotta Filling

05 - 1 cup ricotta cheese
06 - 1 cup baby spinach chopped
07 - 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
08 - 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
09 - 1 garlic clove minced
10 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
11 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Topping

13 - 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
14 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

# How To:

01 - Preheat your oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a baking dish with cooking spray or a small amount of olive oil.
02 - Slice each chicken breast lengthwise through the thickest part, opening it like a book without cutting completely through. Season both sides with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
03 - Combine ricotta cheese, chopped spinach, 1/3 cup parmesan, mozzarella, minced garlic, nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a mixing bowl. Mix until thoroughly incorporated.
04 - Divide the spinach ricotta mixture evenly among the chicken breasts, spreading it over one side of each butterflied breast. Fold the opposite side over to enclose the filling completely.
05 - Secure the stuffed breasts with toothpicks if needed to prevent filling from escaping during baking. Arrange in the prepared baking dish. Brush tops with 1 tablespoon olive oil and sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup parmesan cheese.
06 - Bake for 25-30 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the tops develop a golden brown crust. The filling should be hot and bubbly.
07 - Remove from oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute. Remove toothpicks carefully. Slice crosswise to reveal the filling and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Company worthy dinner that looks fancy but comes together in under an hour
  • The creamy ricotta filling keeps the chicken incredibly moist even after baking
  • Easily doubles for meal prep or freezes beautifully for busy weeknights
02 -
  • Overstuffing causes the filling to burst during baking so resist the urge to use every last bit
  • Letting the chicken rest before cutting keeps all those delicious juices inside instead of on your cutting board
  • Use an instant read thermometer to check doneness without cutting into the chicken
03 -
  • Pound the chicken lightly between plastic wrap before butterflying for even thinner pieces
  • Squeeze thawed frozen spinach in a clean kitchen towel to prevent soggy filling
  • Pat the chicken dry with paper towels before seasoning for better browning

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