Description
A light and elegant dish featuring tender chicken breasts stuffed with fresh asparagus spears, creamy mozzarella, and aromatic herbs, baked to perfection. This recipe is perfect for a nutritious and flavorful dinner that is both simple to prepare and impressive to serve.
Ingredients
Chicken and Filling
- 4 chicken breasts, butterflied
- 12 asparagus spears, trimmed
- 1 cup mozzarella, shredded
Seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the stuffed chicken breasts.
- Prepare Chicken: Butterfly the chicken breasts by slicing them horizontally without cutting all the way through, creating a pocket for the filling.
- Stuff Chicken: Place 3 trimmed asparagus spears inside each butterflied chicken breast along with a generous handful of shredded mozzarella cheese. Secure each breast with toothpicks to keep the filling in place while baking.
- Season: Evenly season the outside of each stuffed chicken breast with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to enhance the flavors.
- Bake: Arrange the stuffed chicken breasts on a baking dish and bake in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through, the cheese has melted, and the asparagus is tender.
Notes
- To ensure even cooking, pound chicken breasts to an even thickness before butterflying if needed.
- Use fresh mozzarella for a creamier texture or low-moisture mozzarella to reduce excess liquid.
- Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes after baking for juicier results.
- Remove toothpicks carefully before serving to avoid injury.
- Optional: Add fresh herbs like basil or thyme for additional flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
