Caprese Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Shadi HasanzadeNemati · This post may contain affiliate links .

Jump to Recipe

Caprese stuffed chicken breast is easy and packed with flavor. Juicy chicken breast stuffed with cheese, tomatoes and basil makes a delicious meal.

Caprese Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe (1)

Everyone needs a few delicious chicken recipes in their recipe collection. Our Persian chicken with saffron, Mediterranean chicken recipe and Moroccan chicken recipe are among our fan favorites. Today's recipe is easy stuffed chicken breast, which is simple enough to make for a weeknight dinner yet fancy enough for a gathering or a party.

“This post has been sponsored by Stella® Cheese. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

Have you ever tried stuffed chicken breast? It's a delicious way to elevate the humble chicken breast and add so much flavor to it. Plus, this chicken breast recipe calls for cheese and we all know no one can say no to that, right? I found Stella® Fontinella® Rubbed Cheese , which can be found at your local Safeway. Stuffing a chicken breast might seem intimidating but by following this easy recipe, you'll be able to make this cheese stuffed chicken in no time.

What do I need to make this dish?

To make this tasty chicken breast, you need the following ingredients:

  • Chicken breasts: preferably plump and all the same size.
  • Olive oil: as always, extra virgin is preferred.
  • Salt, pepper, garlic and oregano
  • Stella® Fontinella® Basil Pesto cheese: available at your local Safeway.
  • Tomatoes: I love using fresh tomatoes.
  • Basil: fresh basil works best in this recipe.
  • Pesto: for extra flavor.
  • Balsamic and brown sugar for a balsamic sauce.
Caprese Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe (2)

I used Stella® Fontinella® Rubbed Cheese (basil pesto) to make this recipe. The fresh flavor of garlic and basil is perfect for this recipe because Stella® Fontinella® Rubbed Wedges are carefully hand-rubbed to create unique flavors. The hand-rubbing enhances the flavor of Stella® Cheese, which is known for its smooth and creamy flavor and texture with just a hint of sharpness.

Caprese Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe (3)

How to make stuffed chicken with cheese, tomato and basil

Preheat the oven to 350F. Cut the chicken lengthwise but don't cut it all the way through, ¾ way is enough. In a small bowl, mix olive oil, salt, pepper, oregano and minced garlic. Rub this mixture inside and outside of the chicken breast. Spread pesto inside the chicken and then stuff it with tomato slices, basil andStella® Cheese. Seal the open side of the chicken breast using 3-5 toothpicks.

Heat a cast iron pan over medium heat and once it's hot, sear the stuffed chicken on both sides until golden brown but not cooked all the way through. Place the cast iron skillet in the oven and bake the chicken breasts in the oven for 15-20 minutes until fully cooked. Remove the toothpicks and serve warm.

Caprese Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe (4)

What's the best way to make stuffed chicken?

You can make stuffed chicken in the oven or on the stove. This stuffed chicken recipe calls for searing the chicken breast first and then finishing the cooking in the oven. This way, the chicken breast will stay juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside. To make baked stuffed chicken breast, leave out the searing part and bake the chicken breast in the oven for about 30 minutes until fully cooked.

How long to cook stuffed chicken

It takes about 8 minutes to sear the chicken breast in the pan over medium heat and about 18 minutes in the oven to cook completely. Your dish will be ready in 30 minutes.

Caprese Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe (5)

How do you know when stuffed chicken is done?

The first sign that your stuffed chicken is fully cooked is that if you cut into it, juices will run clear. If you insert a meat thermometer into the chicken breast, it should register at 170F. The meat won't be pink at all and will shred easily.

What goes well with chicken breast?

I love this caprese recipe because it goes well with many delicious side dishes such as pressure cooker brown rice, garlic buttermashed potatoes, Greek potatoes, a simple Mediterranean salador a caprese pasta salad.

Caprese Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe (6)

Looking for more recipes?

  • Garlic Lemon Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breast

Notes and tips to make this recipe

  • If the chicken breast is too thick, pound it a few times before cutting it through.
  • Can you make stuffed chicken breast ahead of time?Yes. Prepare the chicken breast and stuff it but don't cook it. Wrap it in plastic wrap and store it in a plastic bag. Freeze for up to one month. To cook, thaw in the fridge overnight and proceed with the cooking instructions in the recipe card.
  • How to store: if you have leftover cooked chicken breast, place it in an airtight glass container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Reheat in oven at 250F for 10-20 minutes until heated through.
  • Make sure you properly seal the open end of the cheese stuffed chicken as they contain cheese.
  • To make this recipe with spinach and cheese, saute 1 ½ cup spinach in 1 tablespoon olive oil and use it in the filling with tomato,Stella® Cheese and basil.
Caprese Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe (7)

Step-by-Step Recipe

Caprese Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe (8)

Caprese Stuffed Chicken Breast

Shadi HasanzadeNemati

Caprese stuffed chicken breast is easy and packed with flavor. Juicy chicken breast stuffed with cheese, tomatoes and basil makes a delicious meal.

5 from 4 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 4 servings

Calories 603 kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 chicken breasts boneless and skinless
  • 5 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoon basil pesto
  • 8 slices Stella® Fontinella® Basil Pesto Cheese
  • 4 slices tomatoes cut in half
  • 8 fresh basil leaves
  • ½ cup balsamic vinegar
  • 3 tablespoon brown sugar

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350F.

  • Cut each chicken breast lengthwise to make a pocket, make sure not to slice it all the way through.

  • In a small bowl, mix 3 tablespoon olive oil, salt, pepper, oregano and garlic. Brush this mixture inside and outside of the chicken breasts.

  • Spread pesto inside all chicken breasts and stuff with basil, tomato andStella® Fontinella® Basil Pesto Cheese slices. Seal each chicken breast using toothpicks.

  • Heat the remaining two tablespoons olive oil in a cast iron skillet over medium heat until shimmering.

  • Sear the chicken breasts for about 4 minutes on each side until brown.

  • Transfer the cast iron skillet to the oven and let the chicken cook for another 15-20 minutes until fully cooked.

  • Meanwhile, mix balsamic vinegar and brown sugar in a sauce pan and bring to simmer. Reduce balsamic vinegar until you have a semi-thick sauce.

  • Once the chicken is fully cooked, drizzle with sauce and serve warm.

Notes

  • If the chicken breast is too thick, pound it a few times before cutting it through.
  • Can you make stuffed chicken breast ahead of time?Yes. Prepare the chicken breast and stuff it. Wrap the raw stuffed chicken breast in plastic wrap and store it in a plastic bag. Freeze for up to one month. To cook, thaw in the fridge overnight and proceed with the cooking instructions in the recipe card.
  • How to store cheese stuffed chicken breast: if you have leftover cooked chicken breast, place it in an airtight glass container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Reheat in oven at 250F for 10-20 minutes until heated through.
  • Make sure you properly seal the open end of the cheese stuffed chicken as they contain cheese.
  • To make spinach and cheese stuffed chicken breast,saute 1 ½ cup spinach in 1 tablespoon olive oil and use it in the filling with tomato,Stella® Cheese and basil.

Nutrition

Calories: 603kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 54gFat: 33gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 168mgSodium: 1058mgPotassium: 996mgFiber: 1gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 720IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 221mgIron: 2mg

Did you make this recipe? Let us know how it was by leaving a comment and a 5-star review!

Caprese Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What's the best way to stuff chicken breast? ›

Use a soup spoon or your hands to scoop the filling into the pocket of each breast. Pin the breast closed. Use a toothpick to hold each pocket closed by inserting it on either side of the pocket. Brown the breasts.

What is caprese chicken made of? ›

This Caprese Chicken has the most flavorful balsamic sauce, seasoned and seared chicken, fresh tomatoes, and basil. It comes together quickly in a skillet before a brief bake in the oven to melt the fresh mozzarella cheese! Be sure to serve this with greens and beans and smashed or roasted potatoes!

How do you keep chicken breast chunks moist? ›

It's a basic technique—simply use your spoon or spatula to pick up hot oil or butter from the pan, then pour it over the meat as it cooks. This helps distribute the fat and juices, keeps moisture intact as the meat cooks, enhances flavor, and results in a more even cook.

Is it better to bake chicken at 350 or 400? ›

A 4-ounce chicken breast should be roasted at 350°F (177˚C) for 25 to 30 minutes. Knowing how to properly prepare chicken can keep you safe and well-fed.

What's the difference between burrata and caprese? ›

Burrata is a soft cheese ball with a creamy center, whereas caprese is a simple Italian salad that can be made with either burrata or fresh mozzarella. What is the difference between burrata and mozzarella? Burrata and mozzarella are both creamy, white, semi-soft Italian cheeses very similar in appearance.

Why is it called caprese? ›

The salad is named after the island of Capri, where it is believed to have originated. Two common stories about its origin include it being an homage to the Italian flag or "in the 20th century to appease the palates of vacationing royalty and important politicos".

Why is caprese so good? ›

Caprese is truly a magical and perfect combination of flavors, textures, and freshness: ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, basil, and some kind of drizzle of either olive oil or balsamic… or both. For this Caprese, I used a simple balsamic reduction, which results in a pretty presentation and gorgeous flavor.

How do you keep stuffed chicken breast closed? ›

The most traditional way to stuff chicken breast is to cut a two to three-inch length-wise slit into the thickest part of the breast to create a side pocket that will hug the stuffing mixture. Using toothpicks to seal the pocket helps to keep the filling in, but it's not a must if you don't have any on hand.

How do you stuff chicken without it falling out? ›

Stash the Good Stuff in a Pocket

To successfully stuff a chicken breast, you'll need to cut a pocket into it to hold the filling. The pocket should be deep and wide enough to get the filling into, but not so large that the filling can fall out during cooking.

Do you put the stuffing in the chicken before cooking? ›

If stuffing whole poultry, the ingredients for the stuffing can be prepared ahead of time. Keep wet and dry ingredients separated and chill. Mix wet and dry ingredients just before putting stuffing into a casserole or filling the bird's cavity. Make sure the bird is loosely stuffed and cook immediately after stuffing.

Does stuffing a chicken keep it moist? ›

Coated with butter and stuffed with bread, fresh veggies, and herbs, this chicken comes out moist every time. Roasted to perfection, the skin is crispy enough, and the meat is tender and juicy.

Do you cook stuffing before putting it in the chicken? ›

Many cooks prefer to cook the stuffing separately from the chicken. The stuffing is placed in a buttered baking dish and cooked during the last 45 minutes to an hour of the roasting time.

How do you stuff a chicken breast without it falling out? ›

Stash the Good Stuff in a Pocket

To successfully stuff a chicken breast, you'll need to cut a pocket into it to hold the filling. The pocket should be deep and wide enough to get the filling into, but not so large that the filling can fall out during cooking.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Msgr. Refugio Daniel

Last Updated:

Views: 6299

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (54 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Msgr. Refugio Daniel

Birthday: 1999-09-15

Address: 8416 Beatty Center, Derekfort, VA 72092-0500

Phone: +6838967160603

Job: Mining Executive

Hobby: Woodworking, Knitting, Fishing, Coffee roasting, Kayaking, Horseback riding, Kite flying

Introduction: My name is Msgr. Refugio Daniel, I am a fine, precious, encouraging, calm, glamorous, vivacious, friendly person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.