Irresistibly Delicious Broccoli and Cheese Stuffed Chicken: Your Ultimate Weeknight Meal

Transform your dinner routine with this sensationally flavorful and incredibly satisfying Broccoli and Cheese Stuffed Chicken. Imagine tender, juicy chicken breasts, perfectly pan-seared to a golden crisp, then oven-baked to succulent perfection. Each bite unveils a creamy, rich, and utterly addictive stuffing—a vibrant blend of fresh broccoli, sharp cheddar, tangy cream cheese, zesty sun-dried tomatoes, and a hint of fiery jalapeño. This isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience that combines two beloved comfort foods into one hearty, easy-to-make dish, guaranteed to become a new family favorite!

Are you searching for that elusive weeknight dinner that balances gourmet flavor with effortless preparation? Look no further. Our Broccoli and Cheese Stuffed Chicken offers a symphony of textures and tastes, where every component plays a crucial role. The tender chicken provides a perfect canvas, while the robust and vibrant stuffing elevates the dish to culinary heights. It’s hearty enough to satisfy the most demanding appetites and simple enough for even novice cooks to master. This recipe proves that healthy, delicious eating doesn’t have to be complicated.

If you’re a fan of creative chicken preparations, explore more of our stuffed chicken recipes! You might also love our Cheesy Sundried Tomato Stuffed Chicken or our fresh and vibrant Bruschetta Stuffed Chicken Recipe!

Why You’ll Absolutely Love This Broccoli and Cheese Stuffed Chicken Recipe

This dish isn’t just another chicken recipe; it’s a culinary delight packed with reasons to fall in love. Here’s what makes it truly special:

• Exquisite Broccoli Cheese Stuffing: Prepare for a flavor explosion! This stuffing is a dreamy combination of creamy, rich, and perfectly seasoned ingredients. With soft cream cheese, sharp cheddar, tender broccoli, tangy sun-dried tomatoes, a crunch of bell pepper, and the subtle kick of jalapeño, it’s a melty, savory filling that’s utterly addictive. It provides a beautiful contrast to the lean chicken breast.
• Perfectly Cooked, Succulent Chicken: We start with boneless, skinless chicken breasts, lightly seasoned with an aromatic spice blend. A quick pan-sear creates a gorgeous golden-brown crust, locking in juices and adding a wonderful texture. Finishing in the oven ensures the chicken cooks through evenly, resulting in incredibly tender, moist, and succulent meat every single time. No dry chicken here!
• A Hearty and Wholesome Weeknight Meal: This dish is incredibly satisfying and comforting, making it ideal for a busy weeknight. It’s packed with protein, fiber, and essential nutrients, guaranteed to keep everyone feeling full and content. Despite its gourmet appeal, the steps are straightforward, making it achievable for any home cook looking for a delicious and nutritious meal without the fuss.
• Versatility and Customization: While the core recipe is stellar, it’s also wonderfully adaptable. You can easily adjust the spice level, swap cheeses, or add other vegetables to the stuffing, making it a truly personalized culinary creation.

Essential Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering your ingredients is the first step towards creating this masterpiece. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need, focusing on fresh, quality components:

• Chicken Breasts: Opt for large, boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Their size is ideal for creating a generous pocket for the stuffing. Fresh is always best for optimal flavor and texture.
• Aromatic Seasoning Blend: This carefully crafted mix includes freshly cracked black pepper for a pungent kick, onion powder and garlic powder for depth, sweet paprika for color and mild flavor, and Italian seasoning for an herbaceous aroma. This blend perfectly complements the chicken without overpowering the stuffing.
• Olive Oil: Essential for pan-searing the chicken to a beautiful golden-brown and ensuring a moist finish. Choose a good quality extra virgin olive oil for best results.
• Whole Lime: Used to rub the chicken before seasoning, the lime juice not only adds a bright, citrusy note but also helps to tenderize the chicken and infuse it with a subtle tang.
• Chicken Broth: A small amount of chicken broth in the baking skillet creates a moist environment, preventing the chicken from drying out and contributing to a flavorful pan sauce.

For the Irresistible Stuffing

• Broccoli Florets: Fresh broccoli is key. Lightly steaming and finely chopping the florets ensures they integrate smoothly into the creamy mixture and cook perfectly inside the chicken.
• Cream Cheese: The backbone of the creamy stuffing. Full-fat cream cheese provides the best texture and richness, creating that melt-in-your-mouth experience.
• Cheddar Cheese: Shredded cheddar, ideally a sharp or medium cheddar, adds a wonderful cheesy pull and robust flavor. If you enjoy a bit of heat, jalapeño cheddar is an excellent choice for an extra dimension of spice.
• Jalapeño: Fresh, finely diced jalapeño offers a gentle warmth and bright flavor. For less heat, remove the seeds and ribs. For more heat, leave some in!
• Bell Pepper: A small red bell pepper, finely diced, adds a touch of sweetness, vibrant color, and a slight crunch, enhancing the overall texture and visual appeal of the stuffing.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: These intensely flavorful tomatoes, finely chopped, bring a concentrated sweet-tart taste that beautifully balances the richness of the cheeses and adds a sophisticated depth to the stuffing.

How to Make the Best Broccoli and Cheese Stuffed Chicken: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating this impressive dish is simpler than you think. Follow these easy steps for a meal that looks and tastes like it came from a gourmet kitchen:

1. Prepare the Chicken Breasts: Start by carefully butterflying each large chicken breast. This means slicing horizontally through the thickest part of the breast to create a pocket, ensuring you don’t cut all the way through the other side. You want a deep cavity to hold your generous stuffing. Next, take a piece of fresh lime and rub it all over the chicken, both inside the pocket and on the exterior. This step adds a bright, fresh flavor and helps tenderize the meat.
2. Season the Chicken: In a small bowl, combine your black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Mix thoroughly. Generously sprinkle and rub this spice blend all over each chicken breast, making sure to season inside the pocket as well. This creates a flavorful base for the chicken itself.
3. Craft the Flavorful Stuffing: In a separate mixing bowl, combine the lightly steamed and finely chopped broccoli florets, softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar (or jalapeño cheddar), petite diced jalapeño, petite diced red bell pepper, and finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Mix these ingredients thoroughly until everything is well incorporated and evenly distributed.
4. Stuff and Secure: Now comes the fun part! Spoon a generous amount of your broccoli and cheese mixture into the pocket of each prepared chicken breast. Don’t be shy – pack it in! Gently fold the chicken over to enclose the stuffing. To keep the stuffing securely inside during cooking, use a few toothpicks to seal the edges of the chicken breast.



5. Pan-Sear for Golden Perfection: Heat the olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, carefully place the stuffed chicken breasts into the skillet. Pan-sear for about 4-5 minutes per side, until they develop a beautiful golden-brown crust. This step adds incredible flavor and texture, sealing in the juices.
6. Oven Bake to Finish: Pour ½ cup of chicken broth into the bottom of the skillet around the chicken breasts. Transfer the entire skillet to a pre-heated oven at 400°F (200°C). Bake for approximately 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) using a meat thermometer.



7. Rest and Serve: Once baked, remove the skillet from the oven. Crucially, allow the chicken to rest, covered loosely with aluminum foil, for about 5 minutes on your stovetop. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring maximum succulence and flavor. Before serving, carefully remove the toothpicks and garnish with some freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness. Enjoy your culinary creation!

Expert Tips and Notes for a Flawless Dish

Achieving perfection with this stuffed chicken is easy with a few insider tips:

• Finely Chop Broccoli: To ensure the stuffing holds together well and fits snugly inside the chicken pockets, make sure your broccoli florets are chopped quite small. This also helps them cook evenly and become tender.
• Choose Large Chicken Breasts: Larger chicken breasts are easier to butterfly and provide ample space for a generous amount of delicious stuffing. This ensures a satisfying filling-to-meat ratio.
• Don’t Cut Through: When creating the pocket in the chicken breast, be careful not to slice all the way through. You want to create a deep, secure pocket that will hold all the stuffing without leaking.
• Pre-Steam Broccoli: Lightly steaming your broccoli florets before mixing them into the stuffing ensures they are tender when the chicken is done. This prevents crunchy, undercooked broccoli in your creamy filling.
• Season Inside and Out: Don’t forget to rub your spice mix both on the outside of the chicken and generously inside the pocket. This layers the flavor and ensures every bite is seasoned perfectly.
• Oven-Safe Skillet is Key: An oven-safe skillet (like cast iron) allows for a seamless transition from stovetop searing to oven baking, saving you from using an extra dish. If you don’t have one, simply sear in a regular skillet, then transfer the chicken to an oven-safe baking dish before adding broth and baking.
• Control the Spice: For a milder stuffing, remove all the seeds and white ribs from the jalapeño before dicing. For more heat, you can leave some or all of them in.
• The Importance of Resting: Allowing the chicken to rest for 5 minutes after baking is a critical step. It allows the internal juices to redistribute, resulting in incredibly succulent and tender chicken. Skipping this can lead to drier meat.
• Cheese Swaps: While jalapeño cheddar adds a fantastic kick, you can certainly substitute it with regular sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, or even a blend of Italian cheeses for a different flavor profile.
• Stovetop-Only Option: If you prefer not to use an oven, after pan-searing the chicken for color, add the chicken broth, cover the skillet with a lid, and continue to cook on medium-low heat for 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked (165°F internal temperature).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are answers to some common questions you might have about making this delightful stuffed chicken:

• Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?
  Yes, you can! You can prepare the chicken by butterflying, seasoning, and stuffing it up to 24 hours in advance. Cover it tightly and refrigerate. When ready to cook, proceed with pan-searing and baking as directed. Allow the chicken to come closer to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before cooking for more even results.
• How do I store leftovers?
  Leftover stuffed chicken should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. It reheats beautifully in the microwave or a warm oven, though the pan-seared crust may soften slightly.
• Can I use frozen broccoli?
  Yes, you can use frozen broccoli florets. Make sure to thaw them completely and pat them very dry to remove excess moisture before lightly steaming and chopping. Excess water can make the stuffing watery.
• What if I don’t have cream cheese?
  While cream cheese provides the signature creamy texture, you could try substituting with ricotta cheese for a lighter, tangier stuffing, or even a béchamel-like sauce mixed with cheddar for a similar richness.
• Is this recipe spicy?
  The recipe uses one large jalapeño. If you remove the seeds and ribs, the heat will be very mild, offering more of a peppery flavor than a burning sensation. If you prefer more spice, you can leave some seeds in or add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the stuffing.
• Can I freeze stuffed chicken?
  Yes, you can freeze uncooked stuffed chicken breasts (without pan-searing) or fully cooked leftovers. For uncooked, wrap each stuffed breast tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before cooking. For cooked leftovers, freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

Perfect Pairings: What to Serve with This Broccoli and Cheese Stuffed Chicken

This hearty and flavorful dish pairs wonderfully with a variety of side dishes. Here are some tasty ideas to complete your meal:

• Creamy Easy Mashed Potatoes: The classic comfort pairing that soaks up all the delicious pan juices.
• Herb and Parmesan Oven Roasted Potatoes: Crispy, seasoned potatoes offer a delightful texture contrast.
• Lebanese Spicy Potatoes (Batata Harra): For those who love an extra kick, these zesty potatoes are a fantastic match.
• Crispy Oven Baked Brussel Sprouts: A simple, healthy green vegetable that roasts beautifully.
• Sweet Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots: Adds a touch of sweetness and vibrant color to your plate.
• Savory Roasted Garlic Mushrooms: Earthy and aromatic, these make a wonderful light side.
• A Simple Green Salad: A fresh mixed greens salad with a light vinaigrette provides a refreshing counterpoint to the rich chicken.
• Quinoa or Rice Pilaf: For a complete and wholesome meal, a side of fluffy quinoa or a flavorful rice pilaf would be excellent.

Mastering the Art: How to Butterfly a Chicken Breast

Butterflying a chicken breast is a simple technique that allows you to create a perfect pocket for stuffing. The goal is to make a secure cavity, not to cut the chicken completely in half.

To do this, place a chicken breast flat on your cutting board. Using a sharp knife, carefully slice horizontally through the thickest part of the breast. As you slice, ensure you stop cutting about ½ to ¾ of an inch from the sides and back edge of the chicken breast. This leaves a hinge, creating a pocket that can be opened like a book, ready for your delicious filling without splitting apart during cooking.

Ensuring Doneness: How to Know When Your Stuffed Chicken Breast is Fully Cooked

The safest and most accurate way to ensure your stuffed chicken breast is cooked through and safe to eat is by using a food thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken, making sure it doesn’t touch the stuffing or any bone (if using bone-in chicken, though this recipe calls for boneless).

The internal temperature of the stuffed chicken breast should reach and hold a minimum of 165°F (74°C). This temperature guarantees that the chicken is thoroughly cooked, moist, and free from harmful bacteria. Relying on visual cues alone can be misleading, so a thermometer is your best friend for food safety and perfect results.

Explore More Delicious Chicken Recipes

If you’ve enjoyed this stuffed chicken, you’ll love exploring other creative and mouth-watering chicken dishes from our kitchen:

• Easy One-Pan Chicken Fajita Bake
• Rich and Creamy Chicken Broccoli Recipe
• Comforting Fajita Chicken Mac N Cheese
• Zesty Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken

We are confident that this Broccoli and Cheese Stuffed Chicken recipe will become a cherished part of your culinary repertoire. Its blend of simplicity, incredible flavor, and satisfying heartiness makes it truly stand out. We encourage you to try it, savor every bite, and share your experiences with friends and family!

Broccoli and Cheese Stuffed Chicken

By: Mariam Ezzeddine

This Broccoli and Cheese Stuffed Chicken is all kinds of delicious! Succulent chicken breast is stuffed with the most flavorful broccoli, cream cheese and cheddar mix.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

• 4 whole chicken breasts
• 1 tsp. black pepper, freshly cracked
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsps. paprika
• 1 tsp. Italian seasoning, or your favorite blend
• 2 tbsps. olive oil
• 1 whole lime, for rubbing the chicken before stuffing.
• 1/2 cup chicken broth

Stuffing

• 2 cups broccoli florets, lightly steamed and chopped
• 4 oz. cream cheese
• 4 oz. jalapeno cheddar, shredded (or regular cheddar)
• 1 large jalapeno, petite diced (seeds and ribs removed for less heat)
• 1 small red bell pepper, petite diced
• 4 oz. sundried tomatoes, finely chopped

Instructions

1. Cut the chicken horizontally to form a pocket without cutting it all the way through. Rub the breast with a piece of lime all over, releasing some of the juice.
2. Mix the spices (black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning) in a small bowl and sprinkle it all over the chicken, both inside the pocket and on the outside.
3. In another bowl, place the stuffing ingredients (broccoli, cream cheese, cheddar, jalapeno, bell pepper, sundried tomatoes) and mix to incorporate them well together.
4. Place a generous amount of stuffing into the chicken pocket and wrap the chicken to cover the stuffing. Secure the sides with toothpicks to keep the filling enclosed.
5. Heat up the olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Pan sear the stuffed chicken breasts on each side for about 4-5 minutes to create a nice golden color on the outside.
6. Pour 1/2 cup of chicken broth to the bottom of the skillet. Transfer the skillet to a pre-heated 400°F (200°C) oven and cook for about 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken is 165°F (74°C).
7. Once the chicken is ready, remove from the oven and let it rest on your stovetop for 5 minutes, covered with aluminum foil. This crucial step allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring succulent chicken.
8. Remove the toothpicks and garnish with some freshly chopped parsley. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

• Chop your broccoli florets small so they can all fit inside the chicken.
• Use large chicken breasts for easier stuffing.
• Don’t cut your chicken all the way through when creating the pocket.
• Lightly steam your broccoli florets before mixing it into the stuffing for tenderness.
• Make sure to rub the spice mix outside and inside the chicken breast for maximum flavor.
• If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, sear the chicken in a regular skillet first, then transfer them to an oven-safe baking dish for baking.
• Remove seeds and ribs from the jalapeño if you prefer a less spicy filling.
• Allow your chicken to rest for 5 minutes before serving; this lets all the juices distribute throughout the chicken, making it super succulent!
• You can replace jalapeño cheddar with normal cheddar or another cheese of your choice.
• To cook on the stove only, after pan-searing for color, cover the skillet with a lid and cook on medium-low heat for 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked (165°F internal temperature).

Nutrition

Calories: 327kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 38mg | Sodium: 462mg | Potassium: 1333mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 2822IU | Vitamin C: 82mg | Calcium: 229mg | Iron: 4mg