Roasted Red Pepper, Spinach, and Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken
Juicy chicken breasts stuffed with roasted red peppers, spinach, and three kinds of cheese, then baked in a creamy mozzarella sauce. A comforting, flavorful dinner ready in under an hour.
Equipment
- Oven
- Skillet
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Baking Dish
- Toothpicks
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts about 6-8 ounces each, pounded to 1/2-inch thickness
- 1 tbsp olive oil for brushing chicken
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Filling
- 10 oz frozen chopped spinach thawed and squeezed dry
- 12 oz roasted red peppers drained and chopped
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese room temperature
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg lightly beaten
Sauce
- 2 tbsp butter divided
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese for sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Pound chicken breasts to 1/2-inch thickness and brush both sides with a mix of olive oil, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- In a bowl, mix spinach, roasted red peppers, mozzarella, ricotta, Parmesan, and egg until well combined.
- Spread about 1/4 of the filling over each chicken breast. Roll up tightly and secure with toothpicks.
- Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat and sear chicken rolls on all sides until golden, about 2–3 minutes per side.
- In a saucepan, melt remaining butter, whisk in flour, and cook for 1 minute to form a roux.
- Gradually add chicken broth and milk, whisking constantly until smooth and slightly thickened.
- Stir in heavy cream and mozzarella until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
- Pour sauce over seared chicken and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Let rest 5 minutes before serving. Remove toothpicks and drizzle with extra sauce.
Notes
Use freshly grated cheese for the smoothest sauce. Substitute ricotta with cream cheese if preferred. Serve with pasta, rice, or roasted vegetables for a full meal.