Cheese-Stuffed Chicken Breast with Spinach and Garlic Butter

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Stuffed with melted cheese and sautéed spinach, finished with a rich garlic butter sauce for a keto-friendly entrée. This italian-inspired keto (low carb) ready in about 40 minutes pairs large, about 6 oz each chicken breasts, softened cream cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 2 Italian cuisine 520 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Using a sharp knife, carefully slice 2 large chicken breasts horizontally to create a pocket without cutting through.
  2. Step 2: In a bowl, combine 4 oz softened cream cheese, 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella, and 2 cups chopped fresh spinach. Mix until well blended.
  3. Step 3: Stuff each chicken breast pocket evenly with the cheese-spinach mixture. Secure with toothpicks if needed.
  4. Step 4: Season the stuffed chicken breasts with 1 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp dried oregano.
  5. Step 5: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken breasts and sear for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown.
  6. Step 6: Reduce heat to medium, add 4 tbsp unsalted butter and 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet. Spoon melted garlic butter over the chicken for 1 minute.
  7. Step 7: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and cheese is melted.
  8. Step 8: Remove toothpicks, spoon remaining garlic butter from the pan over the chicken, and serve hot.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Cheese-Stuffed Chicken Breast with Spinach and Garlic Butter take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Cheese-Stuffed Chicken Breast with Spinach and Garlic Butter?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep softened cream cheese from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Cheese-Stuffed Chicken Breast with Spinach and Garlic Butter?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Cheese-Stuffed Chicken Breast with Spinach and Garlic Butter for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Cheese-Stuffed Chicken Breast with Spinach and Garlic Butter keto?

Yes — this recipe is tagged keto, low carb, gluten free, high protein based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

Related recipes