Cheese-Stuffed Chicken Thighs with Creamed Spinach

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy chicken thighs stuffed with melted cheese served alongside a rich, creamy spinach sauté, perfect for a keto dinner. This american-inspired keto (keto, low-carb) ready in about 40 minutes pairs boneless skin-on chicken thighs, 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 4, 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 4 American cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Mix 4 oz softened cream cheese with 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese in a bowl until combined.
  2. Step 2: Carefully loosen the skin of 4 boneless skin-on chicken thighs and spread the cheese mixture evenly under each skin. Season the outside with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
  3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Place chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 5 minutes until golden and crispy. Flip and cook 2 minutes on the other side.
  4. Step 4: Transfer skillet to the oven and bake chicken for 15 minutes until cooked through and cheese is melted.
  5. Step 5: Meanwhile, melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter in a large pan over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
  6. Step 6: Add 6 cups chopped fresh spinach, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Cook, stirring, until spinach is wilted, about 3 minutes.
  7. Step 7: Stir in 1/4 cup heavy cream and cook for 2 more minutes until creamy and thickened. Serve creamed spinach alongside the cheese-stuffed chicken thighs.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Cheese-Stuffed Chicken Thighs with Creamed Spinach 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 Thighs with Creamed Spinach?

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 Thighs with Creamed Spinach?

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 Thighs with Creamed Spinach for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Thighs with Creamed Spinach keto?

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

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