Cheesy Spinach-Stuffed Chicken Breasts with Garlic Butter
Stuffed with a savory mixture of spinach and cream cheese, baked and finished with a fragrant garlic butter sauce. This american-inspired chicken (keto, low carb) ready in about 40 minutes pairs chopped fresh spinach, 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 410 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.
Ingredients
- 4 pieces, about 6 oz each boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup, chopped fresh spinach
- 4 oz, softened cream cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp paprika
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Slice 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts horizontally to create a pocket, being careful not to cut all the way through.
- Step 2: In a bowl, mix 1 cup chopped fresh spinach, 4 oz softened cream cheese, and 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella until well combined.
- Step 3: Stuff each chicken breast pocket evenly with the spinach-cheese mixture and secure with toothpicks if necessary.
- Step 4: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Season stuffed chicken breasts with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp paprika.
- Step 5: Sear the chicken breasts for 3 minutes on each side until golden brown.
- Step 6: Melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter in the skillet, add 3 minced garlic cloves, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 7: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15-18 minutes until chicken is cooked through (internal temperature 165°F).
- Step 8: Remove from oven and spoon pan garlic butter over chicken before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cheesy Spinach-Stuffed Chicken Breasts with 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 Cheesy Spinach-Stuffed Chicken Breasts with 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 chopped fresh spinach from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cheesy Spinach-Stuffed Chicken Breasts with 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 Cheesy Spinach-Stuffed Chicken Breasts with Garlic Butter 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 Cheesy Spinach-Stuffed Chicken Breasts with Garlic Butter keto?
Yes — this recipe is tagged keto, low carb, high protein based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.