Cheesy Spinach-Stuffed Chicken Thighs with Garlic Butter

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

Juicy chicken thighs stuffed with spinach and cheese, pan-seared and finished with garlic butter for a rich keto dinner. This american-inspired 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 480 calories and feeds 6, 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 6 American cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. In a bowl, mix 2 cups chopped fresh spinach, 4 oz softened cream cheese, and 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella until well combined.
  2. Step 2: Carefully loosen the skin of 6 boneless skin-on chicken thighs and spread the spinach-cheese mixture evenly under the skin. Season each thigh with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper.
  3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 5 minutes until the skin is golden and crispy.
  4. Step 4: Flip the chicken thighs over, add 3 tbsp butter and 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet, spoon the melted garlic butter over the chicken, then transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 15-18 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
  5. Step 5: Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving, spooning any remaining garlic butter from the pan over the chicken.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Cheesy Spinach-Stuffed Chicken Thighs 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 Thighs 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 Thighs 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 Thighs with Garlic Butter for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Thighs with Garlic Butter 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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