Savory Cheese-Stuffed Chicken Breast with Garlic Butter

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

Juicy chicken breasts stuffed with melted cheddar and herbs, finished with a garlic butter sauce that enhances the rich flavors. This american-inspired keto ready in about 45 minutes pairs (6 oz each) boneless chicken breasts, shredded cheddar cheese, finely chopped fresh parsley for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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: 20 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 American cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Cut a horizontal slit into the thickest part of each chicken breast. Season inside pocket with 1/4 tsp salt, 1/8 tsp black pepper, 1/2 tsp dried thyme, and 1 tbsp chopped parsley.
  2. Step 2: Stuff each pocket with 1 oz shredded cheddar cheese and 1 tbsp chopped parsley, securing with toothpicks. Season outside with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper.
  3. Step 3: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 2 minutes per side until golden, then transfer skillet to oven and bake 18-20 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  4. Step 4: While chicken bakes, melt 2 tbsp butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in 1/4 cup heavy cream and 1 tbsp lemon juice, simmering 2 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
  5. Step 5: Remove chicken from oven, let rest 5 minutes, then remove toothpicks. Drizzle with garlic butter sauce and serve.

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Frequently asked questions

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

Total time is about 45 minutes (20 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 Savory Cheese-Stuffed Chicken Breast 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 shredded cheddar cheese from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Savory Cheese-Stuffed Chicken Breast 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 Savory Cheese-Stuffed Chicken Breast 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.

What goes well with Savory Cheese-Stuffed Chicken Breast with Garlic Butter?

American keto like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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