Stuffed chicken

Stuffed chicken

20 min
Stuff chicken breasts with white cheese and sun-dried tomatoes and wrap them in crisp bacon or prosciutto for a succulent finish. Pair them with a fresh peach salsa that adds a burst of brightness to the rich and savoury chicken. Perfect for a special dinner or festive gathering, this recipe is designed to impress and satisfy, no matter the company.
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Instructions

Stuffed chicken
  • ​​​Drain the white cheese.
  • Carefully cut the chicken breasts open like a bag and stuff them with 6–8 cubes of white cheese each.
  • Hold one end of each piece of bacon and stretch it by pulling on it while running the back of a knife along it. Wrap each piece of stuffed chicken in two bacon strips or one prosciutto slice. Place them on a cutting board and cover with foil.
  • Use a rolling pin to flatten each piece of chicken breast slightly.
  • Heat oil and butter in a heavy frying pan and cook each side of the breasts over medium heat for about 10 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and golden brown.
Peach salsa
  • Combine all ingredients in a bowl and use the desired amounts of pepper, garlic, coriander, salt, and pepper to reach your preferred flavour.
Enjoy!
Plan ahead

For a more convenient and flavourful meal, prepare your stuffed chicken breasts up to two days before cooking. This early preparation lets the flavours from the white cheese cubes and sun-dried tomatoes deeply infuse the meat. Keep it well-covered in the refrigerator to maintain freshness and allow the ingredients to meld efficiently.

Butterflying the chicken

Preparing chicken breasts for stuffing is a technique that ensures even cooking and optimal flavour absorption. “Butterflying” is central to this process, involving a horizontal slice through the breast, stopping just before cutting all the way through. This opens the meat like a book, creating a flat surface ideal for adding fillings. This method simplifies the distribution of your stuffing and helps it cook uniformly. Use a sharp knife and cut slowly and steadily to avoid mishaps. After butterflying the breasts, you can pound them gently with a meat mallet to make them even thinner. When adding your stuffing to the butterflied breast, leave a small margin around the edges. This makes it easier to seal the chicken, keeping the filling enclosed during cooking. If concerned about the filling spilling out, use toothpicks to secure the edges.

Do not overstuff

It is important to distribute the stuffing evenly within the cut you have made in the chicken breast. Avoid putting too much stuffing as it might spill out during cooking. If using bacon or prosciutto, gently stretch the slices to cover more surface area and wrap them tightly around the chicken. This keeps the stuffing in place, adds an extra layer of flavour, and helps the chicken stay moist while cooking.

FAQ: Questions about stuffed chicken

In our FAQ, we answer some of the top questions about preparing stuffed chicken.

How long does stuffed chicken keep well?
Stuffed chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days if kept in an airtight container. Ensure the chicken has cooled completely before storing it to prevent condensation, which can affect the texture. When reheating, it is best to warm it in the oven at a low temperature (around 160 °C) to maintain its crispiness while ensuring it is thoroughly heated. Avoid microwaving, as this can make the meat soggy.
How can I ensure my stuffed chicken stays juicy?
To keep stuffed chicken breasts juicy, cook until they reach an internal temperature of 75 °C. Allow them to rest for five minutes before serving. This lets the juices redistribute, ensuring each bite is moist and full of flavour. Wrapping them in bacon or prosciutto adds an extra layer of fat, which also helps keep them moist.
What to serve with stuffed chicken?
Stuffed chicken pairs well with light and fresh sides that complement its richness. We recommend a homemade peach salsa to add fresh, tangy notes that will brighten the meal and cut through the richness of the meat. A simple green salad with vinaigrette works wonderfully, offering a crisp and refreshing contrast to the savoury chicken. Alternatively, you can serve it with roasted vegetables such as asparagus, peppers, or courgettes for a warm and vibrant accompaniment. For something heartier, consider a side of garlic mashed potatoes or herbed rice, which soak up the juices and provide a satisfying balance.

Ingredients

Stuffed chicken
Chicken fillets
4
Apetina® Green Olives & Garlic White Cheese Cubes in Oil
100 g
Bacon slices or 4 prosciutto slices
8
Olive oil
1 tsp
Butter for frying
Peach salsa
A handful of small plum tomatoes, roughly chopped and seeds removed
Ripe avocado, peeled and cut into large pieces
1
Flat white peaches or 1 peach, peeled and coarsely chopped
2
Lime fruit, zest and juice
½
Small pepper, deseeded and finely chopped
1
Small garlic, finely chopped or grated
½
Fresh coriander leaves, finely chopped
10 sprigs
Salt and pepper to taste
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Try our stuffed chicken with white cheese

Enjoy the world of juicy, tender meat that comes with our stuffed chicken. We have filled it with the rich, tangy flavours of white cheese and sun-dried tomatoes. Simply cut open the chicken breast and add the tasty filling. When cooked, the cheese will turn creamy and soft, while the juices of the sun-dried tomatoes will seep into the meat. Serve it for a special event or a humble weeknight dinner. Either way, it will surely bring a smile to everyone's face as they cut open the tender chicken for a rich surprise. Our version is wrapped in bacon or prosciutto and presented alongside a refreshing peach salsa.

Wrapped in a savoury and crispy armour

Choose between bacon and prosciutto for your stuffed chicken. Both options bind the chicken in a salty, crispy layer that allows the meat juices to melt into the chicken as it cooks, ensuring it remains juicy and flavourful. The savoury, salty nuances are important as they balance the tangier white cheese and sun-dried tomatoes. Go for bacon if a smoky, robust flavour is to your liking and select prosciutto if you want a more refined and delicate flavour. The bacon also provides a crunchier texture, while the exterior of the prosciutto is thinner and crisper.

Enjoy with a fresh peach salsa

The stuffed chicken is a great source of rich, savoury flavours, but to balance those out, we recommend preparing a bright peach salsa. Made with fresh peach, buttery avocado, and juicy tomatoes, this salsa provides a refreshing touch and exciting soft and creamy textures. The fruity sweetness of the peach goes a long way, but the freshness is boosted with the zing of lemon juice and grated zest. These vibrant flavours and colours ensure you can confidently serve this tantalising meal to friends and family whenever you see fit, which can be any day of the week, thanks to the short preparation time.

If you want inspiration for good pairings, we have you covered. For fresh and fruity flavours, try our recipe for strawberry watermelon salad. If you want to pair the savoury depth with a smoky earthiness, go for our easy courgette and asparagus salad. A nice summer salad with quinoa or a quinoa avocado salad with blueberry is also a good choice.

Ideas for varying the recipe

Experiment with the stuffing to make the recipe your new favourite by incorporating, for example, spinach, roasted red peppers, or mushrooms. When cooked, spinach brings a mild, earthy note, while roasted peppers add a smoky sweetness. Sauté the mushrooms to remove some of their juices and enhance their famed umami flavour. Mix it with white cheese or other types of cheese.

Go for mozzarella to create a milder, gooey texture. Mozzarella has a subtler flavour that allows it to blend well with just about any other ingredient. Cream cheese is also a classic choice. Mix it with fresh herbs such as chives, parsley, or thyme for a fragrant, creamy filling that melts beautifully inside the chicken. Goat's cheese generally has a sharper edge, making it a great companion to succulent meat.

Playing around with the salsa can also transform the dish into one more of your liking. Turn the peach salsa into a mango salsa with diced sweet mango, red onion, coriander, and lime juice for a tropical twist. The sweetness of the mango contrasts beautifully with the savoury chicken. Mangoes also have a tropical touch similar to that of peaches. Sprinkle the salsa with toasted pine nuts or chopped almonds for added crunch. These nuts can also be added to the filling if you want to imbue it with a nutty, savoury depth.

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