Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken (Printable)
Juicy chicken breasts stuffed with herbed goat cheese, baked until golden and served as an elegant main dish.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Poultry
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
→ Cheese Filling
02 - 4 oz goat cheese, softened
03 - 2 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
04 - 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
05 - 1 clove garlic, minced
06 - Zest of 1 lemon
07 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
08 - Pinch of salt
→ Coating & Cooking
09 - 1 tbsp olive oil
10 - 1/2 tsp salt
11 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
12 - 1/2 tsp paprika (optional)
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray.
02 - In a small mixing bowl, combine the softened goat cheese, chopped chives, parsley, minced garlic, lemon zest, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and a pinch of salt. Stir until smooth and creamy.
03 - Using a small sharp knife, carefully cut a deep pocket into the thickest part of each chicken breast, taking care not to slice all the way through.
04 - Generously fill each chicken pocket with the goat cheese mixture. Secure the openings with toothpicks if needed to keep the filling enclosed.
05 - Rub each stuffed chicken breast with olive oil, then season evenly on all sides with 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and paprika if using.
06 - Arrange the stuffed chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish and bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear.
07 - Remove from the oven and discard any toothpicks. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The creamy, tangy filling melts into the chicken and keeps it incredibly moist from the inside out.
- It looks impressive enough for guests but only takes about fifteen minutes of hands on work.
02 -
- Overstuffing the pockets will cause the filling to leak out during baking, so use a generous but reasonable amount.
- Letting the chicken rest after baking is not optional because cutting too early sends all those good juices onto the cutting board instead of your plate.
03 -
- If your goat cheese is cold and crumbly, microwave it for ten seconds and it will soften enough to mix without a fight.
- Pat the chicken breasts completely dry before making the pockets because dry skin holds seasoning better and browns more evenly.