Family Food on the Table

Recipes and resources for making it happen

  • Home
  • Recipes
        • By Course
          • Main Dishes
          • Side Dishes
          • Appetizers & Snacks
          • Sweets & Desserts
          • Breakfast & Brunch
          • Salads
          • Soups
          • DrinksEasy drinks, cocktails and smoothies for all kinds of fun occasions!
          • Sauces, Dressings and Condiments
          • Kid Food
            • Baby Food
            • Toddler and Kid Food
        • By Method
          • Air Fryer
          • Slow Cooker
          • Instant Pot
        • By Ingredient
          • Chicken
          • Turkey
          • Pork
          • Seafood
          • Vegetarian
  • Collections
    • E-cookbooks
    • Cooking Resources
    • Easy Chicken Dinner Recipes -->This collection of easy chicken dinner recipes features some of our favorite family dishes, perfect for making a healthy, delicious home cooked meal on a busy night! Getting a healthy, home cooked meal on the table every night can be challenging. Particularly with the demands of work, school, activities and social obligations, well, it can be the last thing we want to do at the end of the day. So I’ve got tons of easy chicken recipes at my disposal that I turn to when I need to whip something up for us on one of those busy weeknights. (Or even busy weekends – dinners can be tough then, too!) And this collection of easy chicken dinner recipes has some that we make over and over again. It includes everything from skillet chicken dinners to slow cooker chicken recipes, one-pot chicken pastas, soups and salads with chicken, chicken burgers and meatballs, sheet pan chicken dinners and easy chicken casseroles. Are you looking for fast as well as easy? Me too. I’ve got collections of chicken recipes in under 30 minutes and, faster still, chicken recipes in under 15 minutes. Or if you want to browse them all, my quick chicken recipes…
      • Easy Chicken Recipes with Few IngredientsThese easy chicken recipes with few ingredients include some great healthy lunch and dinner options, all made with 5 or fewer ingredients! I am all about the EASY when it comes to cooking. I don’t like to fuss much over my food and I certainly don’t like to spend a ton of time in the kitchen at the end of a long day. Easy chicken dinner recipes and healthy lunch recipes with chicken are much more my style. (As are chicken recipes in under 30 minutes and, faster yet, chicken recipes in under 15 minutes. Cause life.) Speaking of life, a million trips to the grocery store also aren’t fun during a busy week. (Especially with little ones in tow!) So I’ve got these go-to easy chicken recipes with few ingredients that help me keep dinnertime simple. And my sanity intact. In fact, one of the first cookbooks I bought on my own, at a used bookstore in Washington, D.C., where I lived for a few years after college, was titled 3-ingredient recipes. I was pretty new to cooking and thought, I think I can handle that. My cooking skills have improved, but I still go for the simple chicken recipes…
      • Quick Chicken RecipesThis collection of quick chicken recipes features some of our favorite family dinners and go-to lunches, all ready in 30 minutes or less! From chicken skillet dinners to one-pot pastas, salads to burgers, you’re sure to find some new favorites! If you know me, you know I am ALL about the quick and easy recipes. I love making all of our homemade meals and home cooked dinners, but like you, I’ve also got a hundred other things to juggle and so keeping things simple in the kitchen is a must. And these quick chicken recipes include all of my chicken recipes in under 30 minutes and, even faster, chicken recipes in under 15 minutes. Sanity savers for sure. Busy weeknights have nothing on us! A few of our favorites from these quick chicken recipes: Healthy chicken Alfredo with broccoli Creamy chipotle chicken 20-minute chicken and tortellini soup with kale Skillet salsa chicken Easy creamy chicken This collection also has some healthy lunch recipes with chicken for mixing up your lunch routine. (It doesn’t include my slow cooker chicken recipes though, since those aren’t ready in 30 minutes. But they can be super quick to prep in the morning and then…
        • Chicken Recipes in Under 15 MinutesThese easy chicken recipes in under 15 minutes are perfect for dinner on a busy weeknight! From one-pot wonders to salads, chicken skillets to tacos, you’re sure to find some new fast favorites! You know those nights when you walk in the door and need dinner pronto?! Like, 5 minutes ago? That’s when I turn to these quick and easy chicken recipes in under 15 minutes. I can make a healthy, home cooked meal for my family and be sitting down to enjoy it in no time. Cause plenty of evenings, 15 minutes is often all the time I have – or want to spend – on dinner. I’m not alone on that, right?! You can browse below but I thought I’d highlight a couple that I make over and over again. A few of our favorite easy chicken recipes in under 15 minutes: 15-minute honey garlic chicken (gets rave reviews!) Southwest chicken skillet dinner (pile on your favorite toppings!) Quick chicken curry (perfect with rice and peas) One-pot low-carb leftover chicken recipe with spinach (my dad’s go-to recipe) This collection also includes some healthy lunch options that are quick to put together — like the Asian chicken mason jar…
        • Chicken Recipes in Under 30 MinutesThese easy chicken recipes in under 30 minutes are perfect for dinner on a busy weeknight! From one-pan meals to burgers, one-pot pastas to healthy salads, you’re sure to find some new favorites! Quick, easy and mostly healthy is pretty much the name of the game for dinner at my house. I love a home cooked meal and we eat a ton of chicken, which means I’ve come up with and found a lot of easy chicken recipes over the years. And this collection highlights some of my easy chicken recipes in under 30 minutes, when you want something delicious but need it on the table pretty quickly. Is that every single night for you too? We’ve got everything from skillet chicken dishes to chicken pasta and from soups and salads with chicken to chicken meatballs and burgers. All the chicken love! Many of these recipes use boneless, skinless chicken breasts (though you could substitute chicken thighs if you prefer) while others use ground chicken and some rely on pre-cooked chicken, such as a rotisserie chicken you pick up at the store or some leftover grilled or baked chicken. Lots of these 30 minute chicken dinners are complete meals but…
      • Healthy One-Pot Chicken DinnersHealthy one-pot chicken dinners are such a help on busy days! This collection includes everything from one-pot pastas and skillets to easy slow cooker and sheet pan recipes to help you get an easy, healthy and delicious dinner on the table any night! I am ALL about quick and easy meals. I cook our dinner 99% of the time, including on days when work has blown up in my face, or the kids have decided to coordinate their melt-downs, or we’re all just wiped out and hungry. And even though I love to cook, I definitely have those days when I’m just not feeling it. Enter some quick and easy one-pot chicken dinners for the win! These are great to have in your back pocket for busy days, busy weeks or in case of a “kids-are-making-me-crazy” kinda moment. (My husband also loves these meals because he’s on clean-up duty and it’s nice not to have a huge pile of dishes staring you down after dinner!) Many of these dishes are complete meals on their own. Others are low-carb as written, but can easily be paired with some rice, pasta, bread or potatoes to bulk them up a bit. Here are…
      • Slow Cooker Chicken RecipesThese hands-off slow cooker chicken recipes will put your slow cooker to work and have you coming home to a delicious, healthy dinner that’s ready to go! Some days, you just need someone else to make you dinner. I’m not talking takeout or delivery or a restaurant dinner. I’m talking about your crock pot or slow cooker. I find it supremely satisfying to go about my day, knowing that a delicious home cooked dinner is cooking up at home for me. I can play with the kids, take them to practices, run errands or just relax with a book and breathe easy. These slow cooker chicken recipes mean there is just one less thing to do in the evening and that’s a great thing on a busy day! This collection includes slow cooker recipes for boneless, skinless chicken breasts as well as chicken thighs (though you can usually sub either one). And many of these take just minutes to prep in the morning! 👍 Here’s a few of our favorite slow cooker chicken recipes: Slow cooker balsamic chicken Slow cooker bistro chicken thighs Slow cooker apricot chicken Crock pot Mediterranean chicken Slow cooker teriyaki chicken And be sure to check…
    • Easy Vegetarian RecipesEasy vegetarian recipes include main-dish meals that are hearty and satisfying and can stand alone for lunch or dinner (with a few savory breakfast options as well). Everything from one-pot veggie pastas to stuffed squash to chili to veggie burgers and hearty grain bowls and salads, there are meatless options here for everyone! I am a veggie lover through and through. 💚💚💚 I adore getting in as many vegetables as I can, throughout the day really, and I often make easy vegetarian dinners a couple of times a week. (Hello meatless Monday, I’m looking at you!) So over the years, I’ve created tons of great veggie-based meals that can stand on their own for lunch or dinner and be hearty and satisfying. And that are also mostly quick and easy, because I work as a health and nutrition editor and we’ve got a busy family so cooking on a weeknight needs to be low-key. My one-pot vegetarian spaghetti has been a hugely popular recipe here on the blog and you guys can’t seem to get enough of my grain bowls and salads. I know the feeling. 😉 I wanted to round up some of these in an easy-to-browse category that features…
    • Healthy Oatmeal RecipesA collection of healthy oatmeal recipes, including sweet and savory breakfast and brunch options as well as delicious, wholesome snacks and desserts. We are pretty much oatmeal fanatics in my house. ALL of us adore oatmeal and it’s a rare day that we’re not making or eating something with oats or oatmeal in it at some point during the day. And I mean all four of us – my husband, myself and our kids (currently ages 6 and 4). Our go-to 3-minute microwave oatmeal is a morning staple for my husband and a weekly staple for the kids and me. My kids eat overnight oatmeal jars at least twice a week for breakfast and we often have baked oatmeal another morning of the week. For school lunches or afternoon snack, we can be found munching on some no-bake cookie or energy balls with oats, oatmeal cookies of some variety or if they’ve asked nicely, I’ll make a batch of granola and we all just shovel handful after handful until it’s gone. Want to know some of our very favorites of the group below? OK, I’ll share! Our family’s favorite healthy oatmeal recipes: Healthy chocolate chip muffins Overnight oatmeal jars, 3…
    • Healthy Muffin RecipesA collection of easy, kid-friendly healthy muffin recipes for all times of day: breakfast, school lunch, snacking, dinner and dessert! We are BIG muffin lovers in this house, at all times of day! My kiddos love them for breakfast, brunch, school lunch, afternoon snack and sometimes even savory muffins at dinner. Muffins all the time! I’ve made thousands of healthy muffin recipes over the years and I love sharing them with you! There are plenty to browse below and plenty more I plan to add! (You can sign up for my newsletter so you never miss a recipe. You’ll also get my FREE e-book of easy weeknight dinners.) Wondering where to start? Spinach banana mini muffins and whole wheat pumpkin muffins are some of our constant favorites. Healthy peanut butter and jelly muffins are fun for lunch and easy cheesy cornbread muffins are great for a quick + easy dinner side, especially with soup or chili! And if you’re in the mood for a little chocolate (I know I always am!) you can’t go wrong with my healthy chocolate chip muffins. Hope you find some new favorite healthy muffin recipes! XO, Kathryn
    • Healthy DessertsThis collection of healthy desserts features everything from lightened up cookie bars and brownies to cakes, muffins and breads to no-bake energy bites. It’s the perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth while staying on track with healthy choices! Healthy desserts are kind-of my jam. I like a dessert that gives back. One that has redeeming qualities. A sweet treat that’s going to treat me right. But of course, it also needs to be delicious so I actually satisfy those sweet cravings! The healthier dessert recipes you’ll find below are some of our go-to treats that are perfect for a healthier late-night option and many of which are great for offering kids a wholesome, but fun, treat for an after-school snack or tucked in their lunch box. Most of these recipes are whole grain and naturally sweetened, others are recipe makeovers that are lower in sugar and/or butter. A majority of them contain chocolate. 🍫❤️ And ALL are easy to make. (You can also check out my healthy muffin recipes and my entire category of sweets & desserts if you want more.) Here’s a few of our favorite healthy desserts: Healthy chocolate chip muffins Healthier no bake cookie bars No…
    • Healthy Fall BakingThese healthy fall baking favorites include everything from muffins and baked oatmeal to snacks to cookies and cakes. These fall recipes are whole grain and most are naturally sweetened for a wholesome, delicious treat at breakfast, snack, school lunch or dessert! Does anyone else get the baking bug when the cooler weather starts to roll in during autumn? I know I do! I get excited for all the apple baking projects, pumpkin baking projects and even getting ready for all the holiday baking to come! 🍎🎃 The spices, the warmth, the aroma of having something in the oven is just part of the season for me. Plus the love that comes from a homemade baked good – it just can’t be beat! ❤️ And y’all know my style is definitely a healthier version of baking. I use whole grains and most of my recipes are naturally sweetened. I try to lighten things up where possible and keep to mostly wholesome treats, maybe with a little indulgence here and there! 😉 Wondering where to start? Here are some of our healthy fall baking favorites: Chocolate chip apple cake Pumpkin baked oatmeal with chocolate chips Whole wheat pumpkin applesauce bread Easy healthy…
  • Baby Food
    • Baby Food Cookbook
    • Beginner Baby FoodsGet started with these easy beginner baby foods, including batch cooking ideas and detailed instructions.
    • Baby Food Combinations + RecipesA collection of favorite baby food combinations and lots of recipes for baby and toddler foods.
    • Baby Food ResourcesA collection of resources, information and ideas about making homemade baby food.
  • About
    • Newsletter
    • Work With Me
    • Privacy Policy
    • Copyright
    • Accessibility Statement

Spinach stuffed chicken (+ video)

July 8, 2019 By Kathryn Doherty

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure policy

Spinach stuffed chicken is loaded with melty mozzarella cheese and sautéed spinach and then roasted with a paprika and Parmesan top for an easy and irresistible chicken dinner!Sliced Parmesan crusted chicken breast stuffed with spinach and mozzarella cheese on a white plate with brown rice and a sprinkling of parsley and a fork nearby

We had such a lovely 4th of July last week!

We started the day with a kids’ bike decorating and bike parade at our nearby pool. Then we stayed and played and splashed for several hours at the pool. It was a beautiful day. ☀️

We headed home in the afternoon for some more playing and then relaxed and watched a movie with the kids. I wanted them to have some down time so they could stay up late and do fireworks.

After grilling out and having ALL kinds of favorite 4th foods, we headed to our neighbor’s house. The kids all played while we chatted for a bit then we all went outside to do sparklers and pop-its and some basic fireworks in their driveway. 🎇

It was really low-key, really simple stuff all day, but it just felt so right, you know? It was exactly the kind of 4th I wanted us all to have and I’m so thankful. ❤️

Moving on though, cause we are here to talk FOOD!

Do you love stuffed chicken as much as we do?

I make it A LOT and love trying out all kinds of variations. Here’s a few I’ve shared with you already.

Stuffed chicken recipes:

– Cheesy Mexican stuffed chicken breasts

– Chicken breasts stuffed with prosciutto, spinach and mozzarella

– Pizza stuffed chicken

And honestly, I have lots more versions that we make at home. I’ll be sure to keep sharing them here with you!

(You can sign up for my free weekly e-newsletter to get all new recipes delivered to your inbox. I’ll even send you my free e-cookbook, Healthy Weeknight Dinners, as a thank you!)

Today though, I’m excited to be sharing this spinach stuffed chicken recipe with you.

Baked stuffed chicken breast with spinach and mozzarella cheese served with brown rice

It’s got melty, stretchy mozzarella cheese on the inside, a good dose of sautéed spinach, plus a paprika and Parmesan crust on top.

What’s not to love?!

It’s really easy to make, too, even on a busy weeknight!

Maybe that’s why this spinach and cheese stuffed chicken recipe is in our regular rotation.

I always have these ingredients on hand and it just comes together so quickly and easily.

I love that the spinach adds some greens and the cheese (double cheese!) means even the kids will eat it.

Total win! 🙌

Chicken breasts topped with Parmesan cheese on a foil lined baking pan before baking

Now, I’ve got some notes, FAQs and serving ideas coming up for this recipe. Just tryin’ to be helpful.

If you want to jump on down to the recipe, simply scroll right on through the rest of the text. The recipe card is near the bottom of the page, above the comments section.

Notes on spinach stuffed chicken:

  • We love this with melty mozzarella cheese and I just use shredded cheese. You could also do fresh mozzarella or try this with shredded cheddar cheese instead.
  • It helps to have decent sized chicken breasts, not the super thin ones or perfectly portioned ones, since you’ll have to slice them across in half to stuff them.
  • The Parmesan and paprika on top really brings the cheesy home and adds a nice browned crust to the top of the chicken. However, you could skip it if you prefer.
  • Or you could do a buttery breadcrumb topping instead if you’d like.

Baked stuffed chicken breast with spinach and mozzarella cheese served with brown rice and topped with fresh parsley

Can I use frozen spinach?

This recipe calls for fresh spinach that you sauté down before stuffing the chicken breasts.

I haven’t made this recipe with frozen spinach, but I think you could. Make sure you thaw it completely and get ALL the extra liquid squeezed out before using it.

Want to add more veggies?

Ah, you know I love and support that. 💚

You could sauté some onions and mushrooms along with the spinach for stuffing into this chicken or scattering over top or around the chicken as it bakes.

Sliced Parmesan crusted chicken breast stuffed with spinach and mozzarella cheese on a white plate with brown rice and a sprinkling of parsley

Oh, and if you are new to stuffed chicken, go check out my post on how to butterfly chicken breasts. It’s got some step-by-step photos that are really helpful with how to cut the chicken open.

Also, I should mention that I don’t secure my chicken breasts with toothpicks or string before baking. I find that butterflying them and just folding them back over is sufficient.

Also, I’m lazy like that. 🤷‍♀️

(Some of the cheese might ooze out, but it’s easy enough to scoop up and stuff back in if needed.)

If yours look like they might want to fall apart, feel free to add a few toothpicks. 👍

Now let’s make this into a meal!

Sliced Parmesan crusted chicken breast stuffed with spinach and mozzarella cheese on a white plate with brown rice with a fork leaning on the plate

Serving ideas for spinach stuffed chicken breasts:

– We love this chicken served over steamed brown rice.

– White rice or quinoa would be good too. (Even cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.)

– You could also serve this chicken over a long thin noodle (like spaghetti).

– Or serve it with fluffy potatoes or roasted potatoes. (My microwave baked potatoes or paprika roasted potatoes are good options.)

– For a veggie side, you could do a simple green salad, steamed broccoli or green beans, or roast a mix of veggies on a second tray in the oven while the chicken is cooking. (I want to try these roasted veggies with garlic and herbs. Yum!)

I hope you give this a try for an easy chicken dinner that’ll have everyone at the table smiling and digging in!

Enjoy!

XO,

Kathryn

Yield: 4 servings

Spinach stuffed chicken

Sliced Parmesan crusted chicken breast stuffed with spinach and mozzarella cheese on a white plate with brown rice with a fork leaning on the plate

Spinach stuffed chicken is loaded with melty mozzarella cheese and sautéed spinach and then roasted with a paprika and Parmesan top for an easy and irresistible chicken dinner!

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • 4-5 oz. fresh baby spinach (a few very big handfuls)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 4 (6 oz.) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375.
  2. Heat one teaspoon of the oil in a medium sauté pan over medium-low heat. Add the spinach and stir until wilted, 3-4 minutes. Season lightly with a pinch of salt and pepper and set aside.
  3. Butterfly the chicken breasts by cutting them horizontally so that they open up like a book and are attached on one side. (See more details and step-by-step photos on how to butterfly chicken if it’s your first time.)
  4. Sprinkle the inside of the chicken breasts with salt, pepper and garlic powder.
  5. Divide the mozzarella and the sautéed spinach among the chicken breasts, laying it down along the bottom half. Fold each one over to “close up” the chicken breast. (I don't bother with toothpicks but you can secure yours if you'd like.)
  6. Drizzle the tops of each chicken breast with remaining teaspoon of olive oil. Sprinkle each chicken breast with 1/4 teaspoon of paprika and then 1 tablespoon of Parmesan.
  7. Place the stuffed chicken breasts on a foil-lined baking sheet (for easy clean-up). Bake at 375 for 30-35 minutes, until the chicken breasts are cooked through.

Notes

We love this with melty mozzarella cheese and I just use shredded cheese. You could also do fresh mozzarella or try this with shredded cheddar cheese instead.


It helps to have decent sized chicken breasts, not the super thin ones or perfectly portioned ones, since you’ll have to slice them across in half to stuff them.

The Parmesan and paprika on top really brings the cheesy home and adds a nice browned crust to the top of the chicken. However, you could skip it if you prefer. Or you could do a buttery breadcrumb topping instead if you’d like.

This recipe calls for fresh spinach that you sauté down before stuffing the chicken breasts. I haven’t made this recipe with frozen spinach, but I think you could. Make sure you thaw it completely and get ALL the extra liquid squeezed out before using it.

We love this chicken served over steamed brown rice. White rice, cauliflower rice or quinoa would be good too.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 345Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 121mgSodium: 799mgCarbohydrates: 8gFiber: 3gSugar: 1gProtein: 48g
© Kathryn
Cuisine: American / Category: Chicken
Chicken breast stuffed with spinach and mozzarella cheese on a white plate with brown rice and a sprinkling of parsley

Related Posts

  • Sauteed chicken and apples with rosemarySauteed chicken and apples with rosemary
  • Chicken breasts with jalapeño cheese sauce (+ video)Chicken breasts with jalapeño cheese sauce (+ video)
  • 15-minute paprika chicken15-minute paprika chicken
  • Skillet salsa chickenSkillet salsa chicken
  • Lemon pepper chicken (slow cooker and skillet versions)Lemon pepper chicken (slow cooker and skillet versions)
  • Easy balsamic chicken (+ video)Easy balsamic chicken (+ video)

Filed Under: Chicken, Easy Chicken Dinner Recipes, Easy Chicken Recipes, Main dishes

« Homemade spaghetti sauce (+ video)
Quinoa Caprese salad »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hi there! I’m Kathryn Doherty, a health and nutrition editor, cookbook author, wife, mother of two kids, and devoted food and home cooking nut. I’ve got lots of easy recipes and resources to help you get delicious family food on your table! Learn more about me

Search this site

Let’s be friends!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Tumblr
  • Twitter

Sign up and get my FREE e-cookbook, Easy Weeknight Dinners!

Popular Recipes

Creamy chicken skillet with mushrooms and mozzarella
Curry ground turkey with rice and peas is full of warm, rich flavors but is super quick and easy to make! This 20-minute recipe is great for a weeknight dinner! #curry #turkeycurry #groundturkey #easydinners #quickdinners
Crock pot honey garlic chicken served in a bowl with green onions sprinkled on top
This quick and easy Southwest chicken skillet dinner uses rotisserie chicken, fresh veggies, canned beans and simple spices for a delicious meal that’s ready in just 15 minutes! #easychickendinner #onepotrecipe | www.familyfoodonthetable.com
Quick chicken curry is an easy, one-pan recipe that’s ready in just 15 minutes -- perfect for a busy weeknight dinner! | www.familyfoodonthetable.com
A 5-ingredient, 15-minute honey garlic chicken with an addictively delicious sauce - a perfect weeknight dinner recipe!

Food & Recipes

  • Main Dishes
  • Side Dishes
  • Breakfast
  • Apps & Snacks
  • All Recipes

Search this site

Follow me!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Baby Food Cookbook

Sign up and get my FREE e-cookbook, Easy Weeknight Dinners!

Copyright © 2021 · Family Food on the Table

Sign up for new recipes and get my FREE e-cookbook!
Sign up for new recipes and you'll get my FREE e-cookbook, Easy Weeknight Dinners!
Introduce yourself and your program
Your information will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party.