Description
A juicy, flavorful weeknight dinner featuring chicken breasts stuffed with pesto and mozzarella, baked to perfection for an easy yet impressive meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (6–8 oz each)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for rubbing)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper (to taste)
- ½ cup oil-based pesto
- 1 cup low-moisture shredded mozzarella cheese
- 4 slices prosciutto or pancetta (optional)
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (for drizzling)
- Fresh basil leaves (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with olive oil.
- Place chicken breasts on a cutting board and slice horizontally through the thickest part, leaving a hinge to open like a book. If thick, pound to ½-inch thickness.
- Season chicken generously with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning on both sides.
- If using prosciutto, lay one slice over the inside of each breast.
- Spread 2 tablespoons of pesto over the inside of each breast, leaving a border at the edges.
- Sprinkle ¼ cup of shredded mozzarella on top of the pesto.
- Fold the chicken back over the filling, pressing edges to seal. Secure with toothpicks if necessary.
- Place stuffed chicken in the prepared baking dish and drizzle tops with 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Tent with foil if cheese browns too quickly.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil.
Notes
Use low-moisture mozzarella for better melting. Ensure chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature. Resting the chicken for 5 minutes is crucial to retain juices. Prosciutto is optional but adds umami flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed chicken br
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 5
- Protein: 35
Keywords: chicken breast, pesto, mozzarella, stuffed chicken, weeknight dinner, easy recipe, Italian chicken, baked chicken