Stuffed hen breast takes dinnertime to the following degree. Every serving comprises a flavorful combination of spinach, herbs, cheese, and sun-dried tomatoes. The hen first sears till golden brown, then finishes baking within the oven to make sure juicy items.

Desk of Contents

1. Making the filling
2. Hen choice
3. Chopping the pocket
4. Stuffing the hen
5. Two cooking strategies
6. Checking for doneness
7. Wanting so as to add a sauce?
8. What to serve this with
9. Stuffed Hen Breast with Solar-dried Tomatoes Recipe

It’s handy to seize a pack of hen breasts from the market, however the massive query is flip it into one thing particular. To spice issues, attempt stuffing them with a savory vegetable and cheese combination. Because the protein cooks, the filling will get sizzling and bubbly, infusing the fragrant garlic and herb flavors into each bit.

The hen cooks in a single skillet to make preparation easy. As soon as stuffed, the meat sears till golden on both sides, then finishes within the oven for light cooking. A scrumptious low carb and keto-friendly entree to feed a household or reheat for meal prep. Pair together with your favourite facet dishes like crispy inexperienced beans or tender broccoli for an entire meal.

Making the filling

The stuffing is straightforward to arrange. Simply chop and blend! Softened cream cheese is the bottom, binding the elements collectively and offering a creamy, tangy style. For a Tuscan-inspired taste, I regarded to contemporary greens, herbs, and sundried tomatoes. Recent spinach, basil, parsley, chives, and garlic present herbaceous and earthy notes. 

The tomatoes focus their sweetness throughout baking and stop the filling from getting watery because it cooks. Parmesan cheese provides a nutty style, and gooey soften when sliced. For a fast pantry swap, 1 tablespoon of dried Italian seasoning could be substituted for the herbs.

Hen choice

I like to recommend utilizing hen breasts which are about 6 to eight ounces. This measurement supplies a thick sufficient piece to slice and fill. The smaller measurement will cook dinner faster, so chances are you’ll want to cut back the time within the oven barely.

Chopping the pocket

A pocket to carry the filling must be minimize into the thickest facet of the meat. Begin by inserting the breast on a chopping board and grabbing a pointy utility or paring knife. Maintain the knife parallel to the board and minimize a slit by means of the hen’s facet down the center, about 5 inches.

Ensure to not minimize all over. You wish to ensure there aren’t any holes within the pocket. In any other case, the stuffing will ooze out. I discover it best to season the floor with salt and pepper earlier than including the filling.

Stuffing the hen

The cheese combination makes about 1 cup of filling. Relying on how deep the pocket is, I exploit about 2 to 4 tablespoons of filling. Don’t overfill. It can save you leftovers to make use of for later. Because the meat proteins cook dinner and contract, the hen will shrink, pushing the filling to the sting of the opening. 

Just a little little bit of filling misplaced is okay, however you don’t wish to lose an excessive amount of. You can even safe the pocket opening with toothpicks to cut back the quantity which may seep out throughout cooking.

Two cooking strategies

I exploit a big oven-proof skillet to make this hen dinner in a single pan. A cast-iron skillet or Dutch oven works nicely and supplies two benefits; much less clean-up and the power so as to add higher taste and texture. The hen first sears on each side in sizzling olive oil till golden brown. The browning creates a pretty, flavorful crust on the floor. 

Switch the pan to a 375-degree oven for extra even and delicate cooking in an enclosed area. This temperature additionally promotes continued browning and taste growth. As a result of the filling is cooler than the meat, it takes just a little extra time to cook dinner by means of into the middle utterly. Alternatively, you’ll be able to switch the hen to a flippantly greased baking dish in case your pan will not be oven protected.

Checking for doneness

It’s important to verify for doneness for the reason that meat is coming into contact with the filling. Visually, the hen ought to now not be pink or uncooked. The flesh will likely be opaque, with some gentle pink to clear juices. When utilizing an instant-read thermometer, place the probe parallel into the meat’s thickest half and verify each the highest and backside areas.

Let the hen relaxation for a couple of minutes, so the juices redistribute earlier than serving. This course of retains the meat juicy.

Wanting so as to add a sauce?

When you’d like a sauce to serve with this meal, you might have a couple of choices. You may make a gravy utilizing the pan drippings. In any other case, to enrich the Italian flavors within the stuffing, attempt my tangy marinara sauce or creamy alfredo sauce.

What to serve this with