Description
This Chicken Parmesan Stuffed with Cream Cheese recipe offers a delicious twist on the classic Italian favorite by stuffing tender chicken breasts with a creamy blend of cream cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, and fresh basil. Coated in seasoned breadcrumbs, pan-seared to golden perfection, then baked with marinara sauce and extra mozzarella topping, this dish delivers a rich and satisfying meal perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Stuffing
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Breading and Topping
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (for topping)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the chicken.
- Prepare Stuffing Mixture: In a small bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, chopped fresh basil, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until smooth and well blended.
- Create Chicken Pockets: Using a sharp knife, carefully cut a horizontal slit into the middle of each chicken breast to create a pocket, ensuring not to cut all the way through.
- Stuff the Chicken: Spoon the cream cheese mixture into each chicken breast pocket. Secure the opening with toothpicks if needed to hold the filling inside during cooking.
- Coat the Chicken: Dredge each stuffed chicken breast in all-purpose flour, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally coat evenly with seasoned breadcrumbs.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken breasts for 3-4 minutes on each side until they develop a golden-brown crust.
- Add Sauce and Cheese: Spoon marinara sauce evenly over each chicken breast and sprinkle with the additional shredded mozzarella cheese for topping.
- Bake the Chicken: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the chicken is cooked through, and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Remove the toothpicks from the chicken breasts and serve hot, enjoying the creamy stuffed filling and crispy breadcrumb crust.
Notes
- Be careful not to cut the chicken breasts all the way through when creating the pocket to avoid losing the stuffing during cooking.
- If you don’t have fresh basil, dried basil can be substituted, but use about 1 teaspoon and adjust seasoning to taste.
- Using an oven-safe skillet allows you to sear and bake the chicken in the same pan, making cleanup easier.
- To ensure even cooking, use chicken breasts of similar size and thickness.
- Leftover stuffed chicken can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and reheated in the oven for best results.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American