chicken spinach parmesan

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I’m really not sure what to call this because it’s a variation of several stuffed chicken breasts I’ve made up over the years (when I’ve been lucky enough to have an oven in my house). This one happened by chance today and then someone on Instagram asked for the recipe. So here it is, such as it is.

I hadn’t planned to put it up so there aren’t so many photos. It’s filled with mozzarella cheese and wilted baby spinach leaves and encrusted with parmesan bread crumbs. Yeah, really good. Also just a full one plate meal as you have protein, veg, carbs all together. Works for me.

Ingredients and instructions below..

Ingredients

  • 1 very plump free range chicken breast
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 large free range egg
  • 1/2 cup fine bread crumbs
  • 1/2 cup finely shredded parmesan cheese
  • 2-4 slices mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup wilted baby spinach leaves
  • 1-2 tbsp salsa az
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper

Slice an opening into the side of the chicken breast without cutting through, making a pocket inside. Insert the mozzarella cheese slices into the pocket. Mix the wilted spinach with a tablespoon of salsa az and stuff that in too. Close up the opening with a couple of toothpicks and pat dry with a paper towel.

Roll the stuffed chicken breast in the bread crumbs until totally covered and set aside. Then whisk one egg in a separate dish. Add the shredded parmesan to the remaining bread crumbs.

Dip the chicken breast into the egg, making sure it’s fully covered, and transfer it to the bread crumb parmesan mixture. Press the chicken into the mixture and turn it a couple of times until the breading has fully covered the chicken. Set aside (at this point you could also put in the fridge for awhile if you are preparing other things).

Set the oven to 180ºC

Heat the olive oil in a skillet – medium high – and add the chicken breast, immediately turning the heat down to medium. Let the chicken breast brown nicely on both sides and then transfer it to a plate. When the oven is ready place the chicken on a tray lined with paper and bake for 20 minutes. Take out of the oven and let rest for about 5 minutes before serving.