Cottage Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breasts with Fresh Herbs Recipe
This Cottage Cheese Stuffed Chicken recipe features tender boneless skinless chicken breasts filled with a flavorful mixture of cottage cheese and fresh herbs. The chicken is seared to a golden brown on the stovetop and finished in the oven to juicy perfection, making for a delicious and easy-to-make main dish ideal for a wholesome dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1/8 tsp salt
- pinch black pepper (optional)
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Stuffing
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves (finely diced)
- 1 tsp fresh rosemary leaves (finely diced)
- 1 tsp parsley leaves (finely diced)
- 1/8 tsp salt
- pinch black pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 390°F (200°C). If you don't have an oven-safe skillet, prepare a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper for baking later.
- Prepare Stuffing: In a bowl, combine the cottage cheese with the fresh diced rosemary, thyme, parsley, salt, and optional black pepper. Mix well to evenly distribute the herbs within the cottage cheese.
- Prepare Chicken: Slice a pocket into each chicken breast, cutting about three-quarters of the way through without cutting fully through. Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt, optional black pepper, and dried thyme for added flavor.
- Stuff Chicken: Spoon the herb-seasoned cottage cheese mixture evenly into each chicken breast pocket. Optionally, secure the openings with oven-safe toothpicks to keep the filling inside during cooking.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until hot and shimmering. Place the stuffed chicken breasts in the skillet and sear each side for 3-4 minutes until they develop a light golden brown color.
- Oven Cook: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven if it is oven-safe; otherwise, move the chicken breasts onto the prepared lined baking sheet. Bake for approximately 20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) as measured by a meat thermometer.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute. Then, plate the chicken and serve warm.
Notes
- Using fresh herbs intensifies the stuffing’s flavor; however, you can substitute dried herbs if needed.
- If your skillet is not oven-safe, ensure you use a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to finish cooking the chicken in the oven.
- To secure the stuffed chicken breasts, use oven-safe toothpicks to prevent the filling from spilling out during cooking.
- Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is safely cooked to 165°F (74°C).
- Allowing the chicken to rest post-cooking helps retain its juiciness.
