Mozzarella & Pesto Stuffed Chicken (Printable Version)

Golden-baked chicken breasts stuffed with aromatic basil pesto and melted mozzarella cheese for a satisfying Italian-inspired meal.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Filling

05 - 4 tablespoons basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
06 - 4 oz mozzarella cheese, sliced

→ Topping

07 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
08 - 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (optional)

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a baking dish with cooking spray or a small amount of olive oil.
02 - Using a sharp knife, cut a deep horizontal pocket lengthwise in each chicken breast, starting from the thicker side. Be careful not to cut all the way through to create a complete opening.
03 - Season both sides of each chicken breast generously with salt and black pepper, ensuring even coverage.
04 - Stuff each pocket with 1 tablespoon of basil pesto, followed by a quarter of the mozzarella slices. Secure the opening with toothpicks to prevent filling from escaping during cooking.
05 - Place the stuffed chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish, leaving space between each piece. Brush the tops evenly with olive oil.
06 - Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese and dried Italian herbs evenly over the tops of the chicken breasts.
07 - Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the chicken is completely cooked through and juices run clear. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part should register 165°F.
08 - Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. Carefully remove toothpicks and transfer to plates.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The pesto and mozzarella combination creates an incredibly moist chicken breast, which is usually the hardest part of cooking white meat without drying it out
  • This looks impressive but takes barely any active cooking time, perfect for those nights when you want to serve something special but only have energy for simple prep
02 -
  • The most common mistake is overfilling the pockets, which causes the cheese to burst out during baking and creates a mess in your dish
  • Using room temperature chicken helps it cook more evenly, so take it out of the fridge about 20 minutes before you start prepping
03 -
  • Chill the mozzarella slices in the freezer for ten minutes before stuffing, this helps them stay in place better and melt more slowly
  • Place the stuffed chicken seam side down in the baking dish to help keep the filling contained while it bakes
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