Mozzarella & Pesto Stuffed Chicken (Printable version)

Juicy chicken breasts stuffed with basil pesto and mozzarella, baked until golden. An easy Italian-inspired main course.

# What You'll 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
06 - 4 ounces mozzarella cheese, sliced

→ Topping

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

# How to Make:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a baking dish with cooking spray or oil.
02 - Using a sharp knife, cut a deep horizontal pocket lengthwise in each chicken breast, being careful not to slice all the way through to the other side.
03 - Season both sides of each chicken breast evenly with salt and black pepper.
04 - Distribute the basil pesto and mozzarella slices evenly among the four chicken breasts, placing approximately 1 tablespoon of pesto and one quarter of the mozzarella into each pocket. Secure with toothpicks if needed.
05 - Place the stuffed chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish. Brush the top surface of each breast with olive oil.
06 - Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese and dried Italian herbs evenly over the top of each chicken breast.
07 - Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and juices run clear when pierced. Internal temperature should reach 165°F when measured with a meat thermometer at the thickest point.
08 - Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Carefully remove any toothpicks and serve warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The pesto creates an instant flavor bomb so you dont need complicated marinades
  • Mozzarella melting inside keeps each bite incredibly juicy and tender
  • Everything bakes in one dish which means less cleanup and more time to enjoy dinner
02 -
  • A sharp knife is absolutely crucial for cutting those pockets safely and cleanly without shredding the meat
  • Overfilling the chicken might seem generous but it causes the cheese to burst out during baking so show some restraint
  • Using a meat thermometer eliminates all the guesswork and ensures perfectly cooked chicken every single time
03 -
  • Pound your chicken breasts slightly to an even thickness before stuffing for more consistent cooking
  • Let the chicken rest for the full 5 minutes or you will lose all those wonderful juices when you cut into it
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