Mozzarella & Pesto Stuffed Chicken (Print-Friendly)

Tender chicken breasts filled with fragrant basil pesto and creamy mozzarella, baked to golden perfection.

# 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 It:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a baking dish with cooking spray or oil.
02 - Using a sharp knife, cut a deep pocket lengthwise in each chicken breast, being careful not to slice completely through the meat.
03 - Season both sides of each chicken breast with salt and black pepper.
04 - Fill each pocket with 1 tablespoon of basil pesto and a quarter of the mozzarella slices. Secure with toothpicks if needed to keep filling intact.
05 - Place the stuffed chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish and brush the surface 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 reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and juices run clear when pierced.
08 - Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Remove toothpicks and serve warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The pesto creates pockets of intense herb flavor that seep into the chicken as it bakes
  • Everything comes together in about 15 minutes of active prep time
  • The cheese filling keeps the chicken incredibly moist even after baking
02 -
  • The chicken continues cooking slightly while resting so pull it out when it reaches about 70°C internally
  • Slicing your pockets too thin can cause the filling to burst out during baking
  • If cheese escapes onto the baking dish, those crispy bits are actually delicious and can be spooned over the chicken
03 -
  • Make double the recipe and freeze the uncooked stuffed chicken for an easy dinner later
  • Use pre-sliced mozzarella to save prep time or buy a log and slice it yourself for better melting
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