Greek Cream Cheese Stuffed Chicken Recipes

GREEK STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Zest lemon. Remove lemon pith with a sharp knife and slice flesh horizontally. Reserve slices.
• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in an oven-safe, nonstick skillet over medium heat until it shimmers, 2 to 3 minutes. Add onion and cook until translucent, 3 to 5 minutes. Add lemon zest and garlic and heat until fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Add spinach to the onion mixture. Cook and stir until heated through, about 3 minutes. Remove spinach-onion mixture to a bowl. Wipe skillet clean and set aside. Stir feta cheese and olives into the spinach mixture. Season with salt and pepper.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Cut a 2-inch slit along the edges of the thick side of each chicken breast. Cut lengthwise, being careful not to cut through the bottom or the opposite edge, creating a pocket. Season the pocket with salt and pepper.
• Stuff each chicken breast with 1/2 of the onion and spinach mixture and close the slits with toothpicks. Dust chicken lightly with flour, salt, and pepper.
• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in the same skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes. Place chicken in the hot oil with the rib side facing up. Cook until browned, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Turn chicken rib-side down and place lemon slices on top.
• Bake in the preheated oven until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center registers 165 degrees F (74 degrees C), about 35 minutes.

GREEK-STUFFED CHICKEN BREAST WITH LEMON SAUCE

Steps:

• Place chicken breasts on a flat work surface. Slice each horizontally through the middle, being careful not to cut all the way through to the other side. Open the 2 sides and spread them out like an open book. Place each one between 2 sheets of heavy plastic. Firmly pound chicken with the smooth side of a meat mallet to a 1/4-inch thickness.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Season insides of chicken with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Layer spinach, tomato, onion, and feta cheese over chicken in that order. Roll chicken over the stuffing and tie ends with butcher's twine.
• Mix olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper together to make the sauce.
• Heat a cast iron skillet over high heat. Add chicken; cook until browned, about 5 minutes per side. Brush 1/2 of the sauce on top.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Pour the remaining sauce over chicken. Continue baking until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reads at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C), 10 to 15 minutes more.
• Remove chicken and let rest for 5 minutes. Slice into pinwheels and serve with pan juices.

CREAM CHEESE, GARLIC, AND CHIVE STUFFED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• In a bowl, mix the cream cheese, chives, and garlic. Divide the mixture into 4 balls.
• Place 1 cream cheese ball in the center of each butterflied chicken breast half. Fold the chicken over the cream cheese, wrap with a slice of turkey bacon, and secure with toothpicks. Arrange the chicken in a baking dish. Pour the butter over the chicken.
• Bake 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the bacon is crisp and the chicken is no longer pink and juices run clear.

GREEK SPINACH-STUFFED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Combine 2 cups spinach, the feta and 3 tablespoons water in a bowl. Insert a paring knife into the thickest part of each chicken breast, cutting along the side to make a deep 2-inch-wide pocket. Stuff the spinach mixture into the pockets.
• Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Add to the skillet, rounded-side down, and cook until browned, about 3 minutes per side. Add the chicken broth, vinegar and sun-dried tomatoes. Partially cover and cook until the chicken is just cooked through, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ditalini and cook as the label directs. Put the remaining 1 1/2 cups spinach in a colander; drain the ditalini over the spinach to wilt it. Return to the pot.
• Remove the chicken to a cutting board and slice. Add the pan sauce to the ditalini along with the mint and 1/4 teaspoon salt; toss. Serve with the chicken.

GREEK STUFFED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Combine spinach, feta cheese, cottage cheese, and the egg and mix well.
• Make a small slice in the side of the chicken breast and stuff with the spinach mixture.
• Saute the chicken breasts in the butter until lightly browned on each side.
• Add any other spices you would like, I usually use salt, pepper and parsley.
• Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.

GREEK STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400ºF. Line a 9 X 13 inch baking pan with foil for easier clean-up.
• In a small bowl, whisk lemon juice, basil, oregano, salt, garlic powder, pepper & 2 teaspoons olive oil. Set aside.
• In a nonstick skillet saute onion, garlic & red pepper in remaining 2 teaspoons of olive oil till onion is tender. Add spinach; cook & stir for 2 minutes. Remove from heat & stir in cheeses.
• Dry chicken; cut deep pockets in each, slicing horizontally almost to the bone.
• Fill each pocket with 1/4 cup spinach mixture, pinch edges of chicken closed to minimize ooze.
• Place chicken in baking pan. Brush reserved oil/juice/herb mixture over each piece.
• Cover and bake for 45 minutes. Uncover & bake 10-15 minutes more until chicken is done ( 170ºF on meat thermometer).

FETA-STUFFED CHICKEN BREAST

Steps:

• Use a sharp knife to slice a pocket in the thickest part of each chicken breast.
• Mix bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl.
• Cut feta block into 10 slices crosswise, then cut in half again lengthwise. Roll each piece of feta in the bread crumb mixture to coat. Stuff 2 pieces coated feta into the pocket of each chicken breast. Season breasts with salt and pepper.
• Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Working in batches to avoid overcrowding, add chicken and cook until cheese is melted and chicken is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Remove to a plate and keep warm while cooking remaining chicken.
• Slice chicken at a 45-degree angle and arrange on a plate. Sprinkle with crumbled feta.