Natalia's Chicken Breasts stuffed with Spinach, Ricotta & Provolone Cheese
A mixture of ricotta cheese, spinach and provolone cheese stuffed inside chicken breast and topped with a rich tomato sauce. Got this recipe from a friend in Wisconsin where provolone cheese is very popular. If you don't have the provolone feel free to substitute mozzarella for equally outstanding results.
Yield
4 servingsPrep
15 minCook
30 minReady
45 minIngredients
| Amount | Measure | Ingredient | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | ounces |
chicken breast halves, boneless, skinless
4 breasts about 5 ounces each |
|
|
salt
to taste |
*
|
||
|
black pepper
to taste |
*
|
||
| 15 | ounces |
ricotta cheese
about one container |
|
| 10 | ounces |
spinach
frozen chopped, well thawed and drained |
|
| 1 | clove |
garlic
minced |
|
| 2 | large |
eggs
beaten |
|
| 8 | ounces |
provolone cheese
or mozzarella, divided |
|
| 16 | ounce |
spaghetti sauce
prepared, your favorite rich and thick variety |
|
| 4 |
chicken breasts
halves |
*
|
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350℉ (180℃).
Rinse and dry the chicken breast with paper towelling. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
Using a small sharp knife make a slit in each chicken breast in which to insert the stuffing. Be careful not to cut all the way through the breast. Set aside.
Combine the spinach, garlic, eggs, ricotta and about ¾ of the shredded cheese. Mix well.
Using about ¼ of the mixture stuff each breast, secure with toothpicks if needed and place onto a prepared greased baking dish .
Spoon sauce over all and sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake until done, brown and bubbly and the juices run clear.
Note:
For me this takes 30 minutes and the temperature inside the breast is 160 degrees F which continues up to 165F after a 5 minutes rest.
If you have larger chicken breasts or depending on your oven bake for 45 to 60 minutes if you are unsure.
Comments
Our whole family gobbled this up as if they'd been starving for weeks! Didn't have the provolone cheese so I used swiss instead and turned out perfectly! Loved it, will make again.
Jenny, glad to see that you whole family enjoyed it :-)
Made this tonight and it was very good! Def make it again. Thanks for sharin! :)
You are welcome, Donna! It's our pleasure to see the recipe is enjoyed :-)
Looks yummy!
Looks yummy!
I'm tempted to pound the breasts to about 3/8" thickness and roll the stuffing in it. Also, how about brining the breasts to assure tenderness? Good place to start though. Thanks!
Sounds like some excellent tips. Enjoy :)
just cooked it very. nice May be need just tell people what would go with it