This easy spinach-stuffed chicken breast recipe is loaded with a delicious blend of three cheeses, walnuts, and sun dried tomatoes. It’s rich and creamy but not heavy. Plus, it’s ready in 20 minutes!

A close up of a spinach stuffed chicken breast in a cast iron skillet.
Photo Credits: Mark Beahm

Chicken breasts sometimes get a bad wrap for boring weeknight dinners. But treating them as a blank canvas for decadent flavors transforms the rather lean meat into a total crowd pleaser. And these spinach stuffed chicken breasts with a melty cheese filling are the perfect example of weeknight chicken done right!

With bright sun dried tomatoes, creamy ricotta cheese, and aromatic oregano, they boast big Italian-style comfort but aren’t overly heavy. They’re the perfect balance of indulgent and nutritious! And, because they cook quickly in one skillet, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or a special night in without the fuss.

Table of Contents
  1. Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast Ingredients
  2. Swaps and Substitutions 
  3. How to Make Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast
  4. What to Serve with Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast
  5. More Chicken Breast Recipes
  6. Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe
Ingredients for spinach stuffed chicken including chicken breasts, salt, black pepper, olive oil ricotta cheese, mozzarella, grated parmesan, walnuts, frozen spinach, sundried tomatoes, parsley, garlic and oregano.

Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast Ingredients

I wanted this spinach stuffed chicken breast recipe to be very much a “grab on the way home from work” situation. You’ll likely have most of what you need, so you only need to grab a few things! Here are the ingredients: 

  • Spinach: Frozen spinach, which is already wilted and shrunk, is the secret to packing loads of this superfood into a recipe with little effort. 
  • Walnuts: I prefer walnuts for the filling because they are so buttery-tender that they don’t overwhelm the creamy texture.  
  • Sun dried tomatoes add a bright flavor and chewy texture. I prefer the dried variety we sell in our shop over oil-packed but either will do.
  • Parsley brings freshness. 
  • Garlic adds its signature sweet-savory-bold flavor. 
  • Cheese: A 3-cheese mixture of ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan is rich and flavorful without being heavy.  
  • Oregano brings an aromatic quality. Look for Greek oregano, which is earthy and peppery, rather than Mexican oregano which is anise-like. 
  • Kosher salt and black pepper enhance the other flavors. 
  • Extra virgin olive oil holds the filling together and adds richness. I love our buttery Italian Nocellara with this recipe. 
  • Chicken breasts are lean and thick, making them perfect for stuffing. 
Three spinach stuffed chicken breasts on a platter.

Swaps and Substitutions 

The great thing about making stuffed chicken breast is that it’s so easy to customize based on your mood and what you have in your pantry. I went for an Italian-style flair for the filling, but you can tailor it according to what you have on hand. 

  • Swapping fresh for frozen spinach: You’ll need to adjust for the difference in volume and water content. To swap 5 ounces of frozen spinach for fresh, start with about 1 pound of fresh spinach. Saute or blanch it until it’s wilted (it will shrink quite a lot), then allow it to cool before pressing or squeezing out the excess moisture. 
  • Walnuts: Almonds or pine nuts. 
  • Sun-dried tomatoes: Green olives or chopped preserved lemons
  • Parsley: Basil.
  • Oregano: Dried thyme, rosemary, or Italian seasoning
  • Chicken: If you love stuffed chicken breasts, try spinach stuffed salmon
Three spinach stuffed chicken breasts in a cast iron skillet surrounded by a cloth napkin and bowls of chopped walnuts and parsley.

How to Make Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast

Using frozen spinach is the key to getting spinach stuffed chicken breasts on your table in under 30 minutes. Here are the steps:

  • Drain the spinach. Place 5 ounces of thawed frozen spinach into a clean (but not precious) kitchen towel and twist to remove the excess water.
  • Make the stuffing. Add the spinach to a medium mixing bowl along with 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts, 6 chopped sun dried tomatoes, 1/4 cup chopped parsley, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 cup ricotta, 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella, 1/4 cup grated parmesan, and 1 teaspoon dried oregano. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper, drizzle with a little olive oil, and mix until well combined. The stuffing for the spinach stuffed chicken in a bowl with a spoon.
  • Prep the chicken. Pat the chicken breasts dry and season on both sides with salt and pepper. Now, you need to make a pocket in each chicken breast. Lay a chicken breast flat on a cutting board. Place a hand firmly on top of the breast. Insert a good chef’s knife in the thickest part of the breast and slice to make a pocket about 3- to 4-inches wide (only cut 3/4 of the way in or you will split the chicken breast).Four seasoned uncooked chicken breasts on a cutting board. One is being sliced open with a knife.
  • Stuff the chicken breasts. Spoon the stuffing mixture into the pocket of each chicken breast (try to equally divide the stuffing among all four pieces).Four seasoned and stuffed but uncooked chicken breasts on a cutting board next to a bowl of the filling.
  • Sear the chicken. In a large cast iron skillet, heat 3 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking. Add the chicken in and cook on one side for 5 to 7 minutes, then turn over and cook on the other side for another 5 minutes or so (chicken’s internal temperature should register 165°F).Two spinach stuffed chicken breasts in a cast iron skillet.
  • Finish and serve. Remove from heat and allow the chicken 3 to 5 minutes to rest. If you like, slice the chicken into smaller pieces. Garnish with the remaining walnuts, a bit of parsley and sun dried tomatoes. Enjoy!
A sliced spinach stuffed chicken breast on a plate with knife and fork. Next to this is a cloth napkin, a bowl of chopped parsley and the other spinach stuffed chicken breasts on a platter.

What to Serve with Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast

Because chicken breasts are a leaner meat, I like to turn them into a satisfying yet healthy meal with a hearty salad. The flavors of this Italian potato salad are a beautiful complement to the chicken.

A grain salad is another great option–this colorful Mediterranean Quinoa Salad with Peppers, Cucumbers, Olives and Feta would go well with the creamy stuffed chicken.

Of course, you can’t forget dessert! Wrap things up with a lovely lemon tart or a bright and refreshing lemon sorbet. I like a little pop of citrus to balance the richness of the cheesy filling.

More Chicken Breast Recipes

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4.77 from 97 votes

Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast

Suzy Karadsheh of The Mediterranean Dish. In the kitchenSuzy Karadsheh
Three spinach stuffed chicken breasts in a cast iron skillet surrounded by a cloth napkin and bowls of chopped walnuts and parsley.
In just over 20 minutes, you can make this easy stuffed chicken breast recipe with a tasty mixture of cheese, spinach, walnuts, sun dried tomatoes and fresh herbs! A winner every time!
Prep – 10 minutes
Cook – 12 minutes
Total – 22 minutes
Cuisine:
Italian
Serves – 6 people (up to)
Course:
Entree

Ingredients
  

  • 5 ounces frozen spinach, thawed
  • 3/4 cup walnuts, finely chopped (divided)
  • 6 sun dried tomatoes, chopped, plus more for garnish
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 cup ricotta
  • 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Kosher salt
  • Black pepper
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

Instructions
 

  • Drain the spinach. Place the spinach into a clean (but not precious) kitchen towel and twist to remove the excess water.
  • Make the stuffing. Add the spinach to a medium mixing bowl along with 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts (save 1/4 cup walnuts for later). Add the sun dried tomatoes, parsley, garlic, ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan. Season with the oregano and a pinch of salt and pepper. Drizzle with a little olive oil, and mix until well combined.
  • Prep the chicken. Pat the chicken breasts dry and season on both sides with salt and pepper. Now, you need to make a pocket in each chicken breast. Lay a chicken breast flat on a cutting board. Place a hand firmly on top of the breast. Insert a good chef’s knife in the thickest part of the breast and slice to make a pocket about 3- to 4-inches wide (only cut 3/4 of the way in or you will split the chicken breast).
  • Stuff the chicken breasts. Spoon the stuffing mixture into the pocket of each chicken breast (try to equally divide the stuffing among all four pieces).
  • Sear the chicken. In a large cast iron skillet, heat 3 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking. Add the chicken in and cook on one side for 5 to 7 minutes, then turn over and cook on the other side for another 5 minutes or so (chicken’s internal temperature should register 165°F).
  • Finish and serve. Remove from heat and allow the chicken 3 to 5 minutes to rest. If you like, slice the chicken into smaller pieces. Garnish with the remaining walnuts, a bit of parsley and sun dried tomatoes. Enjoy!

Video

Notes

  • Shop this recipe: Visit our shop to browse quality Mediterranean ingredients including the olive oil and oregano used in this recipe.
  • To thaw spinach: Leave it in the fridge overnight, microwave it for a minute or two, or run it under warm water in a strainer.
  • Baked option: You can bake this chicken in a lightly oiled baking dish at 350 degrees F heated for about 16 to 18 minutes or until the internal temperature at the thickest part of the chicken registers 165 degrees F. 
  •  

Nutrition

Calories: 259.3kcalCarbohydrates: 4.3gProtein: 24.2gSaturated Fat: 4.4gCholesterol: 66mgPotassium: 460.3mgFiber: 1.9gVitamin A: 3162.2IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 171.4mgIron: 1.5mg
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Bag of sun-dried tomatoes from The Mediterranean Dish shop.

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I’m Suzy; born and bred right on the shores of the Mediterranean. I’m all about easy, healthy recipes with big Mediterranean flavors. Three values guide my cooking: eat with the seasons; use whole foods; and above all, share! So happy you’re here…
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4.77 from 97 votes (64 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. Pam says:

    Could you use roasted tomatoes instead of sundried tomatoes? I am trying to use up the last of my tomatoes.

    1. Suzy says:

      Sure!

  2. Michele Larocque says:

    5 stars
    This looked so delicious, I decided to try it. I was easy to make. Recipe is easy to follow. I substituted pine nuts for walnuts. And it worked great. I toasted them for 5 minutes in the oven first. The stuffing was great and I am thinking of other recipes I could use it in, like stuffed shells and stuff eggplant. Thanks so much. Your recipes never disappoint. I come back to them time and time again.

    1. Suzy says:

      Thank you so much for sharing your experience, Michele!

  3. Maria says:

    5 stars
    I love chicken! This looks absolutely delicious I can’t wait to try it.

    1. Suzy says:

      Thanks, Maria!

  4. Charla says:

    5 stars
    I;m ashamed to say I have never stuffed chicken breasts nor tried them but your recipe was so indepth and well presented that I’m convinced to try it.

  5. Julia says:

    5 stars
    I agree with you – walnuts are mostly used in baking but they are delicious in savory dishes. Love your recipe!

  6. Nkechi Ajaeroh says:

    5 stars
    Chicken breast is one of my favorite part of chicken, and am always on the lookout for new recipes. This looks so so tasty and flavorful! I hope to give it a try.

    1. Suzy says:

      I hope you do! You’ll love it!!!

  7. Jacqueline Meldrum says:

    5 stars
    I really love the stuffing and how you’ve served it.

    1. Suzy says:

      Thanks, Jacqueline!

  8. Ellen says:

    4 stars
    Very tasty filling! But a huge splattery mess to clean up after sauteeing, even with a splatter screen. And a very crusty and hard to clean cast iron pan. Has anyone tried baking the dish instead? I’m wondering how best to do that without drying them out.

    1. Suzy says:

      I’m sorry about the mess, Ellen! I’m sure there is a way to bake them, but I have not tried that with this particular recipe yet, so it’s hard for be to advise. So glad you enjoyed them, though!

    2. Chenée Lewis says:

      5 stars
      This looks amazing! The flavors are perfect and I love sun dried tomatoes. Thanks for this recipe!

      1. Suzy says:

        I hope you give it a try, Chenee!

  9. Kelly says:

    I don’t care for ricotta, so what would you suggest?

    Thank you.

    1. Suzy says:

      For this recipe, I would just omit the ricotta, and maybe add some more mozzarella.

  10. Melissa says:

    Can you sub roasted red peppers for the sundried? Hubs is not a big fan!

    1. Suzy says:

      Sure! The flavor profile will be a bit different, but still tasty!!

  11. Sadia says:

    5 stars
    This is a fantastic recipe…I had to omit the walnuts because of allergies in my family…but still delicious, like all your recipes

    1. Suzy says:

      Awww! Thank you, Sadia!

  12. Top says:

    This looks delicious. And it is KETO friendly. I can’t wait to try it 🙂

    1. Suzy says:

      Enjoy!!!

  13. Mariann M says:

    I prefer not to fry foods as much as possible. At what temp and for how long would you cook these chicken breasts in the oven? I’m thinking maybe 350* for about 30 – 35 minutes?

    1. Suzy says:

      Pan-seared in extra virgin olive oil is a better choice for this recipe, but you can try baking at 350 degrees F, and the best way to know if it’s done is to use a meat thermometer (internal temperature should register at 165 degrees F).

  14. Tom Clark says:

    The recipes are always great, but they NEVER include the oven temp.

    1. Suzy says:

      Hi, Tom. This particular recipe is cooked on a stovetop, not the oven.

  15. Amanda says:

    5 stars
    Now this filling for these chicken breast is loaded with everything I love! And I hav to agree with Steven, the walnuts are a special touch. We love walnuts around here, but I gotta start using them more in savory items too!

    1. Suzy says:

      Totally, Amanda! We use walnuts here in savory cooking all the time. They add flavor and nutrition!

  16. Steven says:

    5 stars
    I just happened to pop on your site looking for a chicken breast recipe and this one is the winner! I love the addition of walnuts here, and thank you so much for sharing all this good information!!!

    1. Suzy says:

      Awesome, Steven! Thanks for sharing