There’s something irresistible about juicy chicken breasts filled with a creamy, flavorful mix of herbs and cheese — that’s exactly why this Garlic Herb Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe quickly became a staple in my kitchen. It’s simple but feels fancy, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or when you want to impress family without fuss.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Garlic Herb Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Garlic Herb Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Garlic Herb Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’ve made this Garlic Herb Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe dozens of times, and it’s always a hit. It strikes the perfect balance between creamy, garlicky filling and a crispy seasoned crust that just keeps you coming back for more.
- Flavor Explosion: The fresh herbs combined with garlic and parmesan cheese pack serious flavor inside every bite.
- Textural Contrast: Crispy panko coating contrasts beautifully with the tender stuffed chicken breast.
- Impress Without Stress: It looks gourmet but is totally achievable — even on busy weeknights.
- Versatility: Easy to tweak with your favorite herbs or spices to suit your taste.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient plays a key role in bringing this Garlic Herb Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe together. Fresh herbs brighten the filling and cut through the richness of cream cheese, while garlic and parmesan add depth and savoriness. The panko crust ensures a golden, crunchy finish every time.
- Chicken breast: Boneless and skinless is easiest for stuffing and cooks evenly.
- Cream cheese: Softened for that smooth, creamy filling base that locks in moisture.
- Garlic cloves: Fresh minced garlic amps up flavor in the filling.
- Parsley, chives, dill: Fresh herbs add brightness and complexity — don’t skimp here!
- Parmesan cheese: Gives salty, nutty richness that melts into the filling.
- Panko breadcrumbs: For a light, crispy crust that contrasts with tender chicken.
- Garlic powder and paprika: Season the crust for an herby, smoky finish.
- Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning both inside and out.
Make It Your Way
I love experimenting with the herbs in this Garlic Herb Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe — it’s a simple way to make it feel fresh and seasonal. Plus, you can easily adjust the stuffing or crust to fit your mood or whatever’s on hand.
- Variation: One time, I swapped the dill for fresh basil and added a splash of lemon zest — it gave it a bright Italian flair that was amazing!
- Dietary modification: For a lower-carb version, I skip the panko and just sear the chicken in a pan before baking to get that golden crust.
- Make it spicy: Adding a pinch of red chili flakes to the filling gives it a gentle heat that I personally adore.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Garlic Herb Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe
Step 1: Whip Up Your Herb-Cream Cheese Filling
Start by mixing the softened cream cheese, minced garlic, parsley, chives, dill, parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper in a bowl. I usually use a rubber spatula to make sure everything is evenly combined and smooth—this filling is what makes the inside of the chicken sing, so don’t rush it!
Step 2: Prepare Your Chicken Breasts for Stuffing
Lay the chicken breasts flat on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, carefully slice a pocket about ¾ the way through each breast, keeping your knife parallel to the board. This part can feel intimidating at first, but go slow—just think “butterfly” but without cutting all the way through. Season the inside lightly with salt and pepper to make sure every bite is tasty.
Step 3: Stuff and Seal Those Breasts
Scoop about a quarter of your cream cheese mixture into each chicken pocket. Spread it evenly inside, then fold the top over the filling like closing a book. This part reminds me of little chicken parcels—so satisfying!
Step 4: Coat the Chicken in Seasoned Panko
On a plate, mix panko breadcrumbs with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Press each stuffed breast firmly on both sides into this mixture, so it’s fully coated. I find this step gives such a lovely crunch after baking and perfect crust flavor.
Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection
Place the coated chicken breasts into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Spray the tops lightly with olive oil spray—that helps with browning. Pop it into a preheated 425°F oven for about 30-35 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and juicy (internal temp 165°F). I always use a meat thermometer here to be sure.
Top Tip
From my many attempts, these tips took my Garlic Herb Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe from good to unforgettable:
- Sharp Knife Skills: Taking your time to slice the chicken pocket carefully makes stuffing easier and keeps juices inside.
- Don't Overfill: I learned that packing too much filling can cause leaking—so stick to about a quarter of the mixture per breast.
- Olive Oil Spray Magic: Spraying the chicken before baking helps the crust brown beautifully without drying it out.
- Test for Doneness: Always use a meat thermometer so you don’t overbake; juicy chicken is the goal, not dry.
How to Serve Garlic Herb Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe
Garnishes
I usually sprinkle a little extra chopped parsley or chives on top right before serving. It adds a fresh pop of green and a subtle herb aroma that makes the dish feel bright and fresh. Sometimes a lemon wedge on the side brightens things up wonderfully.
Side Dishes
My go-to sides with this recipe include roasted garlic mashed potatoes and a crisp green salad with vinaigrette — the creamy potatoes echo the cheesy filling, and the salad cleanses the palate. Steamed asparagus or sautéed green beans also pair nicely if you want simple veggies.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday dinners or special occasions, I slice the stuffed chicken into medallions and fan them out on a platter with a drizzle of herb-infused olive oil. Adding edible flowers or microgreens makes it feel extra special and festive.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually place leftovers in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making the next-day meal even tastier. Just be sure to reheat gently so the chicken stays juicy.
Freezing
If I’m prepping in advance, I sometimes freeze the stuffed but uncooked chicken breasts, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and then foil or a freezer bag. When ready to cook, I thaw them overnight in the fridge—then follow the baking instructions. It’s a real time saver!
Reheating
To reheat, I cover the chicken loosely with foil and warm it in a 350°F oven for about 15 minutes. This method helps maintain moisture without drying out the chicken or filling, unlike microwaving which can be uneven.
Frequently Asked Questions:
You can, but it’s best to thaw them completely in the fridge before stuffing and baking to ensure even cooking and proper stuffing. Cooking from frozen might result in uneven texture and incomplete cooking.
Make sure to cut a deep enough pocket without slicing all the way through the chicken breast, and don’t overfill. Press the chicken edges gently to seal before coating in breadcrumbs—it also helps to chill the stuffed breasts briefly before baking.
Absolutely! You can stuff the chicken breasts and store them covered in the fridge up to 24 hours before baking. This makes dinner prep super easy after a long day.
For a lighter option, you could try ricotta cheese or a mixture of Greek yogurt and shredded mozzarella, but keep in mind the texture and flavor may change slightly. Cream cheese gives the best creamy, rich consistency for stuffing.
Final Thoughts
This Garlic Herb Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe holds a special place on my dinner table because it balances comfort with elegance so effortlessly. I love how it makes even ordinary chicken feel like a special meal you’d serve to guests. Give it a try—you might find yourself making it again and again, just like I do!
Print
Garlic Herb Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
Delicious Garlic Herb Stuffed Chicken breast filled with a creamy mixture of cream cheese, garlic, and fresh herbs, coated with seasoned panko breadcrumbs, and baked to perfection for a flavorful and satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 chicken breasts
Stuffing
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 3 tablespoon minced parsley
- 3 tablespoon chopped chives
- 2 tablespoon chopped dill
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Breading
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Olive oil spray for coating
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to prepare for baking the chicken.
- Prepare Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, minced garlic, parsley, dill, chives, parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Mix everything with a rubber spatula until it is well blended.
- Cut Chicken: Place the chicken breasts flat on a cutting board. Using a knife parallel to the board, cut a slit about ¾ of the way through each chicken breast to create a pocket for the filling. Season the inside with salt and pepper.
- Stuff Chicken: Scoop a quarter of the cream cheese filling onto the bottom part of each chicken breast slit. Spread the filling evenly and then fold the top of the breast over to enclose the filling securely.
- Coat with Breadcrumbs: On a plate, mix together the panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Press both the top and bottom of each stuffed chicken breast into the breadcrumb mixture to fully coat.
- Prepare for Baking: Place the coated stuffed chicken breasts into the prepared baking dish. Lightly spray the outside of the chicken with olive oil spray for a crispy texture.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven at 425°F for 35 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F and the coating is golden and crispy.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked safely to 165°F inside.
- For a lower-fat version, substitute cream cheese with reduced-fat cream cheese.
- You can add spinach or sun-dried tomatoes to the filling for extra flavor and nutrition.
- If fresh herbs are not available, dried herbs can be used at one-third the amount.
- Let the cooked chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving for juicier results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed chicken breast
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
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