Description
Italian Stuffed Chicken is a flavorful baked dish featuring tender chicken breasts rolled with basil pesto, juicy tomatoes, and melted cheese, then coated in seasoned breadcrumbs and baked until golden. It’s an elegant yet easy dinner perfect for weeknights or special occasions.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (6 ounces each), pounded to 1/4-inch thickness
- 1 cup shredded provolone or mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup basil pesto
- 1 (14-ounce) can Italian-style diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 cup Italian-style bread crumbs
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or non-stick cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil or non-stick spray.
- Season both sides of the pounded chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dried oregano.
- Spread about 2 tablespoons of pesto over each chicken breast.
- Spoon drained diced tomatoes evenly over the pesto layer.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over each piece.
- Roll each chicken breast tightly and secure with toothpicks if needed.
- Brush each roll lightly with olive oil, then coat evenly in Italian-style breadcrumbs.
- Place seam-side down in the prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and coating is golden brown.
- Rest for 5 minutes, remove toothpicks, and serve.
Notes
- Drain tomatoes well to prevent excess moisture.
- Secure tightly with toothpicks to keep rolls intact.
- Broil for 2–3 minutes at the end for extra crispiness.
- Use gluten-free breadcrumbs for a gluten-free option.
- Let chicken rest before slicing to retain juices.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed chicken breast
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 46 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg
