Pepper Spinach Mozzarella Chicken

Featured in: Main Dishes

Stuff roasted peppers, spinach, and mozzarella into chicken breasts. Sear, bake, and serve up in just 40 minutes for a quick weeknight treat.
Twistytaste.com
Updated on Wed, 30 Apr 2025 16:14:56 GMT
Juicy chicken breasts stuffed with roasted red peppers and spinach, resting in a skillet. Pin it
Juicy chicken breasts stuffed with roasted red peppers and spinach, resting in a skillet. | twistytaste.com

Elevate plain chicken breasts to dinnertime magic with this Roasted Red Pepper Spinach Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken. The blend of sweet peppers, leafy spinach, and gooey mozzarella tucked inside creates an explosion of taste while staying easy enough for busy weeknights.

A Feast That Impresses

I stumbled on this gem while trying to jazz up boring chicken dinners, and now everyone asks me to make it. There's something amazing about the mix of sweet peppers, garlicky greens and stretchy melted cheese. The best part? It looks super fancy but doesn't need tons of work or cooking skills.

Your Ingredient List

  • Chicken Breasts: Pick boneless, skinless ones of medium size, cut sideways about 2/3 through to form a pocket.
  • Baby Spinach: Cook it down until soft for a colorful stuffing.
  • Mozzarella Cheese: Go for chunky slices of fresh low-moisture type for the melty middle.
  • Roasted Red Peppers: Cut into strips for their smoky sweetness.
  • Garlic: Finely chopped fresh cloves for amazing aroma.
  • Salt and Pepper: Basic seasonings that bring everything together.
  • Flour: Just a light coating helps create a nice crispy outside.
  • Olive Oil and Butter: Used for cooking and adding richness.

Step-By-Step Cooking

Make the Filling
Cook red peppers and spinach in a bit of olive oil. Throw in the garlic and let it cook about a minute until you can smell it. Add salt and pepper to taste, then set aside to cool a bit.
Stuff and Bake
Open each chicken pocket and stuff with your veggie mix and a chunk of mozzarella. If needed, use toothpicks to keep everything inside. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F inside.
Prepare the Chicken
Dry the chicken with paper towels and cut the pocket. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, then roll in flour and shake off any extra.
Pan-Sear
Warm up olive oil and butter in a pan. Brown the chicken on both sides to create a tasty crust that keeps the filling inside.

Tricks for Success

After making this loads of times, I've learned a few things. Always dry your chicken completely before adding any seasoning, it really helps get that nice brown outside. Don't skip on good mozzarella, the cheap stuff just won't melt as nicely. And don't forget those toothpicks! They're so helpful for keeping all the good stuff from leaking out while it cooks.

Pairing Ideas

We usually enjoy this chicken with a side of rice that soaks up all the yummy juices or some roasted veggies for a healthier meal. Everyone gets excited when they cut into it and see that cheese stretch out. It's the kind of meal that makes an ordinary Tuesday feel like a special occasion.

Two chicken breasts stuffed with greens, red peppers, and melty cheese sitting in a cast-iron pan. Pin it
Two chicken breasts stuffed with greens, red peppers, and melty cheese sitting in a cast-iron pan. | twistytaste.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What does flour coating do?
It makes a crispy, golden crust when you sear and keeps the chicken juicy during cooking.
→ Why sear the chicken first?
Searing forms a crispy crust and locks in juice, letting the oven handle the rest.
→ How do I know the chicken is fully cooked?
Check with a meat thermometer—it should hit 165°F, which takes 20-25 minutes of baking.
→ Can another cheese be used?
Mozzarella melts best, but feel free to try other cheeses. Just keep the thickness similar.
→ Do I have to remove the toothpicks?
Yes, pull them out before serving. They’re there to hold things together while cooking.

Pepper Spinach Mozzarella Chicken

Juicy chicken stuffed with roasted peppers, spinach, and gooey mozzarella. An easy yet impressive way to upgrade dinner.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
20 Minutes
Total Time
40 Minutes

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Fusion Italian

Yield: 4 Servings (4 filled chicken breasts)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 4 chicken breasts, medium size (around 2 pounds).
02 Season with salt and pepper as needed.
03 1/4 cup plain flour.
04 2 tablespoons of olive oil, split.
05 1 tablespoon of butter.
06 1/2 cup roasted red peppers from a jar, sliced thin.
07 1 and 1/2 cups of fresh spinach leaves.
08 3 garlic cloves, chopped finely.
09 4 slices of fresh mozzarella cheese.

Instructions

Step 01

Slice into each chicken breast two-thirds deep. Generously season them with salt and pepper, then coat them in flour.

Step 02

In an oven-safe skillet, warm up 1 tablespoon of oil and butter. Brown each side of the chicken for 2-3 minutes until golden, then take them out.

Step 03

Cook the peppers and spinach in the leftover oil for around 3-5 minutes. Toss in the garlic and let it cook for another minute or so. Adjust seasoning to taste.

Step 04

Stuff chicken with mozzarella cheese and the pepper mixture, and secure with some toothpicks. Bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes, making sure the insides hit 165°F.

Notes

  1. Take out the toothpicks before picking up a fork.
  2. Using jarred peppers makes this quicker.
  3. You'll need a pan that can go in the oven.

Tools You'll Need

  • Oven-proof skillet, large size.
  • Pack of toothpicks.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy—mozzarella and butter.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: ~
  • Total Fat: ~
  • Total Carbohydrate: ~
  • Protein: ~