Crispy Ranch Stuffed Chicken Breasts with Spinach & Goat Cheese
Get ready for a flavor explosion with these Crispy Ranch Stuffed Chicken Breasts! Instead of the traditional buttermilk, we’ve opted for zesty ranch dressing to enhance the moisture and flavors of the chicken. Packed with a creamy spinach mixture enriched with tangy goat cheese, this dish is not just an ordinary chicken dinner; it’s a delightful experience perfect for any culinary occasion. Couple the crispy, golden crust with the melt-in-your-mouth filling, and you've got a meal that will impress family and friends alike. Serve it up with your choice of sides and watch it disappear!
N/A
Servings
215
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
chicken breasts
2 large or 1 1/4 lbs (trimmed and pounded if needed)
ranch dressing
1-2 cups (for dipping and stuffing)
panko breadcrumbs
1 cup (for coating)
grated parmesan cheese
1/2-3/4 cup (mixed with panko)
baby spinach
0.5 (10 ounce) bag (washed and chopped)
garlic clove
1 (chopped)
large shallot
1 (chopped)
goat cheese
2 ounces (crumbled)
additional ranch dressing
1 tablespoon (for mixing with spinach)
salt and pepper
to taste (seasoning)
toothpicks
10 (for securing)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2
In a medium skillet, sauté the chopped garlic and shallot over medium heat until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
3
Add the baby spinach to the skillet and cook until wilted. Stir in the goat cheese and 1 tablespoon of ranch dressing until everything is evenly combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then set aside.
4
Prepare your chicken breasts by making a slit in the thickest part of each breast to form a pocket, being careful not to cut all the way through.
5
Stuff each chicken breast generously with the spinach mixture. Secure the opening with toothpicks to hold the stuffing in place.
6
Set up two separate bowls: one with 1-2 cups of ranch dressing and another with a mixture of 1 cup of panko breadcrumbs and 1/2-3/4 cup of grated parmesan cheese.
7
Dip each stuffed chicken breast into the ranch dressing, ensuring it’s fully coated. Allow excess dressing to drip off.
8
Dredge the chicken in the panko and parmesan mixture, pressing gently to adhere the coating well.
9
Place the breaded chicken breasts on a baking sheet fitted with a wire rack that’s been coated with cooking spray. This allows for even cooking on all sides.
10
Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
11
Once cooked, let the chicken rest for a few minutes before removing toothpicks and serving.
Nutrition Information
12.5g
Fat
9.5g
Carbs
17.5g
Protein
0.75g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 400°F (200°C).
How do I prepare the spinach stuffing mixture?
Sauté garlic and shallots for 3-4 minutes, wilt the baby spinach, then stir in goat cheese and 1 tablespoon of ranch dressing.
How do I create a pocket in the chicken breasts?
Make a slit in the thickest part of each breast, taking care not to cut all the way through.
How do I keep the stuffing from falling out?
Secure the opening of each stuffed chicken breast with toothpicks.
What are the two coating stations for the chicken?
One bowl contains 1-2 cups of ranch dressing, and the other contains a mixture of panko breadcrumbs and grated parmesan cheese.
What is the correct order for breading the chicken?
Dip the stuffed chicken breast into the ranch dressing first, then dredge it in the panko and parmesan mixture.
How should the chicken be placed on the baking sheet?
Place the breaded chicken breasts on a wire rack set over a baking sheet coated with cooking spray for even cooking.
How long does the chicken need to bake?
Bake for 25-30 minutes in the preheated oven.
What is the safe internal temperature for cooked chicken?
The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Should the chicken rest after baking?
Yes, let the chicken rest for a few minutes before removing the toothpicks and serving.
What are the main ingredients for the stuffing?
The stuffing includes baby spinach, garlic, shallot, goat cheese, and a small amount of ranch dressing.
What provides the crunch in this recipe?
Panko breadcrumbs mixed with grated parmesan cheese provide the crispy crust.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 215 calories.
How much protein does this dish provide?
This recipe provides 17.5g of protein per serving.
How much fat is in this chicken recipe?
There are 12.5g of fat per serving.
What is the carbohydrate count for this meal?
This dish has 9.5g of carbohydrates per serving.
How much fiber is in the recipe?
The recipe contains 0.75g of fiber per serving.
What kind of cheese is used inside the chicken?
Goat cheese is used to enrich the creamy spinach filling.
What kind of cheese is used in the breading?
Grated parmesan cheese is mixed with the panko breadcrumbs for the coating.
What type of onion is recommended for the filling?
A large chopped shallot is used for a milder, more delicate flavor.
Can I use frozen spinach?
The recipe calls for baby spinach, but if using frozen, ensure it is completely thawed and squeezed dry before sautéing.
How much ranch dressing is used for dipping?
Between 1 and 2 cups of ranch dressing are used to coat the chicken breasts.
How much goat cheese is needed?
The recipe requires 2 ounces of crumbled goat cheese.
How many chicken breasts does this recipe cover?
The recipe is designed for 2 large chicken breasts or about 1.25 lbs of meat.
What amount of panko breadcrumbs should I use?
Use 1 cup of panko breadcrumbs for the coating.
How much parmesan cheese is needed for the crust?
Use 1/2 to 3/4 cup of grated parmesan cheese.
What is the purpose of ranch dressing in this recipe?
Ranch dressing is used instead of buttermilk to enhance moisture and add zesty flavor.
How much spinach is required?
The recipe uses half of a 10-ounce bag of baby spinach.
How many garlic cloves are used?
One chopped garlic clove is used in the sautéed filling.
Is this recipe suitable for a family meal?
Yes, it is described as a delightful experience perfect for any culinary occasion and family-friendly.