Mouthwatering Chicken Stuffed with Mushrooms, Garlic Butter, and Cheese: A Gourmet Delight

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Imagine cutting into a perfectly golden-brown chicken breast, revealing a creamy, savory mushroom and cheese filling that oozes with flavor. This elegant yet simple dish transforms an ordinary chicken dinner into a restaurant-quality experience that will have your family and guests begging for seconds. Packed with rich, earthy mushrooms, melted cheese, and aromatic garlic butter, this recipe is about to become your new favorite comfort food.

Ingredients

For the Chicken Fillets

  • 4 large chicken breasts
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

For the Mushroom Stuffing

  • 250g (8.8 oz) button mushrooms (or mixed mushrooms), finely sliced
  • 2 tablespoons (30g) butter
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 1 shallot (or 1 small onion), finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
  • 100g (3.5 oz) grated string cheese (mozzarella, Emmental, or mild cheddar)
  • 50g (1.8 oz) cream cheese or spread (such as St. Môret, Philadelphia, or Boursin with garlic and herbs)
  • Salt, pepper, and a pinch of thyme or herbes de Provence

For the Garlic Butter

  • 50g (1.8 oz) Unsalted butter
  • 1 pressed garlic clove
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
  • (Optional) 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Mushroom Stuffing

  1. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium heat.
  2. Sauté chopped shallot for 2-3 minutes until translucent.
  3. Add sliced mushrooms and garlic, cooking for 7-8 minutes until lightly browned.
  4. Season with salt, pepper, and herbs.
  5. Let mixture cool, then mix in grated and fresh cheeses until smooth.

2. Prepare the Chicken Breasts

  1. Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F).
  2. Create a wallet-shaped incision in each chicken breast.
  3. Season inside and outside with salt and pepper.

3. Stuff and Prepare the Chicken

  1. Fill each breast generously with mushroom-cheese mixture.
  2. Close fillets, securing with toothpicks if needed.
  3. Mix melted butter with garlic, parsley, and optional lemon juice.
  4. Brush chicken with garlic butter.

4. Cooking Methods

Option 1: Pan-Fry and Oven

  1. Heat olive oil in an ovenproof skillet.
  2. Brown chicken 2-3 minutes per side.
  3. Transfer skillet to oven, bake 20-25 minutes until internal temperature reaches 74°C (165°F).

Option 2: Oven Baking

  1. Place fillets in a gratin dish.
  2. Drizzle with oil or butter, cover with foil.
  3. Bake 25 minutes, then remove foil and bake 10 more minutes to brown.

5. Serving

  1. Let rest 5 minutes.
  2. Remove toothpicks.
  3. Garnish with fresh parsley.
  4. Serve with rice pilaf, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables.

Nutrition and Serving Details

  • Servings: 4
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cooking Time: 35-45 minutes
  • Calories: Approximately 380-420 per serving

Why This Recipe is Nutritious and Delicious

This chicken dish isn’t just a feast for your taste buds—it’s a nutritional powerhouse. Lean chicken provides high-quality protein, while mushrooms offer essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The addition of herbs and garlic not only enhances flavor but also provides immune-boosting properties. By using a moderate amount of cheese and butter, you get rich taste without excessive calories.

Pro Tips

  • For extra indulgence, sprinkle additional cheese on top before baking.
  • Experiment with different cheese varieties like goat cheese or mild blue cheese.
  • This dish can be prepared in advance and gently reheated at 150°C (300°F) for 15 minutes.

Enjoy your gourmet chicken experience!