Juicy chicken with a twist! This Spinach Stuffing For Chicken Breast pairs tender greens with sweet dates for a savory-sweet combo you didn’t know you needed. It’s wholesome, easy to make, and fancy enough for guests—but simple enough for weeknights.
Spinach-stuffed chicken is one of those timeless recipes that never gets old—especially when you give it a sweet, modern twist like this version with dates. It’s perfect for holiday mains, weeknight meals, or even a romantic dinner at home.
If you love creative stuffed dishes, don’t miss my Zucchini Lasagna Rolls or this comforting Cheesy Sausage Lasagna.
Jump to:
💖 Why This Recipe Works
- Sweet & Savory Perfection: Dates bring natural sweetness, while spinach adds earthy balance.
- Wholesome & Balanced: High-protein, veggie-packed, and satisfying.
- Dinner Party Approved: Looks impressive, but it’s surprisingly simple to make.
⭐ Star Ingredients
- Fresh Spinach: I always choose baby spinach. It wilts fast and blends beautifully into the filling without overpowering. It's iron-rich and adds that comforting, earthy bite.
Dates: Their sticky sweetness is what makes this dish pop. I love using Medjool dates, they’re soft, rich, and blend perfectly with savory flavors.
Chicken Breasts: Boneless and skinless, these are my go-to for stuffing. They’re easy to butterfly and hold all that filling without falling apart.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
- Love a little heat? Toss in red pepper flakes or jalapeños for a spicy kick!
- Mix it up with different greens—kale, Swiss chard, or arugula all bring their own tasty twist.
- No dates? No problem! Swap in raisins, dried apricots, or figs for that sweet balance.
This tasty recipe will go great with my favorite Beet and Sweet Potato Salad. You'll also want to try out this tasty Kreplach recipe for chicken Jewish dumplings.
🔪How To Make Spinach Stuffing For Chicken Breast
- Step 1: Chop the onion and sauté in a skillet with a little oil for 2 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic, cumin and chopped dates.
- Step 2: Add spinach and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the spinach wilts and the flavors combine.
- Step 3: Rinse and pat dry the chicken breasts. Make a horizontal cut in each breast to create a pocket (like opening a book). Season the inside and outside with salt and black pepper. Fill each chicken breast pocket with the spinach-date mixture.
- Step 4: Place the stuffed chicken breasts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Drizzle honey over the top of each breast. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Serve warm and enjoy!
👩🍳 Expert Tips
If you're going to make stuffed chicken, be sure to follow these tips:
- Slice smart! Keep that chicken pocket even so it holds all the good stuff and cooks like a dream.
- Less is more—overstuffing = filling explosion. Leave a little room to keep things neat!
- Got a stubborn chicken pocket? Toothpicks to the rescue! They keep everything tucked in where it belongs.
💭 FAQs
Yes, you can use frozen spinach, but make sure to thaw and drain it well before adding it to the stuffing mixture to avoid excess moisture.
Try chopped dried apricots or golden raisins for a similar texture and sweetness.
For more flavor, you can marinate the chicken breasts in a simple mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs for 30 minutes before stuffing and baking.
Yes, you can prepare the chicken breasts up to the point of stuffing and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours before baking. When you’re ready to cook, simply bake as directed.
💖 Serving Suggestions
These are my favorite sides to serve with stuffed chicken.
- Garlic Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes with a touch of garlic complement the savory chicken beautifully.
- Wild Rice Pilaf: Nutty wild rice with cranberries and almonds adds texture and depth to the meal.
- Cucumber Yogurt Dip: A cooling side that balances the warm spices in the stuffing.
- Buttered Noodles: Simple yet flavorful, these work as a kid-friendly side for the dish.
- Lemon Herb Couscous: A zesty, fluffy couscous with herbs to brighten the overall meal.
🍽 More Super Tasty Chicken Dishes
Did you make this recipe? Leave a review and a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below, or tag us in our Facebook Group! Alternatively, bookmark it in your browser or save to Pinterest.
Chicken Stuffed With Spinach And dates
Ingredients
- 1 Onion
- 1 Garlic Clove
- 3 Dates
- 2 Cups Spinach
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- 3-4 Chicken Breasts
- 1 ½ tablespoon Honey
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black pepper
Instructions
- Chop the onion and sauté in a skillet with a little oil for 2 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic, cumin and chopped dates.
- Add spinach and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the spinach wilts and the flavors combine.
- Rinse and pat dry the chicken breasts. Make a horizontal cut in each breast to create a pocket (like opening a book). Season the inside and outside with salt and black pepper. Fill each chicken breast pocket with the spinach-date mixture.
- Place the stuffed chicken breasts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Drizzle honey over the top of each breast. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Serve warm and enjoy!
Sweet, savory, and so satisfying—this chicken stuffed with spinach and dates is a flavor-packed dish that's both wholesome and delicious!