Take your taste buds on a journey with this Chicken Stuffed with Spinach and Dates! Juicy chicken breasts are filled with tender spinach and naturally sweet dates for a dish that’s wholesome, flavorful, and perfect for any occasion.
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Why This Recipe Works
- Sweet and Savory Goodness: The sweetness of dates and the earthy flavor of spinach create a unique and satisfying pairing.
- Healthy and Wholesome: This Stuffed Chicken is packed with nutrient-rich ingredients, it’s a delicious way to enjoy a balanced meal.
- Simple Elegance: Easy to prepare yet impressive on the plate—perfect for both weeknights and dinner parties.
🥘 Ingredients
- Onion: Adds sweetness and depth to the filling when sautéed.
- Garlic: Enhances the stuffing with its aromatic flavor.
- Dates: Introduce a natural sweetness that complements the savory ingredients.
- Spinach: Provides a nutrient-packed base for the stuffing.
- Cumin: Adds a warm, earthy spice to the filling.
- Chicken breast: Acts as the vessel for the flavorful stuffing.
- Honey: Glazes the chicken with a touch of sweetness during baking.
- Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
- Black pepper: Adds a mild heat to balance the sweetness and savoriness.
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.
🔪How To Make Spinach Stuffed Chicken
Step One: 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 Two: Add spinach and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the spinach wilts and the flavors combine.
Step Three: 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 Four: 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.
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.
🍽 Related Recipes
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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!
Notes
Nutrition
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