Chicken Breasts Stuffed with Fontina Cheese and Spinach 🍗🧀🌿
Description: This chicken dish is not just a meal; it’s an experience. With its delightful blend of tender chicken, creamy Fontina cheese, and fresh spinach, each bite is a burst of flavor. Perfect for your next gathering, whether it’s a sophisticated brunch or a cozy dinner affair. Impress your guests with this elegant yet easy-to-make dish!
- Preparation Time: 25 minutes
- Cooking Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Servings: 4
Ingredients:
| For the Sauce: | |
|---|---|
| – 10 oz dry white wine | |
| – 6 tbsp fresh lemon juice | |
| – 2 tbsp white wine vinegar | |
| – 2 shallots, finely chopped | |
| – 1/8 tsp pepper | |
| For the Chicken: | |
| – 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves | |
| – 2 tbsp olive oil | |
| – 2 tsp minced garlic | |
| – 2/3 cup Fontina cheese, shredded | |
| – 12 fresh spinach leaves | |
| – 6 tbsp butter | |
| Additional: | |
| – Salt and pepper to taste | |
| – Cooking string |
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Sauce:
- In a medium saucepan, combine the dry white wine, fresh lemon juice, white wine vinegar, chopped shallot, and pepper.
- Boil the mixture until it’s reduced to about ¼ cup, which should take around 8 minutes. You can do this step a day ahead to save time.
2. Prepare the Chicken:
- Place each chicken breast between sheets of wax paper and gently pound them to about a 7 x 4-inch rectangle.
- Lay the chicken smooth side down on your work surface.
- Rub each chicken breast with ½ tsp of olive oil and ½ tsp of minced garlic.
- Sprinkle each chicken breast with a generous portion of shredded Fontina cheese.
- Top each with 3 fresh spinach leaves, overlapping them if needed.
- Carefully roll up the chicken breasts jelly-roll style, starting at the short end.
- Tie the rolled-up chicken with cooking string in several places. You can prepare this step up to 8 hours ahead of time.
3. Cooking the Chicken:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large, ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat.
- Season the tied-up chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
- Brown the chicken well on all sides in the skillet, which should take about 10 minutes.
- Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake the chicken until it’s cooked through, approximately 15 minutes.
4. Prepare the Sauce (Continued):
- While the chicken is baking, bring the prepared sauce to a simmer.
- Add the butter to the sauce, one piece at a time, whisking continuously until the butter melts and the sauce becomes smooth and velvety.
5. Serving:
- Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the oven and transfer it to a plate.
- Allow the chicken to rest for about 5 minutes.
- Remove the cooking string from the chicken breasts.
- Slice the chicken crosswise into ½-inch thick slices.
- Fan out the sliced chicken on serving plates, overlapping them for an elegant presentation.
- Spoon the luscious sauce over the chicken slices.
- Serve immediately, with extra sauce on the side for dipping or drizzling.
6. Enjoy the Flavors:
- Each bite of these succulent chicken breasts reveals layers of flavor.
- The creamy Fontina cheese melts into the tender chicken, while the fresh spinach adds a delightful freshness.
- The sauce, with its tangy wine and lemon flavors, brings everything together into a harmonious symphony of taste.
7. Perfect Occasion:
- This dish is ideal for a special occasion, whether it’s a cozy family dinner or a gathering with friends.
- Pair it with your favorite side dishes like roasted vegetables, creamy mashed potatoes, or a crisp salad.
8. Tips and Tricks:
- For a golden-brown crust on the chicken, make sure to brown it well in the skillet before baking.
- Don’t overstuff the chicken breasts; a moderate amount of cheese and spinach ensures they roll up easily.
- If you’re short on time, you can prepare the sauce and stuff the chicken ahead of the cooking time.
- Leftovers (if there are any!) can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
9. Wine Pairing:
- This dish pairs beautifully with a crisp Chardonnay or a light Pinot Grigio.
- The wine echoes the flavors of the sauce while providing a refreshing contrast to the richness of the chicken and cheese.
10. Bon Appétit! 🍽️
- Gather your loved ones around the table and savor each delicious bite of this exquisite chicken dish.
- Whether it’s a weekday treat or a special celebration, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your culinary repertoire.
