If you are on the search for a unique way to make chicken breast at home, try this ham, cheese, and spinach-stuffed chicken recipe with its perfect combination of gooey cheese, earthy spinach, and smoky ham. This chicken recipe is wonderful served as part of a main meal with your favorite sides such as roasted potatoes, steamed green beans, and more, but it can also be served as part of an elegant dinner for date night or a birthday or anniversary.
While this recipe may look quite fancy, it is actually very easy to make. Basically, thin chicken breasts are layered with ham, cheese, and wilted spinach before being rolled up. Then, they are breaded before being fried in hot oil until golden. The combination of the crispy coating, tender chicken, and flavourful filling will make you want to make these again and again.
What is Ham, Cheese, and Spinach-Stuffed Chicken?
This ham, cheese, and spinach-stuffed chicken recipe involves layering wilted spinach and slices of ham and cheese on top of chicken breasts before rolling them, breading them, and frying them. Spinach and cheese is a classic combination for stuffing chicken breasts, but stuffed chicken breasts can be made in several different ways. In some cases, the chicken breast will be butterflied before being filled and baked in the oven. Meanwhile, other versions might involve creamy or crumbly cheeses like goat cheese or feta. This version uses sliced cheese which rolls with the chicken easily, ensuring you get some cheese in every bite.
Pro Tips
- Choose thin chicken breasts for this recipe to ensure that they roll up with the cheese, ham, and spinach easily. Alternatively, if your chicken breasts are quite thick, you can slice them in half horizontally to create two separate portions.
- Use sliced cheese and thinly sliced ham to ensure they roll up with the chicken easily.
- Choose cheese that melts easily such as Swiss, mozzarella, provolone, gouda, or cheddar.
- Use an instant-read thermometer to determine the heat of the frying oil. The best temperature range for frying is between 350 F to 375 F (177 C to 190 C), which will ensure the chicken cooks through before the coating overcooks.
- Feel free to add other types of vegetables to your filling such as sauteed mushrooms or bell peppers, or some sun-dried tomatoes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Replace Fresh Spinach With Frozen Spinach?
Yes, frozen spinach will work well as a replacement if you prefer to use it instead of fresh spinach. In this case, you can skip the sauteeing step, but you can still season it with some salt and pepper after you have squeezed out the excess moisture.
Can I Make Stuffed Chicken With Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs?
If you prefer chicken thigh meat rather than chicken breast, you could make this recipe with chicken thighs instead. However, they will be much smaller in size and you will likely want to serve at least two per serving.
Can I Freeze Stuffed Chicken?
Yes, you could definitely freeze these ham, cheese, and spinach-stuffed chicken breasts. To do so, once they are cooked and cooled, you can place them in a freezer-safe sealed container in the freezer where they should keep well for up to 3 months. Then, before you plan to heat them up, you can thaw them in the fridge.
Can I Use Swiss Chard Instead of Spinach?
Absolutely, swiss chard is an excellent replacement for spinach. Just make sure you remove the ribs as they will provide too much texture in the filling.
How to Store Ham, Cheese, and Spinach-Stuffed Chicken
If you have leftover stuffed chicken, you can place it in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days. Then, you can re-warm the chicken in the oven or an air fryer to ensure the coating becomes nice and crisp again.
Ingredients
How to Make Ham, Cheese, and Spinach-Stuffed Chicken
For the spinach, heat the olive oil and butter in a pan. Add the spinach, salt, and pepper, and cook until the spinach is wilted. Set it aside.
For the spinach, heat the olive oil and butter in a pan. Add the spinach, salt, and pepper, and cook until the spinach is wilted. Set it aside.
For the stuffed chicken, place the chicken on a cutting board and season it with salt. Layer the chicken with the ham, cheese, and spinach, and roll them up.
For the stuffed chicken, place the chicken on a cutting board and season it with salt. Layer the chicken with the ham, cheese, and spinach, and roll them up.
In a bowl, whisk the flour with the water. Coat the chicken with the batter.
In a bowl, whisk the flour with the water. Coat the chicken with the batter.
Coat the chicken with the panko.
Coat the chicken with the panko.
Fry the chicken in a pot of hot oil until golden brown and cooked through.
Fry the chicken in a pot of hot oil until golden brown and cooked through.
Serve immediately!
Serve immediately!
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