Cheesy Italian Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe

Name: Cheesy Italian Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: PT-491998H36M18S
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts; 1 1/2 cups shredded Italian cheese blend; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1/2 cup Italian-seasoned bread crumbs; 1 cup spaghetti sauce; 1 egg well beaten; 1 clove garlic finely chopped; 1 tsp dried basil; 1 tsp dried oregano; 1/4 cup extra Italian cheese blend for topping

BY azeddine massafi January 21, 2026

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Finding a dinner that balances the comfort of a home-cooked meal with the elegance of a restaurant-quality entrée can often feel like a challenge. This Italian Stuffed Chicken Breast is the perfect solution, offering a multi-dimensional flavor profile that feels far more complex than it actually is. By taking a lean protein and infusing it with a decadent, herb-heavy cheese filling, you transform a standard weeknight staple into a true culinary event. Whether you are hosting a formal dinner party or simply want to elevate your Tuesday night family meal, this dish delivers a satisfying crunch, a gooey interior, and the bright, acidic punch of high-quality marinara sauce.

Table of Contents

Required Ingredients

To ensure the best results, gather these specific ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in building the layers of flavor that make this dish so memorable.

1 1/2 cups shredded Italian cheese blend (plus an extra 1/4 cup for the final topping)
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup Italian-seasoned bread crumbs
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 egg, well beaten
1 cup spaghetti sauce

Step-by-Step Preparation Instructions

Begin by preheating your oven to 350 Fahrenheit. Ensure your oven rack is in the center position to allow for even heat distribution.
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups of the shredded Italian cheese blend with the finely chopped garlic, dried basil, and dried oregano. Stir these together until the herbs and garlic are evenly distributed throughout the cheese.
In a separate shallow bowl or dish, mix the grated Parmesan cheese and the Italian-seasoned bread crumbs. This will serve as your dredging station.
Prepare the chicken by placing each breast on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, cut into one side of the breast horizontally, stopping about one-half inch from the other side. Open the breast up like a book.
Lightly pound the opened chicken breasts with a meat mallet to ensure they are an even thickness.
Place a generous portion of the herb-cheese mixture into the center of each flattened breast. Fold the chicken back over the filling to close it.
Dip each stuffed breast into the beaten egg, ensuring all sides are well-coated. Immediately press the chicken into the bread crumb and Parmesan mixture, coating it thoroughly.
Place the prepared chicken breasts into a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Bake for approximately 45 minutes. The chicken should no longer be pink in the center, and the juices should run clear. An internal temperature check should reach 165 Fahrenheit.
Once cooked, pour the spaghetti sauce over the chicken and sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup of Italian cheese blend. Return to the oven for 5 minutes until the sauce is bubbling and the cheese has melted.

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Mastery of the Stuffing Technique

The soul of this dish lies in the stuffing process, which requires a bit of finesse to ensure the cheese remains inside the chicken rather than leaking out onto the baking dish. When you “butterfly” the chicken breast—cutting it horizontally to open like a book—precision is key. You want to create a pocket that is deep enough to hold the cheese blend but leaves a sturdy enough border (about half an inch) so the meat doesn’t tear.

Pounding the meat serves two purposes. First, it tenderizes the chicken fibers, making for a more succulent bite. Second, it creates a larger surface area, allowing you to wrap the meat more securely around the garlic-and-herb cheese filling. When you close the “book,” the edges of the chicken should meet. Because we are dipping the entire assembly in beaten egg and then dredging it in bread crumbs, the breading actually acts as a delicious, edible “glue” that helps seal the seams during the initial stages of baking.

Deep Dive into the Cooking Process

Understanding the science of the 350 Fahrenheit oven environment helps in achieving that perfect golden-brown crust. At this temperature, the proteins in the egg and the carbohydrates in the bread crumbs undergo the Maillard reaction, a chemical process that creates those savory, toasted flavor notes we love in breaded meats.

The 45-minute bake time is calculated to ensure that the heat penetrates through the thickest part of the chicken and into the cold cheese center. Because the cheese is insulated by the meat, it melts slowly, absorbing the aromatic oils from the dried basil and oregano. The addition of the finely chopped garlic inside the pocket is a brilliant move; as the chicken cooks, the garlic steams within the meat, losing its raw pungency and becoming sweet and mellow, which then perfumes the entire breast from the inside out.

When you reach the final stage—adding the spaghetti sauce—you are essentially adding a moisture barrier. After 45 minutes in a dry oven, the chicken is perfectly cooked, but the addition of the sauce for those final five minutes prevents the meat from drying out while providing a rich, acidic contrast to the salty Parmesan and creamy Italian cheese blend.

Selecting the Right Accompaniments

This Italian Stuffed Chicken Breast is a robust, protein-heavy main, so it pairs exceptionally well with starches that can soak up the extra marinara and melted cheese. A classic choice is a bed of fettuccini or angel hair pasta tossed lightly in olive oil and a bit more garlic. The long strands of pasta provide a beautiful textural contrast to the crispy breading of the chicken.

If you prefer something slightly lighter, a crisp Caesar salad with plenty of cracked black pepper and extra shavings of Parmesan can cut through the richness of the stuffed breast. For the ultimate comfort meal, serve this with toasted Italian bread or garlic knots. The bread is essential for mopping up any stray sauce or cheese that escapes during slicing. For a vegetable side, roasted zucchini or sautéed spinach with a squeeze of lemon juice adds a vibrant color to the plate and balances the earthy tones of the dried oregano and basil.

Flavor Variations and Ingredient Substitutions

While the recipe calls for an Italian cheese blend, the beauty of this dish is its versatility. If you cannot find a pre-packaged blend, you can easily create your own using equal parts mozzarella, provolone, and fontina. For those who enjoy a bit of a “kick,” substituting a portion of the cheese with pepper jack provides a surprising but welcome heat that complements the Italian herbs.

If you find yourself without Italian-seasoned bread crumbs, you can use plain Panko bread crumbs. To achieve the same flavor profile, simply add half a teaspoon each of dried basil, oregano, and onion powder to the Panko. The Panko will actually provide an even crunchier texture than traditional bread crumbs. For a gluten-free version, almond flour mixed with Parmesan cheese works as an excellent alternative coating, though you should monitor the oven closely as nut-based coatings can brown faster than traditional bread.

Critical Tips for Culinary Success

Temperature Consistency: Always use a meat thermometer. Since chicken breasts vary wildly in size, the 45-minute mark is a guide. Pulling the chicken at exactly 165 Fahrenheit ensures the meat remains juicy.
The Cheese Seal: If you are worried about the cheese leaking, you can use a couple of toothpicks to pin the edges of the chicken together before dipping in the egg. Just remember to remove them before serving!
Fresh vs. Dried Herbs: While the recipe uses dried basil and oregano for their concentrated flavor, you can use fresh. If using fresh, triple the amount, as fresh herbs are less potent by volume than dried ones.
Sauce Quality: Since the spaghetti sauce is added at the end and not cooked down for hours, use a brand you truly love or a homemade marinara. The flavor of the sauce will be very prominent in the final bite.

Detailed Culinary FAQ

Can I prepare these stuffed chicken breasts in advance?

Yes, you can assemble the chicken through the breading stage up to four hours in advance. Keep them covered in the refrigerator. However, do not add the sauce until the final five minutes of baking, or the breading will become soggy. Preparing them ahead of time actually helps the breading adhere better to the chicken.

Why did my breading fall off after baking?

This usually happens if the chicken was too wet before the egg wash or if the bread crumbs weren’t pressed firmly enough into the meat. Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel before you begin the butterflying and pounding process. When dredging, use your palms to physically press the crumb mixture into the egg layer.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

While you can use the same flavors, chicken thighs are much harder to “stuff” and fold like a book because of their shape and smaller size. If you prefer dark meat, you might find it easier to roll the cheese mixture inside a flattened thigh (similar to a rollatini style) rather than stuffing it. Note that thighs may require a slightly different cooking time.

What is in a standard Italian cheese blend?

Most grocery store versions contain a mixture of Mozzarella, Provolone, Parmesan, Romano, Fontina, and Asiago. This combination is ideal because it offers a mix of high-melt cheeses (like mozzarella) and high-flavor cheeses (like Romano and Parmesan).

A Note on the Finished Dish

This recipe is a testament to how simple ingredients, when prepared with care and attention to detail, can create a meal that feels truly special. The combination of the herb-infused molten center and the salty, crispy exterior creates a harmony of textures that is rarely found in simple baked chicken recipes. It is a hearty, soulful dish that brings the warmth of an Italian kitchen into your home, leaving your guests impressed and your family fully satisfied.

Nutritional Information

Nutrient	Amount Per Serving
Calories	470
Total Fat	23 grams
Saturated Fat	12 grams
Cholesterol	165 milligrams
Sodium	1150 milligrams
Total Carbohydrates	22 grams
Dietary Fiber	2 grams
Sugars	5 grams
Protein	44 grams

Nutritional Disclaimer

The nutritional values provided are estimates based on standard ingredient measurements. Actual nutritional content may vary depending on the specific brands of cheese, bread crumbs, and spaghetti sauce used. For precise dietary tracking, calculate values based on the exact products in your kitchen.