One of the things Ben and I have been marveling over recently is the fact that someday Lincoln, our newborn baby, will be a teenager who drives (and dates, but I can’t even think about that right now!) then a fully functioning adult who has a job, house, car, and kids of his own. It’s hard to imagine all of that when you’re looking at a tiny little thing wearing a puppy dog-adorned onsie.
Before all of that, though, comes the school-aged years full of band concerts, parent-teacher conferences, soccer practice – scratch that, Ben says golf practice – and lots of homework. Gosh, do you ever think back to your childhood and just want to give your parents a million dollars for shuttling your butt here, there, and literally everywhere nearly every single night of the week for nearly every activity under the sun?!
That is to say, as busy as life feels right now, it’s only going to get busier. I know plenty of you are in the same boat, especially with school starting recently, so I’ve got a recipe for you to make on hectic weeknights that’s super quick yet anything but boring: Sun Dried Tomato and Basil Stuffed Chicken Breasts.
Looks like a lowly ol’ chicken breast right? Wrong-o! Stuffed inside is a mix of not one, but two types of sun dried tomato and basil-flavored cheeses, more chewy sun dried tomatoes, and fresh basil. From start to finish you can get this dish prepped, cooked, and on the table in under 30 minutes. Promise!
While quick and easy, this chicken feels anything but. The fresh flavors will wow and, hello, anything stuffed is usually a crowd pleaser. I made a version of this dish for a freelance project last week, and have made this version twice since then. It is that good!
Start by making the Sun Dried Tomato and Basil stuffing which, as I mentioned, is spiked with two types of cheeses – muwahaha! Ahem. The first is Laughing Low wedges. Love these things! FYI they are also delicious with pretzels.
To keep with the theme I used Light Mozzarella Sun Dried Tomato & Basil Wedges. You’ll need four. Just un-peel then pop ’em into a big bowl.
Next add 1/4 cup Tomato & Basil crumbled feta cheese. My Mom clued me into flavored feta cheese a few weeks ago. How the heck did I not know this amazing stuff existed? It’s full of flavor.
Now add 1/4 cup chopped sun dried tomatoes. I always use the ones that are packed in oil, as I like the flavor and texture, but you can use dried –> rehydrated ones too. Whichever you prefer.
Finally add 1/4 cup fresh chopped basil. I love how easy the measurements in this recipe are to remember. Honestly, you don’t even have to measure, but I know how you like your recipes nice and precise! ;)
Mix everything up then set it aside for a sec.
Next cut a pocket into the thickest part of 4 chicken breasts. Use a sharp knife and make sure not to cut all the through now, ya’ hear?
Stuff 1/4 of the stuffing into each pocket, then seal with a couple toothpicks.
Brush both sides of the chicken breasts with extra virgin olive oil, and season with salt and pepper, then saute for 4-5 minutes a side, or until the chicken is cooked all the way through. Be sure not to crank the heat above medium otherwise the chicken will burn before it’s fully cooked.
Remove the toothpicks, steam up some veggies, then dig in and enjoy!
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Sun Dried Tomato and Basil Stuffed Chicken Breasts
Description
Gluten-free Sun Dried Tomato and Basil Stuffed Chicken Breasts are easy, mouthwatering, and ready in 30 minutes!
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts
- 4 Laughing Cow Light Mozzarella, Sun Dried Tomato & Basil wedges
- 1/4 cup Tomato and Basil feta cheese crumbles
- 1/4 cup sun dried tomatoes packed in oil, chopped
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- salt & pepper
- extra virgin olive oil
Directions
- Cut a pocket into the thickest part of the chicken breasts, being careful not to cut all the way through. Combine Laughing Cow wedges, feta cheese, sun dried tomatoes, and basil in a bowl then divide mixture into fourths and stuff a quarter of the filling into each pocket. Close pockets with toothpicks then brush both sides of the chicken with extra virgin olive oil and season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat then saute chicken for 4-5 minutes a side, or until cooked all the way through. Remove toothpicks then serve.
Notes
Adapted from BHG.com.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Tiff @ Love, Sweat, & Beers 09.04.2013
Looks great! I wish the hubby liked sun-dried tomatoes as much as I do. I can’t get enough of those lil’ things.
Amy 09.04.2013
Kristin, I’m SO happy that you included band concerts in your list of potential activities for Lincoln’s school-aged years! I was a huge high school band geek, so it’s really exciting for me to hear that parents (other than my own!) think that sports aren’t the only after-school activity for their kids. :)
And I’ve been meaning to try making stuffed chicken for years now, but I could never quite understand how to make the filling stay inside. I read other recipes’ directions, but your pictures make the toothpick step so much clearer. Thank you for including those!
Alison @ Daily Moves and Grooves 09.04.2013
Sun-dried tomato and basil is one of my favorite combos! Make it creamy and stuff it inside chicken? Sounds like a winner to me! :)
Christina (Sisters Running the kitchen) 09.04.2013
I really love the idea of stuffed chicken- I cannot believe I have never did it before it looks so easy and delicious and professional looking! im honestly not a huge fan of sundried tomatoes for no other reason than bc i had a bad experience with it. I bought them jarred from WF to make my now boyfriend the first meal i ever made for him and they tasted AWFUL. like so awful i threw the dinner out and made somethinig else haha ever since then i have had an eversion to sundried tomatoes and stick to roasting tomatoes instead! haha
Dena 09.04.2013
My son was just born yesterday, however, he is a SENIOR on the golf team this year. How did that happen? Trust me, next thing you know, you will be watching your MAN play golf and wonder how your age tells you you are 41 and he is 17, but your mind thinks you are 23 and he was just born yesterday. I wanna go back and do it again! :**( Instead, I will just make him this chicken dish for dinner tonight and remember when he got his first set of golf clubs at age 4 :)
Melanie @ carmelmoments.com 09.04.2013
My heart just skipped a beat. These look amazing! Getting ready to make sun dried tomatoes with my homegrown ones. This will definitely be on top of the list when I’m done.
Norma | Allspice and Nutmeg 09.04.2013
sun-dried tomatoes and feta – you are speaking to me! And laughing cow too?! Love it!
Elly 09.04.2013
Could you bake this chicken breast? My hubs doesn’t like sauteed chicken!
Iowa Girl Eats 09.04.2013
Sure!
Kristin 09.04.2013
Just out of curiousity, why do you often pan sear your chicken rather than bake or grill it?
Iowa Girl Eats 09.04.2013
I just find it quick and easy, plus the stove top doesn’t heat up the house like the oven does.
Jamie | Jamie's Recipes 09.04.2013
What a great use of the laughing cow cheese. We love it in our house!
Tom T. 09.04.2013
Love sun-dried tomatoes. I bet you could grill this too right?
Iowa Girl Eats 09.04.2013
I think so! As long as you can keep the heat at a medium range.
Wendy 09.08.2013
Just wanted you to know that I did grill these tonight! What a flavorful meal! I set 3 burners on low and laid the stuffed breasts on a cast iron skillet with olive oil for approx. 15+ minutes. I couldn’t find that particular laughing cow cheese so substituted regular Mozzerella instead. Absolutely delicious Kristin! Thanks for all the recipes you pass along. And congratulations on that sweet babe!
Jamie @ Sometimes Healthy Living Blog 09.04.2013
This seems like the perfect nice n’ easy recipe for tonight’s dinner. Thank you!
Lucy 09.04.2013
This looks amazing!! I can’t wait to try it out. And yes, there is nothing like parenthood to make you appreciate a hundred-fold everything your parents ever did for you. And for wondering how in the world they ever let us go when they did. College? Forgetaboutit : )
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health 09.04.2013
It is crazy to think that your little precious man will be a grown adult one day. I wonder if he’ll say “suckers!”… ;) that pic was too cute.
JJ 09.04.2013
Wow this looks amazing. This is going on my meal plan for next week.
Tieghan 09.04.2013
This is one of my favorite fillings! I love sun-dried tomatoes, feta cheese and basil! Such a perfect meal in my eyes!
Danielle @ It's A Harleyyy Life 09.04.2013
I love sun dried tomatoes– pinning this! (:
C. 09.04.2013
These look delicious! I have never stuffed a chicken breast before; I think it’s time to give it a shot.
Shelley @ Two Healthy Kitchens 09.04.2013
Oh, Kristin! These look amazing on so many levels! I love, love Laughing Cow light cheeses, but haven’t tried the flavored fetas. Guess what’s going on my grocery list ASAP!?!? Oh – and I just have to smile as you describe your visions of little Lincoln’s future! Somehow my two little ones are already 11! (Middle schoolers *gasp*! No idea how that happened so fast – probably magic.) It does get so much busier, but in lots and lots of really awesome ways! :D
Alisha @ Alisha's Appetite 09.04.2013
Oh how I love easy chicken breast recipes! And I love that Ben is already insisting that there will be golf practice and not soccer practice :)