Chicken breast stuffed with spinach and panela cheese in light roasted tomato sauce

Chicken breast stuffed with spinach and panela cheese in light roasted tomato sauce

This dish, which fuses simple and healthy ingredients, has become a favorite in modern Mexican cuisine. The combination of chicken breast stuffed with spinach and panela cheese, all covered with a light roasted tomato sauce, is a delicious option that also provides a high nutritional profile rich in protein and vitamins. Ideal for a family dinner or a gathering with friends, this recipe not only impresses with its flavor, but also with its elegant presentation and ease of preparation.

Preparation time for Spinach and Panela Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breast

To enjoy this dish, you need approximately one hour in total. The preliminary preparation, including cleaning, cutting, and assembling the chicken breast, takes about 20 minutes. The cooking, which consists of baking and finishing in the oven, requires another 30 minutes. This is a very useful time for you to organize yourself and have everything prepared without rushing, achieving a juicy and flavorful result. The simplicity of the process allows those who are starting in the kitchen to obtain a professional result in a short time.

• Preparation: 20 minutes
• Cooking: 30 minutes
• Total: approximately 1 hour
• Servings: 4
• Difficulty: Easy

Essential ingredients to prepare a chicken breast stuffed with spinach and panela cheese

The key to a good result lies in the quality and freshness of the ingredients. For this recipe, you mainly need four boneless, skinless chicken breasts, which should be thick and uniform in size. Fresh spinach, preferably with bright, firm leaves, provides an earthy flavor and an invaluable vitamin load. For the filling, the panela cheese, a fresh cheese with a firm texture that maintains its shape during cooking, is the perfect option. Its mild flavor and resistant structure allow the filling to remain intact after baking.

Filling and sauce ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 cups fresh spinach, finely chopped
• 1 cup panela cheese, in strips or small cubes
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
• 4 roasted tomatoes, peeled and crushed
• Salt and pepper to taste
• A couple of sprigs of parsley for garnish

Want to reduce the calorie content? You can replace panela cheese with ricotta or a low-fat cheese. Additionally, if you want a vegan version, opt for plant-based cheeses that can withstand heat and allow the filling to maintain its structure.

Utensils needed for the spinach and panela cheese stuffed chicken breast

To achieve a professional result at home, it is advisable to have a couple of basic but essential utensils. A sturdy and sharp cutting board will be fundamental for preparing the chicken breasts and ingredients. A good blade knife, preferably a chef's or boning knife, will facilitate clean cuts in the meats and filling. For the process of assembling the filling and closing the chicken breasts, small tongs or spoons will help you handle the ingredients with precision.

As for containers, a baking sheet or a heat-resistant glass or ceramic dish will help the chicken breast cook evenly and thoroughly. If you want to add an extra touch, you can also use wooden toothpicks to keep the seal during cooking, ensuring the filling does not escape. Preparation and cooking in appropriate utensils guarantee greater consistency and a perfect finish in every dish.

How to make stuffed chicken breast with light roasted tomato sauce step by step

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) to ensure even cooking and no risk of drying out the meat.
2. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant. Add the spinach and cook for about 2-3 minutes until wilted. Remove and set aside to cool slightly.
3. In a bowl, mix the cooked spinach, panela cheese strips, salt, pepper, and if desired, a little grated Parmesan cheese to enhance the flavor. The idea is to obtain a paste that is easy to fill and not too liquid.
4. With a sharp knife, make a lateral cut in each chicken breast, forming a pocket without completely cutting through, for example, the thickest part of the piece. Ensure the cut is clean and the cavity is wide enough to fill without breaking the meat walls.
5. Fill each chicken breast with the spinach and cheese mixture, ensuring it is well-filled and sealed. If desired, you can use wooden toothpicks to keep the seal firm.
6. Place the stuffed chicken breasts on a baking sheet, drizzle them with a little olive oil, and sprinkle a little Parmesan cheese if you want to enhance the golden crust.
7. Bake for about 25-30 minutes until the chicken is well cooked and golden on the surface. The internal temperature should reach 75°C to ensure the poultry is safe to consume.
8. Meanwhile, roast the tomatoes in a hot pan, leaving them until the skin blisters and they have a deep smoky aroma. Then, peel the tomatoes and blend them with a little salt to obtain a light roasted tomato sauce.
9. When removing the breast from the oven, let it rest for about 5 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute and the filling to maintain its creamy texture.

To finish and serve

Serve the breast sliced, accompanied by the light roasted tomato sauce and garnished with fresh parsley. You can complement it with a green salad, some roasted vegetables or even brown rice to complete a full and balanced dish. The key lies in the balance between the creaminess of the filling, the golden texture of the chicken, and the intense, smoky flavor of the tomato sauce.

Nutritional values and benefits of this stuffed chicken breast recipe

This dish, besides being delicious, is an excellent source of protein, ideal for maintaining and promoting muscle mass. Chicken breast, known for its low-fat content, provides approximately 24g of protein per serving, helping to strengthen the body in balanced diets. Spinach, rich in vitamin K, iron, and antioxidants, contributes to improving bone health and combating oxidative stress. For its part, panela cheese provides calcium and a firm texture that withstands heat well without losing its shape, maintaining a perfect contrast with the tenderness of the meat.

The sauce, made with roasted tomatoes, is low in fat and calories, but packed with a high level of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant associated with the prevention of many diseases, including cardiovascular problems.

Tips for your stuffed chicken breast to be perfect and without common mistakes

One of the biggest challenges when preparing this recipe is preventing the filling from escaping during baking. The key is to make a clean cut in the chicken breasts and seal the opening well with toothpicks or by tying with kitchen twine if desired. Additionally, make sure to remove all water from the spinach after cooking to prevent the filling from becoming too liquid, which would make filling difficult and could cause the meat to fall apart. The temperature and cooking time are fundamental: baking at 180°C for 25-30 minutes guarantees juicy chicken with an appetizing golden crust.

Another frequent mistake is confusing the cooking point, leaving the meat dry or, on the contrary, raw. Using a thermometer or the pressure test technique in the center of the piece helps determine the exact moment to remove it from the oven, achieving a tender and juicy result every time.

When is the best occasion to enjoy this stuffed chicken breast?

This dish is ideal for a special dinner at home, standing out among diners for its presentation and flavor. It also works perfectly as a main course for a family lunch or at a gathering that deserves a more sophisticated touch without complications. Its versatility and simplicity in preparation make it a reliable option for any time you want to enjoy a healthy and nutritious meal, with quality proteins and an intense flavor.

What similar dishes does this spinach and panela cheese stuffed chicken breast resemble?

Share your experience cooking this recipe

Sharing your results, difficulties, and discoveries helps more people get encouraged to create in the kitchen and enjoy a dish as healthy and versatile as this. Cooking is an act that unites creativity and tradition, and each experience adds up to perfect the art of cooking at home.

Essential culinary glossary to understand stuffed chicken breast

• Farce: classic technique of stuffing meats with diverse ingredients, which allows for creating infinite combinations for different recipes.
• Sear: process of browning the surface of the meat over high heat to seal in the internal juices and create an attractive crust.
• Roasted: technique of grilling or toasting food directly over intense heat, achieving smoky and concentrated flavors.
• Debone: remove the bones from pieces of chicken or meat, facilitating their stuffing and uniform cooking.
• Blend: blend liquid or soft ingredients until a homogeneous texture is obtained, such as roasted tomato sauce.