Easy & Delicious Rice Stuffed Chicken Breast with Mushrooms, Spinach & Cheese

Rice Stuffed Chicken Breast with a delectable filling of mushrooms, cheese, and spinach might sound like a dish reserved for upscale restaurants or a special occasion. Yet, this incredibly flavorful and elegant meal is surprisingly simple to prepare, making it a perfect choice for an intimate Valentine’s Day dinner, a cozy date night at home, or even a sophisticated Sunday supper. This recipe uses an easy technique that’s sure to impress anyone at your table!

With special occasions like Valentine’s Day or anniversaries often on our minds, it’s the perfect time to explore romantic dinner recipes that feel a little extra special without being overly complicated. While the definition of “romantic” can be subjective, for many, it often means a meal that requires a thoughtful touch, an extra step or two that elevates it beyond the everyday. This rice-stuffed chicken breast recipe fits that description perfectly, transforming a simple chicken breast into a truly memorable culinary experience.

Consider this Rice Stuffed Chicken recipe. You could, of course, simply pan-fry chicken breasts or bake them plain in the oven, but where’s the fun in that? While a whole stuffed Cornish hen might be too ambitious for a quick meal, taking the time to create a savory mushroom and rice stuffing and carefully tucking it into a juicy chicken breast adds an undeniable “wow” factor. Suddenly, your dinner for two becomes a gourmet delight, all thanks to a few intentional steps and a bit of knife work.

Making stuffed chicken breast with rice, mushrooms, and cheese isn’t nearly as difficult as it looks. You don’t need extensive culinary skills, just a sharp knife, a spoon, and a willingness to handle raw meat – something many new cooks initially find daunting but quickly overcome! The visual appeal and incredible flavor payoff are well worth the minimal effort.

Why You’ll Love This Rice Stuffed Chicken Recipe

• Impressive Presentation: The stuffed chicken looks elegant and sophisticated, perfect for special occasions.
• Flavorful & Juicy: The savory rice, mushroom, and cheese stuffing keeps the chicken breast incredibly moist and adds layers of delicious flavor.
• Easier Than It Looks: Don’t be intimidated by the “stuffed” aspect; the technique is straightforward and achievable for home cooks of all levels.
• Complete Meal: With rice and vegetables already inside, it’s almost a one-dish meal, simplifying your dinner planning.
• Customizable: Easily adapt the stuffing ingredients to suit your taste preferences or what you have on hand.

Essential Ingredients for Your Delicious Rice Stuffed Chicken

Crafting this flavorful mushroom and spinach stuffed chicken breast requires a blend of simple yet effective ingredients that work together to create a harmonious dish. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need:

• Oil: A good quality vegetable or olive oil forms the base for sautéing your stuffing ingredients, imparting a subtle richness and preventing sticking. Olive oil offers a slightly fruitier flavor, while vegetable oil is more neutral.
• Onion and Garlic: These aromatic powerhouses are the foundation of many delicious dishes, and this one is no exception. Diced onion provides a sweet, savory depth when caramelized, while minced garlic adds a pungent, earthy warmth that permeates the rice stuffing.
• Mushrooms: Adding a wonderful earthy, umami flavor and satisfying texture, mushrooms also help to bulk up the rice stuffing, making it more substantial. White button or cremini mushrooms are excellent choices, but feel free to experiment with others like shiitake for a bolder taste.
• Spinach: A fantastic way to incorporate healthy greens, fresh spinach wilts down beautifully into the stuffing, adding vibrant color and a mild, slightly sweet flavor. If fresh isn’t available, frozen spinach (thawed and squeezed dry) works just as well. Peas or other finely diced quick-cooking vegetables could also be substituted.
• Instant Rice: For ultimate convenience, instant white long-grain rice is a game-changer as it cooks directly in the skillet with the other stuffing ingredients, eliminating the need for pre-cooking. If you only have regular rice, you’ll need to cook it ahead of time according to package directions before incorporating it into the stuffing.
• Broth: Chicken stock or broth is essential for cooking the instant rice and infusing it with rich, savory flavor. Using broth instead of water significantly enhances the overall taste of your stuffing.
• Thyme: Fresh thyme leaves add an aromatic, slightly earthy, and peppery note that beautifully balances the richness of the chicken and cheese. Rosemary or sage are also excellent alternatives that complement chicken wonderfully.
• Salt and Pepper: The fundamental seasonings, kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, are crucial for enhancing all the other flavors and ensuring your dish is perfectly seasoned throughout.
• Chicken Breast: The star of the show! The key to successfully stuffing chicken is starting with thick, boneless, skinless chicken breasts. This allows for a generous pocket without tearing through the meat. You can also use turkey tenderloin or breast if preferred.
• Cheese: For that irresistible gooey factor and creamy texture, mozzarella cheese is ideal as it melts beautifully. Other good melting cheeses like provolone, fontina, or even a mild cheddar could also be used to add a different flavor profile.

How to Prepare Your Flavorful Rice Stuffed Chicken Step-by-Step

Ready to create your show-stopping rice-stuffed chicken? This process is broken down into easy, manageable steps:

1. Prepare the Stuffing: In a large, ovenproof skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Sauté the diced onion and sliced mushrooms with a pinch of salt until they have softened and released their moisture, about 5 minutes. Then, add the minced garlic and fresh spinach, cooking until the spinach just begins to wilt, typically 2-3 minutes.
2. Cook the Rice: Stir in the instant rice and toast it for about 1 minute, allowing it to absorb some of the flavors. Pour in the chicken broth, add the fresh thyme leaves, and a quarter teaspoon of kosher salt. Bring to a simmer, then cover the skillet with a lid and cook until the rice is tender and all the broth has been absorbed, which usually takes about 5 minutes for instant rice. Remove the skillet from the heat.
3. Prepare the Chicken Pockets: Pat each thick boneless, skinless chicken breast dry with paper towels; this helps with browning. Season both sides generously with salt and ground black pepper. Carefully cut a long, deep slit into the thickest part of each chicken breast, creating a pocket. Make sure to cut as deep as you can without slicing all the way through the chicken, forming a secure pouch for the stuffing.
4. Stuff the Chicken: Take one slice of mozzarella cheese and fold it in half, then place it into each chicken pocket. This ensures gooey cheese in every bite. Follow with a generous amount of the prepared mushroom and rice filling. Be careful not to overstuff, as this can make sealing difficult and may cause the filling to spill out during cooking. Any leftover rice can be served on the side.
5. Seal the Pockets: Gently press the opening of each chicken breast together to seal in the stuffing. If the opening doesn’t stay closed, insert a few toothpicks horizontally across the opening. This method prevents them from sticking out and interfering with the browning process.
6. Brown the Chicken: Return the empty ovenproof skillet to medium-high heat and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. Once the oil is hot, carefully place the stuffed chicken breasts top-side down into the skillet. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until a beautiful golden-brown crust forms. Flip the chicken over and cook for another 5 minutes to brown the other side. This crucial step adds incredible flavor and color that baking alone cannot achieve.
7. Bake to Perfection: Transfer the skillet with the browned chicken breasts directly into the preheated oven (400°F / 200°C). Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) when measured with a meat thermometer at its thickest part. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving, allowing the juices to redistribute for maximum tenderness.

Refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days, ensuring you can enjoy this delicious meal again later!

Expert Tips for Perfect Stuffed Chicken Breast

How To Stuff Chicken Breast Successfully

The secret to perfectly stuffed chicken breast lies in selecting the right cut and mastering the pocket technique. Always start with a thick piece of boneless, skinless chicken breast. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut a long slit into the thickest part of the chicken, creating a deep pocket. Aim to make the pocket as spacious as possible without cutting all the way through the chicken, which would allow your delicious stuffing to escape.

If your chicken breast is too thin to create a deep pocket, don’t despair! You have a couple of excellent alternatives. You can lay the chicken flat, spread the stuffing evenly on top, and then roll it up tightly, securing it with toothpicks like a roulade. Another option is to simply fold one half of the chicken over the stuffing and secure the edges with toothpicks as it cooks. Both methods yield equally delicious results.

Don’t Skip the Browning!

If you truly appreciate tasty and flavorful food – and we know you do – then absolutely do NOT skip the initial browning step on the stove before transferring the chicken to the oven. While it might seem like an extra effort, especially with the stuffing, I promise you, it’s absolutely worth it. The first time I made stuffed chicken breast, I was tempted by laziness and sent them straight into the oven without browning. The result? Pale, anemic-looking chicken that lacked the rich, caramelized flavor and beautiful golden crust that makes this dish truly special. Chicken simply won’t brown adequately in the oven without overcooking and drying out.

To prevent stuffing from spilling out during browning, strategically use a few toothpicks. Insert them horizontally across the opening of the pocket. This way, they don’t protrude too much and won’t interfere with the chicken’s contact with the hot skillet, ensuring an even sear.

Rest Your Chicken

After baking, always let your stuffed chicken rest for at least 5-10 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a much more tender and moist chicken breast. If you cut into it too soon, the juices will run out, leaving you with drier chicken.

Delicious Side Dishes to Pair With Your Stuffed Chicken

While the rice-stuffed chicken breast is almost a complete meal in itself, featuring both a main protein and a hearty side, you can elevate your dinner further by serving it alongside one of these easy and complementary dishes. Each suggestion adds another layer of texture, flavor, or freshness to your plate:

• Really Good Freekeh Salad: A vibrant and wholesome grain salad offering a delightful chewiness and nutty flavor, perfect for a lighter, healthy accompaniment.
• Green Onion Salad: A surprisingly refreshing and pungent salad that cuts through the richness of the chicken, adding a bright, zesty contrast.
• Pan Fried Potato Wedges: Crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, these potato wedges offer a comforting and satisfying carbohydrate side.
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts: Caramelized and tender, roasted Brussels sprouts provide a wonderful earthy flavor and a touch of bitterness that balances the richness of the cheese.
• Au Gratin Potatoes For Two: Indulgent and creamy, these cheesy potato slices baked to perfection offer a luxurious and comforting side dish.
• Vegan Mushroom Gravy: If you want to add an extra layer of umami and moisture, a rich mushroom gravy can be drizzled over the chicken and any leftover rice.

More Irresistible Chicken Dinner Ideas For Two

If you thoroughly enjoyed crafting and savoring this mushroom and rice-stuffed chicken, you’ll be delighted to explore more of our easy chicken dinner ideas for two. These recipes are designed to bring gourmet flavor to your table with approachable techniques, perfect for any night you want something special. Here are some favorites:

• Balsamic Chicken with Tomatoes: A vibrant and tangy skillet meal featuring tender chicken and juicy tomatoes in a rich balsamic glaze.
• Mediterranean Chicken Thighs: Succulent chicken thighs roasted with vibrant Mediterranean flavors like olives, feta, and herbs.
• Roasted Chicken Quarters: Crispy-skinned, tender chicken quarters with a hint of sweet maple, perfect for a hearty meal.
• Chicken Pot Pie For Two: A comforting and classic chicken pot pie recipe, scaled down for a perfect intimate serving.
• Alfredo Mac and Cheese: A creamy and indulgent mac and cheese elevated with chicken and broccoli, for a truly satisfying dish.
• Lemon Chicken Rice Casserole: A bright and zesty casserole combining tender chicken, fluffy rice, and savory Parmesan cheese.
• Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Skillet: An incredibly easy one-pan meal packed with cheesy goodness, chicken, and healthy broccoli.

Rice Stuffed Chicken

Yield:
2 servings

Prep Time:
20 minutes

Cook Time:
30 minutes

Total Time:
50 minutes

This Rice Stuffed Chicken Breast, brimming with savory mushrooms, gooey cheese, and fresh spinach, is an easy yet impressive dish. Perfect for a romantic dinner or a special home-cooked meal, it’s a technique sure to delight!

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons vegetable or olive oil
• 2 tablespoons diced white or yellow onion
• 2 large white button mushrooms, sliced
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 cup fresh spinach leaves (or 1/2 cup frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry)
• 1/2 cup instant white long-grain rice*
• 1/2 cup chicken stock or broth
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt (plus more to taste for chicken)
• 2 thick boneless skinless chicken breasts** (can also use turkey tenderloin or breasts)
• Ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 slices mozzarella cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a large ovenproof skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the diced onion, sliced mushrooms, and a pinch of salt. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the minced garlic and spinach. Continue to cook, stirring, until the spinach starts to wilt, about 2-3 minutes.
4. Stir in the instant rice and toast for 1 minute. Pour in the chicken broth, add the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and fresh thyme. Cover with a lid and cook until the rice has softened and all the broth has been absorbed, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat.
5. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Carefully cut a deep pocket into the thickest part of each breast, cutting as deep as possible without tearing through the chicken.
6. Fold one slice of mozzarella cheese in half and place it inside each chicken pocket. Then, carefully spoon in the rice filling, ensuring not to overstuff. Transfer any leftover rice to a bowl and keep warm to serve on the side.
7. Press the opening of each chicken breast together to seal the filling. If it doesn’t stay shut, insert a few toothpicks horizontally to secure the pocket, making sure they don’t stick out too much.
8. Return the empty skillet to medium-high heat and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. Once hot, carefully place the stuffed chicken breasts top-side down into the skillet. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until deeply golden brown. Flip the chicken and cook for another 5 minutes until the other side is also golden brown.
9. Transfer the skillet (with the chicken) to the preheated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) when measured with a meat thermometer. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving immediately with any extra rice on the side.

Notes

• *Instant Rice Alternative: If you don’t have instant rice, use 1/2 cup of precooked rice. Just skip the broth step in the skillet and simply stir the already cooked rice with the sautéed ingredients.
• **Chicken Thickness: If your chicken breasts are too thin to cut a pocket, you can still make this recipe! Spread the stuffing on top and roll the chicken up like a roulade, securing with toothpicks. Alternatively, simply fold one half of the chicken over the stuffing and secure with toothpicks as it cooks.
• Looking for more delicious options? Explore my other chicken recipes for two for more inspiring meal ideas.

Did you make this recipe?

Let me know what you think! Rate the recipe above, leave a comment below, and/or share a photo on Instagram using #HITKrecipes

First published February 12, 2018. This article has been updated to include additional tips, serving suggestions, and enhanced SEO optimization.