Asparagus Stuffed Chicken Breast

• servings: 6
• active time: 10
• total time: 35

Ingredients

3 large chicken breasts

1 tbsp lemon zest

Salt and pepper, to taste

9 to 12 asparagus stalks, trimmed

3 slices provolone cheese

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp paprika

1 tbsp olive oil

Directions

Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220 degrees Celsius), ensuring it reaches the ideal temperature for baking your stuffed chicken breasts to perfection.

Prepare Chicken Breasts: Carefully cut each chicken breast in half lengthwise, creating a pocket while leaving one side intact. Season the inside of each chicken breast with salt, pepper, and a pinch of lemon zest.

Stuff Chicken Breasts: Lay a slice of provolone cheese and 3 to 4 asparagus stalks in the center of each chicken breast. Gently fold over the chicken to enclose the filling, creating a stuffed pocket of deliciousness.

Season Chicken: Season the outside of the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika, ensuring each piece is generously coated with flavorful spices.

Sear Chicken: Heat a large oven-safe skillet, such as cast iron, over medium-high heat. Add olive oil to the skillet, swirling it around to coat the bottom evenly. Carefully place the stuffed chicken breasts in the skillet, top side down, and cook for 3 to 5 minutes until golden brown.

Transfer to Oven: Flip the chicken breasts over and cook for an additional 3 to 5 minutes to sear the bottom side. Once both sides are nicely browned, cover the skillet with foil and transfer it to the preheated oven.

Bake: Bake the stuffed chicken breasts in the oven for approximately 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 155 degrees Fahrenheit (68 degrees Celsius), ensuring they are cooked through and tender.

Rest and Serve: Carefully remove the skillet from the oven and let the chicken breasts rest, covered, for about 5 minutes. During this time, the residual heat will continue to cook the chicken, bringing it to a safe internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit (71 degrees Celsius).

Enjoy: Slice the stuffed chicken breasts and serve them hot, savoring the succulent combination of tender chicken, crisp asparagus, and melted provolone cheese. Pair with your favorite side dishes for a complete and satisfying meal.

Notes

Nutritional Information:

Calories: 191 kcal

Carbohydrates: 2 g

Protein: 27 g

Fat: 8 g

Saturated Fat: 3 g

Cholesterol: 79 mg

Sodium: 215 mg

Potassium: 495 mg

Fiber: 1 g

Sugar: 1 g

Vitamin A: 488 IU

Vitamin C: 4 mg

Calcium: 83 mg

Iron: 1 mg