Pear and Gorgonzola Stuffed Chicken Recipe
Tender chicken breasts stuffed with a flavorful mixture of ripe pears, creamy Gorgonzola cheese, fresh spinach, and garlic, then seared and baked to perfection for a deliciously sophisticated meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Stuffing
- 2 ripe yet firm pears, diced
- 4 oz Gorgonzola cheese, crumbled
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Other
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- Balsamic vinegar (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the chicken.
- Prepare Stuffing: In a mixing bowl, combine the diced pears, crumbled Gorgonzola cheese, chopped spinach, minced garlic, salt, and pepper to create the stuffing mixture.
- Create Chicken Pockets: Carefully slice each chicken breast on one side to form a pocket without cutting all the way through, then stuff each pocket generously with the pear and cheese mixture.
- Sear Chicken: Heat the extra virgin olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Place the stuffed chicken breasts in the skillet and sear for 4-5 minutes on each side until they develop a golden brown crust.
- Bake Chicken: Transfer the skillet with the seared chicken to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (75°C), ensuring it’s fully cooked.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven and let the chicken rest for a few minutes. Optionally, drizzle the breasts with balsamic vinegar before serving for an added burst of flavor.
Notes
- Use firm pears that hold their shape well to prevent the stuffing from becoming mushy.
- Ensure the chicken breasts are fully cooked by checking the internal temperature with a meat thermometer.
- For a nuttier flavor, consider adding chopped walnuts to the stuffing mixture.
- Balsamic vinegar is optional but adds a nice tangy contrast to the sweet and savory stuffing.
- If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, sear the chicken in a regular pan and then transfer to a baking dish before placing in the oven.
Keywords: stuffed chicken, pear and gorgonzola chicken, baked stuffed chicken breasts, chicken with cheese and fruit, elegant chicken dinner
