Mushrooms, olives, corns and jalapenos or just plain cheese can be added to the stuffing as well. PHOTO: ARHAMA SIDDIQA

Spinach-stuffed chicken: Easy to prepare and impressive to serve!

While chicken is easy to prepare, it gets a bit boring at times. This popular non-desi variation will be loved by all!

Arhama Siddiqa February 26, 2019
Chicken is always a popular and easy dish to prepare, especially given the fact that it comes in many variations, ranging from desi to non-desi.

It is safe to say that for many people a week without chicken is not a satisfactory week at all. But because chicken is so easy to prepare, it gets a bit boring at times. So keeping in line with my 2019 resolution of trying out new things, I decided to prepare a non-desi variation, one that is both easy to prepare and impressive to serve: spinach stuffed chicken.

Spinach is a superfood as it is loaded with nutrients and antioxidants, and hence considered to be very healthy. Eating spinach improves your eyesight, reduces oxidative stress, helps prevent cancer and reduces blood pressure. Moreover, the dark, leafy greens are important for skin, hair and bone health.

Chicken breast is a central part of my healthy fitness cooking because it is a good source of protein and is low in fat and sodium. It also contains zero grams of carbohydrate, because it is a low-carb food.

The recipe below can be given an additional healthy twist as well. Instead of frying, the chicken can be baked in the oven, hence avoiding oil altogether.

One can always even experiment with the stuffing. Mushrooms, olives, corns and jalapenos or just plain cheese can be added to the stuffing as well. For instance, I know a woman who makes stuffed chicken with pears in order to give the chicken a sweet touch.

Spinach-Stuffed Chicken Breast

Ingredients:

Chicken breasts: 4

Spinach: 1 cup, shredded

Cheddar or mozzarella cheese: ½ cup, shredded

Chilli flakes: 1 tsp

Oregano: ½ tsp

Vinegar: 2 tbsp

Black pepper: 1 tsp

Salt: 1 tsp

For coating:

Flour: as required

Eggs: 2

Breadcrumbs: as per required

Sauce (optional):

Milk: 1 cup

Cheddar cheese: 1 cup 

Fresh cream: ½ cup

Mustard paste: 1 tbsp


Salt and pepper: to taste


Garlic: 3-4 cloves, chopped

Butter: 1 tbsp

Method for sauce:

Sauté the garlic in the butter and add all ingredients together. Cook till it thickens.

Method for chicken:
1. Take the chicken breast and cut a pocket into it using a small, sharp knife. You can extend the pocket with your fingers.



2. Marinate the chicken with vinegar, salt, pepper, oregano and chilli flakes.



3. Now in a bowl, take spinach and cheese and mix together.



4. Now put the filling inside the chicken breast. Once your chicken breasts are filled, roll it flour, egg and bread crumbs, and repeat again.



5. Shallow fry in hot oil on medium heat. It will take about 20 minutes to cook. Make sure to cover the saucepan while frying.



6. Take the fried chicken breast out onto a baking dish and bake for another 20 minutes to ensure that it is fully cooked.





7. Serve the chicken breasts with the sauce and some french fries or mashed potatoes.





 

All photos: Arhama Siddiqa
WRITTEN BY:
Arhama Siddiqa The author is a LUMS and University of Warwick alumnus and is currently a Research Fellow at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI). She is also a bibliophile and an avid foodie. Her food blog can be found @chakhoous (https://www.instagram.com/chakhoous/) and she tweets @arhama_siddiqa (https://twitter.com/arhama_siddiqa)
The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necassarily reflect the views and policies of the Express Tribune.

COMMENTS (12)

Parvez | 5 years ago | Reply Talk about coincidences .... I just got back from dinner at a very nice restaurant and guess what I ordered ..... stuffed chicken breast. It was done into five pieces of flattened breast made in the form of small kebabs stuffed with moist turkey bacon and mashed green vegetable with a dressing of cottage cheese sauce ( I wish I had taken a picture of the plate ).....and yes it was delicious. So did you try the recipe of the strawberry jam ?
Hamsid | 5 years ago I will do these roll ups, these seem more edible and eye flattering, my pictures were not flattering at all this time!
Hamsid | 5 years ago jam is going to be IA made this weekend, Was too pre-occupied these two weeks #politicalstuff lots happening in Pakistan all of a sudden !
Hamsid | 5 years ago cottage cheese sauce is a first? cream cheese I know
Hamsid | 5 years ago A colleague at work gave me the idea! I wish I had added fried spinach instead because I tried that later I really should eat out more so that I get more food ideas !
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