Description
Creamy spinach and ricotta hasselback chicken blends Italian flavors with elegant presentation. Crisp edges and melted cheese create a simple yet impressive dinner perfect for weeknight meals or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup (50 g) fresh spinach
- 1/4 cup (50 g) ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup (20 g) cheddar cheese
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Sauté spinach in a skillet over medium heat with a touch of oil for 3-5 minutes until it softens and releases moisture. Fold in ricotta cheese and cook briefly, then remove from heat and let the mixture cool completely.
- Carefully slice chicken breasts crosswise at regular intervals, cutting approximately three-quarters through the meat to create fan-like sections. Take care not to slice completely through the chicken.
- Gently separate the chicken slices and generously stuff each cut with the cooled spinach and ricotta mixture, ensuring even distribution throughout the breast.
- Sprinkle salt and black pepper evenly over the stuffed chicken breasts. Top with freshly grated cheddar cheese, covering the surface completely. Dust with ground paprika for additional color and depth of flavor.
- Heat oven to 400F (200C). Position chicken breasts in the center of a baking dish, ensuring they are not touching. Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly, and chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165F with clear juices.
Notes
- Ensure spinach is thoroughly drained to prevent watery filling that could make chicken soggy during baking.
- Cut chicken slits carefully and evenly to create beautiful accordion-like presentation and allow even cooking.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like mozzarella or goat cheese for unique flavor profiles and textures.
- For gluten-free version, confirm all ingredients are certified gluten-free and use alternative cheese if needed.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Swedish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 367
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 215 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 47 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg