Our Broccoli Stuffed Chicken recipe is sure to become a family favorite. The filling is creamy, cheesy, and loaded with tender bits of broccoli, the chicken bakes up so juicy, and we wrap the whole thing in bacon!
It’s back to school season and I’m over here like, NOPE.
We’ve always homeschooled our kids, so I’m not one of the moms that gets to wave goodbye at a bus and then go about my day sans kids. Which is nice…I mean, I like my kids.
But, man. They are around A LOT. 😉
Anyway, it’s hectic around here, which is why I’m allllll about the simple dinners that fill tummies and keep people smiling. There is nothing worse than listening to kids complain about dinner.
This broccoli and cheese stuffed chicken is a hit every time. I took my broccoli casserole and changed things up slightly to make it work as a filling for chicken breasts. Seriously good and oh so cheesy.
Plus, the kids don’t really even notice the broccoli because they’re ogling the bacon. That trick works on the husband too, FYI. 😉
Broccoli cheese stuffed chicken for the weeknight win!
We love this served with air fryer butternut squash and green beans almondine.
Ingredient Notes:
Chicken Breasts – I’ve only ever tried this recipe with chicken breasts, but a reader mentioned using chicken thighs. It would probably work just as well with those.
Cheese – This stuffed chicken recipe uses both Parmesan and cream cheese to get that extra cheesy flavor!
Bacon – My favorite part about this chicken is that it gets wrapped in bacon before it goes in the oven. Bacon makes everything better!
How To:
- Prepare the Chicken: Place the chicken breast on a cutting board and grab a sharp knife. Place one hand flat on the chicken breast to hold it steady and use the other hand to slice a deep pocket into the side of the chicken. Do not cut all the way through. This the pocket where you’re filling will go.
- Season the Chicken: Combine the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and salt. Drizzle the chicken with oil. Sprinkle seasoning over the chicken and rub it in to coat.
- Make the Filling: Add the cream cheese, mayo, Parmesan, garlic, and salt to a mixing bowl and stir until smooth and creamy. Stir in the chopped broccoli.
- Stuff the Chicken: Spoon the filling into each chicken breast, making sure to press it all the way inside the opening.
- Wrap in Bacon: Take strips of bacon and wrap them around each chicken breast.
- Bake: Bake the chicken in a hot oven for about 30 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken is 165 degrees.
FAQ’s:
I use fresh raw broccoli in this recipe. It cooks in the oven, so no need to first steam it. I have not tried this with frozen broccoli, however it may work.
I’ve only tried this recipe with the cream cheese so I can’t recommend another substitute. Readers have tried Greek yogurt and ricotta cheese as a sub, and said they worked well.
This recipe should freeze perfectly. Freeze, unbaked, and thaw overnight in the fridge before baking as directed.
More chicken recipes you might like:
Spinach Stuffed Chicken: This chicken recipe is a reader favorite!
Air Fryer Chicken Legs: The kids are obsessed with these!
Lemon Chicken: The simple sauce is bursting with flavor!
Asparagus Stuffed Chicken: This one is even simpler and oh so good!
Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas: Serve these over cauliflower rice.
What to Serve with Broccoli Stuffed Chicken:
Broccoli and Cheese Stuffed Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts about 5 ounces each
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt divided
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 ¼ cup chopped broccoli
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 4 slices bacon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to cut a pocket into the side of each chicken breast. Drizzle chicken with olive oil.
- Add the paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt, garlic powder, and onion powder to a small bowl and stir to combine. Sprinkle evenly over both sides of the chicken.
- Add cream cheese, Parmesan, mayonnaise, garlic, and remaining ½ teaspoon of salt to a small mixing bowl and stir well to combine. Stir in the broccoli.
- Spoon the cheese mixture into each chicken breast evenly.
- Slice each piece of bacon in half and wrap each piece of chicken with 2 pieces of bacon.
- Place the chicken breasts in a 9×13 baking dish. Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.
- Place pan under the broiler to crisp the bacon more, if desired.
JL says
I made it tonight and it was delicious! I used raw spinach in place of broccoli. Didn’t have paprika so i used a chicken seasoning (which contains paprika). Highly recommended! 8)
Karly Campbell says
Glad it was a hit!
Sara says
This is one of the best chicken recipes I’ve ever had!
I swapped out chicken breast for thighs, and it turned out fantastic!
Karly Campbell says
Glad to hear you enjoyed!
Ivory says
You are making my mouth water. Thank you!!!
Kellie says
is it mandatory to have a cream cheese and if not what would you recommend replacing it with?
Karly Campbell says
I’ve only tested this with cream cheese, but ricotta would likely work as well.
Jeannette macklin says
Can you use the bag broccoli
Karly Campbell says
I’m not sure what you mean by bag broccoli.
Lors says
I sooooo wanted to make this but i didn’t have broccoli, so i changed it the broccoli for portabella mushrooms and a little bit of spring onions. I was so amazed at how good it was my husband even liked it. Next time I’ll get the broccoli to try. Thanks so much
Karly Campbell says
Sounds like great swaps! 🙂
Ede says
Can you use frozen thawed broccoli??
Karly Campbell says
I think you probably could, but I’d be worried about the texture of the broccoli.
Peggy says
Trying this tonight can’t wait!!!!
Angela Gilmer says
OMG!!! I made this tonight and it was amazing!!! I made a bacon ranch pasta salad and it complimented it perfectly!!
Mags says
Don’t like Cream Cheese – now what???
Rosann says
These sound great. Once prepared, (before cooking) can the breasts be frozen for later? I would only be using 2 at a time.
Karly Campbell says
I haven’t done it myself, but should work fine. 🙂
Jeni says
I made the recipe a few days ago for the freezer. Wrapped each raw breast in wax paper and sealed them in a freezer bag. I cooked one for lunch today and it was delicious! Juicy and tender and full of flavor.
Karly Campbell says
So glad to hear they froze well and you enjoyed them!
Corry says
Mine is baking as I type and house smells so good! When I added recipe to my trackers the numbers came out slightly higher and lower but not enough to change my mind and net carbs were only 3.6which is important to me.
Karly Campbell says
Hi Corry! I use My Fitness Pal to calculate…seems like all of the sites are a bit different. 🙂
Gwen Patterson says
You don’t mention the size (or at least I can’t find it if you did!). I’m doing Keto and I’m wondering how to measure the protein if the weight of the chicken is unknown. Thanks!
Karly Campbell says
I use 5-6 ounce chicken breasts…seems to be a pretty standard size.
Judy says
I made this for my dinner tonight and I have to tell you it is AWESOME! It was so filling I could eat only 1/2 of my chicken breast. (Which works out fine for lunch tomorrow!) I forgot I was out of garlic and garlic powder, so I used “Weber’s Kickin’ Chicken” in the rub and the filling. Worked out great. 🙂 Love your recipes, definitely going to make more now that I’ve tried this one!
Karly Campbell says
So glad to hear that!! Thanks for commenting! 🙂
Liz says
Trying it tonight. Can’t wait
Karly Campbell says
Hope you enjoyed!
John Stigers says
We are making this today 🙂
375 degrees – celsius or fahrenheit?
Karly Campbell says
Fahrenheit! 🙂
John Stigers says
Thought so 😉
We cooked for 30 min at 200 degrees celcius and it was absolutely delicious 🙂
Renee says
What can i use instead of paprika
Karly Campbell says
You could use any seasoning you like for chicken.
Luanne says
Raw broccoli or cooked?!
Karly Campbell says
The broccoli is raw.
Mike Coventry says
Is the broccoli cooked before going into the chicken?
Karly Campbell says
Nope.
CM monks says
Yummy
Carolyn S Cecil says
This recipe sounds so good. Am going to try making it this weekend. Thanks for sharing.
Karly Campbell says
Hope you enjoy!