Do you ever get tired of having plain chicken breasts for dinner? Chicken is a great source of protein and makes an easy entree for seniors living in retirement communities, but it can get bland if you're simply grilling or baking the meat. One way that you can jazz up your go-to meal is by stuffing chicken breasts with a variety of flavorful ingredients. This recipe uses spinach and mushrooms to give the poultry a boost of flavor while still providing a healthy, protein-packed dish.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 Tbsp. olive oil, divided
- 1 tsp. minced garlic
- 1 1/2 cups small mushroom caps
- 1/2 cup onion, chopped
- 1/4 tsp. dried thyme
- 1/4 tsp. rosemary
- Salt and pepper
- 1 1/2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 3/4 cup finely ground almonds
- Toothpicks
Directions
First, you'll need to prepare your chicken breasts by pounding them into a thin, even layer. To do this, place the breasts in a sealable plastic bag, then lay the bag on the counter. Cover with a dish cloth, then use a mallet or heavy skillet to pound the chicken. Start at the middle of each breast and work your way to the edges. You'll want each piece of chicken to be around 1/4-inch thick.
Next, heat up 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic, mushrooms and onions to the pan, then sprinkle thyme, rosemary, salt and pepper of the ingredients. Saute the mixture for five minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat and allow the ingredients to cool for a minute. Transfer mushroom and onion mixture into a food processor, then pulse until the mushrooms are finely ground. Put the mixture in a large bowl and mix in spinach and almonds. Stir the ingredients until well-combined, and then you're ready to stuff the chicken breasts.
Place a mound of stuffing in the center of each piece of chicken. Roll the breast tightly around the filling, and secure the chicken with a toothpick. Pour the remaining olive oil into the skillet and warm over medium heat. Add the stuffed chicken to the pan. It will take around 10 to 12 minutes for the chicken to be cooked through. Make sure to roll the breasts so they brown on all sides. Remove the toothpicks, and your dish is good to go. Serve the chicken with a side of your favorite vegetables and some quinoa for a well-rounded dinner.