Unleash Flavor: Creamy Stuffed Chicken Parmesan with Muenster & Basil
Prepare to elevate your weeknight meals or impress guests with this incredibly flavorful and **Creamy Stuffed Chicken Parmesan**. While classic chicken parmesan is undoubtedly delicious, this innovative version takes it to a whole new level by introducing a rich, savory filling that promises an explosion of taste in every bite. Forget dry chicken; our recipe ensures each breast remains wonderfully juicy and tender, infused with a decadent blend of cream cheese, melt-in-your-mouth muenster, and aromatic fresh basil.
This dish is more than just a meal; it’s an experience. The chicken breasts are meticulously prepared, first pounded thin to create the perfect canvas for their creamy core. Then, they are carefully stuffed and rolled, before being coated in a seasoned breading that bakes into a delightful, crispy crust. The final touch? A luxurious bath in your favorite spaghetti sauce, topped with generous amounts of bubbling mozzarella cheese, all baked to golden perfection in the oven. The beauty of this **stuffed chicken parmesan recipe** lies not only in its exceptional flavor but also in its surprising simplicity. A fair portion of the cooking is handled by your oven, leaving you free to manage other tasks or simply relax.
Why Go the Extra Mile for Stuffed Chicken Parmesan?
You might be wondering if the few extra steps involved in stuffing the chicken are truly worth it compared to a traditional unstuffed chicken parmesan. The answer, unequivocally, is yes! The creamy, herby cheese filling acts as a natural tenderizer and moisture lock, ensuring that your chicken remains incredibly succulent throughout the baking process. The combination of cream cheese and muenster melts beautifully, creating a luscious center that perfectly complements the savory chicken. Fresh basil, a cornerstone of Italian cuisine, infuses the filling with a bright, herbaceous aroma that elevates the entire dish.
My own daughter, a notoriously discerning eater, declared this **cream cheese stuffed chicken** her “favorite in the world,” a testament to its irresistible appeal. This isn’t just about adding more ingredients; it’s about crafting a harmonious blend of textures and flavors that dance on your palate. The rich, tangy cream cheese, the mild, buttery muenster, and the peppery basil all come together to create a symphony of taste that will have everyone asking for seconds. It’s a twist that honors the classic while introducing an exciting new dimension of flavor.
The Secret to Success: The Freezing Step
One crucial step in achieving the perfect **stuffed chicken parmesan** is a brief stint in the freezer after the chicken pieces are stuffed, rolled, and dredged. While it may seem like an added step, it’s a game-changer for several reasons. Freezing the chicken for at least an hour ensures that the delicate cheese filling sets, preventing it from melting too quickly during the initial searing process or oozing out during baking. This allows the chicken to maintain its beautiful rolled shape and ensures a more consistent cooking experience. The result is a beautifully intact, perfectly cooked roll-up with a delightful, gooey center.
Beyond the culinary benefits, this freezing period offers a practical advantage: it gives you ample time to clean up your workspace and prepare any side dishes, ensuring a smoother and more enjoyable cooking experience. Think of it as a built-in “mise en place” moment, allowing you to approach the final cooking stages with a clean kitchen and clear mind. So, when planning your next delicious pasta meal, remember this smart freezing hack to guarantee a flawless and stress-free preparation. Your feedback is invaluable, so please comment and rate this dish if you get a chance to make it!
Ingredients for Stuffed Chicken Parmesan: The Essential Components
To craft this exceptional dish, you’ll need a carefully curated selection of ingredients, each playing a vital role in creating the ultimate **Creamy Stuffed Chicken Parmesan**. Our recipe calls for fresh, high-quality components to ensure the best flavor and texture. From the tender chicken breasts to the rich, creamy cheeses and fragrant herbs, every item is chosen to contribute to a memorable culinary experience. We recommend having all your ingredients prepped and measured before you begin, which is a common practice known as “mise en place” in professional kitchens, making the cooking process much smoother and more enjoyable.
How to Make Cream Cheese Stuffed Chicken Parmesan: A Step-by-Step Guide
Creating this gourmet-level dish at home is simpler than you might think. Follow these detailed steps to ensure perfectly cooked, incredibly flavorful **stuffed chicken roll-ups** every time. Precision in preparation will lead to the most satisfying results.
Preparing the Chicken and Filling
Start by preparing your chicken breasts. Place each large chicken breast individually into a large zip-top bag. Using a meat mallet or a heavy rolling pin, carefully pound each breast until it’s uniformly thin, roughly 10 inches long by 7 inches wide. This ensures even cooking and makes rolling much easier. The goal is to achieve a consistent thickness without tearing the meat.
Next, prepare the star of our filling: the cream cheese. Take an 8-ounce package of cream cheese and cut it in half. Then, slice each half in half again, resulting in four roughly equal pieces. Gently flatten each piece of cream cheese – this makes it easier to place and roll. Position one flattened cream cheese piece down the center of each pounded chicken breast. On top of the cream cheese, arrange a generous layer of fresh basil leaves. Finally, cut one slice of muenster cheese in half and place these halves over the basil. The muenster adds another layer of mild, creamy flavor that melts beautifully.
Rolling and Dredging the Chicken
With the filling in place, it’s time to roll. Starting from the smallest end of each chicken breast, tightly roll the chicken, securing the filling inside. Repeat this process with the second chicken piece. Once rolled, cut each stuffed chicken breast in half. This creates manageable, individual portions that cook more evenly and are easier to serve. Set these aside while you prepare your dredging station.
To create that irresistible crispy crust, you’ll need three shallow bowls arranged in a row. In the first bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, grated parmesan cheese, salt, ground black pepper, and dried oregano. Mix these dry ingredients thoroughly to ensure even seasoning. In the second bowl, place the all-purpose flour and cornstarch, whisking them together. The cornstarch helps create an extra-crispy exterior. In the third and final bowl, whisk the two eggs until well beaten. This creates our classic breading station: flour for adhesion, egg for binding, and breadcrumbs for texture and flavor.
Now, carefully dip each rolled piece of chicken. First, coat it completely in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Next, transfer it to the egg mixture, ensuring it’s fully covered. Finally, roll it through the seasoned breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to make sure the crumbs adhere well to all sides. The goal is a uniform, thick coating. Once all pieces are dredged, place them on a large plate or baking sheet. This is where our crucial freezing step comes in: freeze the dredged chicken pieces for at least 1 hour. This firms up the chicken and the filling, helping it hold its shape during cooking and preventing the cheese from melting out too quickly.
Searing and Baking to Perfection
Once the chicken has been adequately chilled in the freezer, remove it and get ready for searing. In a large cast-iron pot or heavy-bottomed skillet, heat about 1 cup of cooking oil over medium heat for approximately 5 minutes, or until shimmering. Carefully place the dredged chicken roll-ups into the hot oil, searing all sides until they are golden brown and crispy. This step is essential for developing that desirable hard crust and locking in the juices. Once seared, transfer the chicken pieces onto paper towels to drain any excess oil while you prepare for baking.
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Arrange the seared chicken into an oven-safe casserole dish. Pour 1 (24 oz) jar of your favorite pasta or marinara sauce evenly over the chicken, followed by 1/2 a cup of water. This creates a flavorful bath for the chicken to cook in. Finally, sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese generously over the top. Cover the casserole dish with foil and bake for 30-45 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Baking time may vary depending on the thickness of your chicken, so always check for an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) using a meat thermometer for food safety. Remove the foil for the last 5-10 minutes if you prefer a golden-brown, slightly crispy cheese topping.
Serving Suggestions & Variations for Your Stuffed Chicken Parmesan
This **creamy stuffed chicken parmesan** is a complete meal in itself, especially when served over a bed of al dente spaghetti noodles, allowing the rich pasta sauce to coat every strand. However, there are many ways to enhance and customize this dish to suit your preferences and occasion. For a classic Italian-American spread, consider pairing it with a simple green salad dressed with a tangy vinaigrette to cut through the richness, and some crusty garlic bread to soak up all that delicious sauce.
Additional Side Dishes:
- Roasted Asparagus or Broccoli: A healthy and vibrant side that adds a nice textural contrast.
- Sautéed Green Beans: Lightly seasoned with garlic, they offer a fresh crunch.
- Zucchini Noodles or Cauliflower Rice: For a lighter, low-carb alternative to traditional pasta.
- Creamy Risotto: For an even more indulgent meal, a side of mushroom or parmesan risotto would be divine.
Creative Variations:
While the cream cheese, muenster, and basil combination is stellar, don’t hesitate to experiment with the filling:
- Ricotta & Spinach: For a more traditional Italian feel, mix ricotta cheese with cooked spinach, garlic, and a pinch of nutmeg.
- Sun-Dried Tomato & Feta: Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes and crumbled feta for a Mediterranean twist.
- Prosciutto or Pancetta: Wrap a thin slice of prosciutto or pancetta around the cheese and basil for an extra layer of savory flavor and a hint of saltiness.
- Spicy Kick: Incorporate a pinch of red pepper flakes into the breading mixture or directly into the filling for a subtle heat.
- Different Cheeses: Experiment with provolone, fontina, or even a smoked gouda for unique flavor profiles.
For those with dietary considerations, consider using gluten-free breadcrumbs for the coating. This recipe is also fantastic for meal prepping; you can prepare the stuffed and dredged chicken ahead of time, freeze it, and then proceed with searing and baking when you’re ready for a quick, homemade dinner. Enjoy this incredibly versatile and utterly delicious **stuffed chicken parmesan** and make it your own!
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Creamy Stuffed Chicken Parmesan
Ingredients
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2 large chicken breasts
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1 lb of spaghetti
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1 24oz jar pasta sauce (any)
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1/2 cup bread crumbs
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1/4 cup parmesan cheese
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1/8 tsp dried oregano
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1/4 tsp ground black pepper
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1/2 tsp salt
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2 eggs
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1/2 cup all-purpose flour
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1 tbsp cornstarch
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1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
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FILLING:
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2 slices muenster cheese
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1 8oz pkg cream cheese
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fresh basil leaves
Instructions
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Pound each chicken breast thin in a large zip lock bag.
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Cut the cream cheese in half and then slice each half in half again. You should end up with four pieces of cream cheese.
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Slightly flatten each piece of cream cheese and place it down the center of each chicken breast.
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Then top with basil leaves and cut one slice of muenster cheese in half and place that on top of the basil.
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Roll the chicken starting from the smallest end of the chicken breast and repeat with the other piece of chicken.
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Cut each rolled piece of chicken breast in half and set aside.
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Arrange three bowls.
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Into one bowl combine the breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and oregano.
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In another bowl combine the flour and cornstarch.
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In the last bowl whisk the eggs together.
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Dip each rolled piece of chicken into the flour mixture, then into the egg mixture, and ending with the breadcrumb mixture.
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Place dredged chicken pieces on a large plate and freeze for at least 1 hour.
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Remove the chicken from the freezer.
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In a large cast iron pot heat 1 cup of oil over med heat for about 5 min. Sear all sides of the chicken rollups and transfer onto paper towels to cool.
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Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Place seared chicken into an oven-safe casserole dish. Pour 1 (24 oz) can of your favorite pasta sauce and 1/2 a cup of water over the chicken. Sprinkle with 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and bake for 30-45 min covered (or until meat is cooked through). Depending on the thickness of the meat, the baking time may vary.