Cajun Stuffed Chicken w/Pepper Jack and Spinach

 This recipe has been floating around Facebook for the last few weeks.  I tried it out recently and was happy with the outcome.

Cajun Chicken Stuffed with Pepper Jack Cheese & Spinach 

 

 

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 40 minutes

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 4 oz pepper jack cheese, shredded (you can use up to 6 oz)
• 1 c frozen spinach, thawed and drained (you can also use fresh cooked spinach)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
  
• 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
• 1 tbsp breadcrumbs (I use Italian style)
• Sea salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Lots of toothpicks

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Flatten the chicken to 1/4-inch thickness.  Season the chicken with salt and pepper.

In a medium bowl, combine the pepper jack cheese, spinach, salt and pepper.

Combine the Cajun seasoning and breadcrumbs together in a small bowl.

Spoon about 1/4 c of the spinach mixture onto each chicken breast. Roll each chicken breast tightly and fasten the seams with several toothpicks.  This part requires a tiny bit of skill and I typically use about 8 toothpicks in each roll to ensure none of the filling seeps out.  Be sure to count how many total toothpicks were used!

Brush each chicken breast with the olive oil.  Sprinkle the Cajun seasoning mixture evenly over all.  Make sure you get underneath, too.  Sprinkle any remaining spinach and cheese on top of chicken (optional).

Place the chicken seam-side up onto a tin foil-lined baking sheet (for easy cleanup).  Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.

Rough Caloric estimate:
16 oz b/s chicken - 560 calories
4 oz cheese - 400 calories (packaged shredded pepper jack)
1 cup spinach - 30 calories
2 tbsp vegetable oil - 240 calories
1 tbsp bread crumbs - 30 calories

Total - 1,260  or 315 calories per serving (4)
It's a few calories less if you skip the bread crumbs like I did

 

This is what my chicken looked like:

I'm not a fan of pepper jack on most days, but combined with the spinach and Cajun seasoning it was really good.

I've also tried this recipe with: Italian Cheese blend, spinach, artichoke and sun dried tomato with Italian seasoning.  The sky is pretty much the limit.  Just try different combinations and see what you like the best.


Paired with roasted spinach or steamed broccoli, this is an easy meal that looks like you spent hours preparing.  Seriously, you do want to account for ALL of the toothpicks before you serve the chicken.  Enjoy!