main-dishes

Lasagna Spinach Stuffed Chicken

This Lasagna Spinach Stuffed Chicken takes all the cozy flavors of baked lasagna and tucks them inside juicy chicken breasts. Each breast is filled with a rich mixture of ricotta, mozzarella, spinach, Italian herbs, and egg, then nestled into a baking dish, topped with marinara, and finished with more melty mozzarella. The result is a cheesy, saucy main dish that tastes like a plate of lasagna but bakes in less time and uses fewer dishes. Serve it with garlic bread or a simple green salad for an easy, Italian-inspired dinner.

Servings: 2–4 servings
Total Time: 55 min

Ingredients

Chicken
  • 2 large chicken breasts (about 6 oz each)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning, divided
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp salt, divided
  • Black pepper, to taste
Spinach & Cheese Filling
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1 1/2 cups grated mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1 1/2 cups cooked, chopped spinach
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tbsp chopped parsley
  • Black pepper, to taste
Sauce
  • 2 cups marinara sauce

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to **375°F**. Spray a **9×13 inch baking dish** with non-stick spray so it is ready for the **2 stuffed chicken breasts**.
  2. Prepare the chicken: Place the **2 large chicken breasts (about 6 oz each)** on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, cut a deep pocket into the side of each breast, being careful not to cut all the way through.
  3. Season the chicken: Drizzle the **2 pocketed chicken breasts** with **1 tbsp olive oil**. In a small bowl, combine **1/2 tsp of the 1 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning**, **1 tsp garlic powder**, **1/2 tsp of the 1 tsp salt**, and **black pepper to taste**. Sprinkle this seasoning mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts.
  4. Make the filling: In a mixing bowl, add **1 cup ricotta cheese**, **1/2 cup of the 1 1/2 cups grated mozzarella**, **1 1/2 cups cooked, chopped spinach**, **1 tsp dried basil**, **2 tsp dried oregano**, **1 egg**, **2 tbsp chopped parsley**, the remaining **1/2 tsp salt** (from the divided 1 tsp), and **black pepper to taste**. Stir well until the spinach and cheeses are evenly combined and the mixture is creamy.
  5. Stuff the chicken: Spoon the spinach and ricotta mixture into the pockets of the **2 seasoned chicken breasts**, dividing the filling evenly between them. Press gently to help the filling stay inside each breast.
  6. Assemble with sauce: Place the **2 stuffed chicken breasts** into the prepared **9×13 inch baking dish**. Pour and spoon **2 cups marinara sauce** evenly over and around the chicken breasts so they are coated with sauce.
  7. Bake: Transfer the baking dish to the preheated **375°F** oven and bake for **30 minutes**, or until the chicken is nearly cooked through and the marinara is bubbling around the edges.
  8. Add the cheese topping: After 30 minutes, remove the dish from the oven and sprinkle the remaining **1 cup grated mozzarella** (from the original **1 1/2 cups**) evenly over the tops of the **2 stuffed chicken breasts** and the surrounding marinara.
  9. Finish baking: Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional **5 minutes**, or until the chicken is cooked through to **165°F** in the thickest part and the mozzarella topping is melted and gooey.
  10. Serve: Remove from the oven and let rest a few minutes. Sprinkle with additional **chopped parsley** if desired, then slice the **lasagna spinach stuffed chicken breasts** and serve with plenty of **marinara and melted cheese** spooned over each portion.

Notes

  • If your chicken breasts are particularly thick, you may need a few extra minutes of bake time before adding the final cheese topping; always check for an internal temperature of 165°F.
  • For a more lasagna-like feel, serve this chicken over a bed of cooked pasta or alongside garlic bread.
  • You can use frozen spinach instead of fresh; just thaw completely, squeeze out excess liquid, and measure **1 1/2 cups cooked, chopped spinach**.
  • Adjust the herbs to taste—extra **oregano** or **basil** will amplify the classic Italian lasagna flavors.
  • To help keep the filling inside, you can secure the openings of the chicken with toothpicks; remember to remove them before serving.

Tags

main-dishes chicken stuffed spinach ricotta mozzarella italian