I am not sure what my fascination is with stuffing my chicken but I do it all the time. I guess there is something fun about cutting into what looks to be a basic chicken breast and finding that it has a little secret.
So far I have shared my Pizza Stuffed Chicken, Chicken Kiev and my Chicken Cordon Bleu Roll Ups. Today I thought I would share one of my family’s favorites – Broccoli & Swiss Stuffed Chicken! This is a delicious recipe that also happens to be a healthy choice for those of us who are trying to keep it light.
I opt for low fat swiss cheese and bake this dish to keep the calories low. These little modifications don’t affect the taste. You still get a chicken that oozes yummy cheese with perfectly cooked broccoli.
I am not a fan of mushy broccoli so I opt for fresh uncooked broccoli in this recipe. Baking cooks it so that it is crisp tender. If you prefer a super soft broccoli, you can steam it slightly before adding it to the chicken. I have tried frozen broccoli and find that it adds too much moisture. Go with fresh, I think you will find it makes this dish just delicious.
- 2 lbs chicken breast cutlets pounded thin (I used 3 large breasts that I cut in half lengthwise)
- 6 slices swiss cheese - I used low fat
- 1 cup fresh broccoli, chopped
- ½ cup flour
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoons water
- ¾ cup Panko breadcrumbs
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- cooking spray
- Preheat oven to 375º F.
- Place chicken cutlets between sheets of wax or parchment paper and use a meat mallet to pound super thin (approx ⅛ inch thick). Be sure to pound the edges as thin as possible as it will help to seal the rolled chicken.
- Place 1 piece of swiss cheese and a small mound of broccoli in the middle of each pounded chicken cutlet.
- Fold the short sides of the pounded chicken over the filling then start at one end and roll the chicken until you have a tightly sealed mound. Repeat this process with all chicken cutlets.
- Create your breading station by placing the flour into a shallow dish, beaten egg mixed with water in another shallow dish and breadcrumbs into a third shallow dish.
- Sprinkle each rolled chicken with salt and pepper then roll in the flour.
- Next dip the floured chicken into the egg/water mixture.
- Finally roll the chicken in the Panko bread crumbs.
- Repeat this with remaining rolled chicken cutlets.
- Place chicken on a foil lined baking sheet and lightly spray the chicken with cooking spray.
- Place chicken into the 375ºF oven and cook for 25 - 30 minutes or until done.
- If needed you can broil the chicken for 1 -2 minutes to brown the top of the chicken.
- Serve warm.
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