Stuffed chicken breast is a delicious and impressive meal, but getting the cook time just right is essential. An undercooked stuffed chicken breast can be dangerous to eat, while an overcooked one will be dry and flavorless. So how long should you cook a stuffed chicken breast? The answer depends on a few key factors.
The Factors That Determine Stuffed Chicken Breast Cook Time
There are three main things that impact how long to cook a stuffed chicken breast
1. Chicken Breast Size and Thickness
-
Thicker chicken breasts take longer to cook than thinner ones A good rule of thumb is that 1 inch thick breasts take around 30-35 minutes while 15 inch thick ones take 40-45 minutes.
-
Larger chicken breasts also require more cook time than smaller ones since there is more meat to heat through. An 8 oz breast may only need 25-30 minutes while a 12 oz one could need 35-40 minutes.
2. Temperature of Stuffing
-
Stuffing that is room temperature or warm when it goes into the chicken breast will reduce the overall cook time compared to cold stuffing.
-
Pre-cooked stuffing ingredients like roasted veggies or cooked rice also shorten cook time compared to raw stuffing components.
3. Accuracy of Oven Temperature
-
Oven thermostats can be inaccurate, so always double check with an oven thermometer.
-
Cooking at a lower temp than you think will increase the cook time needed. Make sure to preheat the oven fully before cooking.
The Ideal Cook Time for Stuffed Chicken Breasts
Taking these factors into account, the ideal cook time for most stuffed chicken breasts is 30-40 minutes in a preheated 350-375°F oven.
Here are some general time guidelines based on chicken breast size and thickness:
- 6-8 oz chicken breast, 3/4 to 1 inch thick – 30-35 minutes
- 8-12 oz chicken breast, 1 to 1 1/2 inches thick – 35-45 minutes
Stuffing the chicken breast with pre-cooked ingredients or warm stuffing will shave off 5 minutes or so. An inaccurate oven temperature can add 5-10 minutes to the time needed.
Always rely on an instant read thermometer rather than cook time alone to determine when the stuffed chicken is done.
How to Ensure Proper Doneness of Stuffed Chicken
While cook time ranges provide useful guidance, the only way to guarantee the stuffed chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat is to use a food thermometer.
To check for proper doneness:
-
Insert an instant read thermometer into the thickest part of the breast, taking care to avoid hitting the stuffing.
-
The final internal temperature should reach 165°F.
-
If it’s not quite there yet, return to the oven for 5 minute intervals until it hits 165°F.
-
Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before cutting to allow juices to redistribute.
Checking in a few places is wise since the temperature can vary in different parts of the chicken breast. If even one area doesn’t hit 165°F, it needs more time. Don’t rely on visual cues alone since chicken can brown before it is fully cooked.
Step-by-Step Method for Perfectly Cooked Stuffed Chicken Breast
Follow these simple steps for guaranteed tender, juicy stuffed chicken breast every time:
1. Prep the Chicken Breasts
-
Butterfly or slice breasts horizontally to create a pocket for stuffing. Season well with salt and pepper.
-
Or make a slit along the side for a pouch shape. Pound to an even thickness if needed.
2. Prepare the Stuffing
- Choose your favorite stuffing ingredients. Pre-cooked items like roasted veggies or rice will reduce cook time vs raw ingredients.
3. Fill the Chicken Breasts
- Spoon stuffing evenly into pocket or pouch, packing it in firmly but not overstuffing. Cold stuffing will extend cook time.
4. Seal the Breasts
- Use toothpicks or twine to secure opening and prevent stuffing from falling out.
5. Cook in a 350-375°F Oven
-
Place sealed stuffed chicken breasts on a baking sheet or baking dish lightly greased with oil.
-
Cook for 30-40 minutes based on size, thickness, and stuffing type.
6. Test Internal Temperature
- Insert instant read thermometer into thickest area, avoiding stuffing. Cook until 165°F.
7. Allow to Rest
- Let chicken rest 5-10 minutes before slicing for juicy results.
Common Questions About Stuffed Chicken Cook Time
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about cooking stuffed chicken breast:
How do I know if the stuffing is fully cooked?
-
Check the internal temperature of the thickest part of the stuffing, it should reach 165°F.
-
If needed, separate some stuffing from the chicken and continue cooking it until 165°F.
Can I use frozen chicken breasts for stuffing?
- Not recommended. Thaw breasts fully in the fridge 1-2 days before cooking for best, even cooking results.
Is it ok to cook a stuffed chicken breast from frozen?
- No, don’t cook frozen stuffed chicken breasts. Defrost in the refrigerator completely before cooking.
What if my chicken looks pink but registers 165°F?
- As long as the thermometer indicates it hit 165°F, the chicken is safe to eat. Sometimes it can still appear slightly pink.
How do I prevent the stuffing from drying out?
- Avoid overcooking, use moist stuffing ingredients like sautéed veggies or cheese, and don’t overstuff the chicken breast.
How do I keep the chicken breast moist?
- Brush with oil or melted butter, baste during cooking, use a foil tent, and avoid overcooking.
Cooking a Perfectly Done Stuffed Chicken Breast
Mastering the ideal stuffed chicken breast cook time takes some trial and error. But armed with the knowledge of what factors impact the time needed, relying on a thermometer for doneness, and following a step-by-step method, you can achieve tender juicy chicken and fully cooked stuffing every time. Just be sure to account for the size of the breasts, temperature of stuffing, and accuracy of your oven temperature. In most cases, a 30-40 minute baked stuffed chicken at 350-375°F will hit the 165°F mark for safe consumption and delicious flavor.
Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe
- ▢ 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ▢ 4 cloves garlic (sliced)
- ▢ ½ cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
- ▢ ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (divided)
- ▢ 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (room temperature (½ stick))
- ▢ 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning (divided)
- ▢ 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ▢ 3 large eggs (beaten)
- ▢ 2 cups Panko breadcrumbs
- ▢ kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
- ▢ olive oil (for frying)
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- In a small bowl, stir together the garlic, mozzarella, ¼ cup Parmesan, butter, and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning until well mixed.4 cloves garlic, ½ cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese, ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- Cut about a 3-inch wide pocket into the thick side of each chicken breast (almost to the other side, but do not cut all the way through).4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Stuff ¼ of the cheese filling into each chicken breast and secure it with toothpicks. Set aside.
- Get out 3 shallow bowls for the breading station. In one bowl, mix the flour with a pinch of salt and pepper. Put the eggs in the second bowl. Mix the breadcrumbs, ¼ cup parmesan, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper together in the third.1 cup all-purpose flour, 3 large eggs, 2 cups Panko breadcrumbs, kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add enough oil to cover the bottom of the skillet.olive oil
- Dip each side of the chicken in the flour, then egg, and finally breadcrumb mixture. Place the chicken in the hot skillet and repeat until each chicken breast is breaded and cooking.
- Cook the chicken until golden brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for about 20 minutes or until the chicken is 165°F at the thickest point.
- Remove from the oven, let rest for 5 minutes, and serve.
- Chicken: Depending on the size of the chicken breasts, you may need to sear the breasts in batches. They’ll shrink as they cook, so you should be able to fit them all in the skillet for baking.
- Don’t forget to secure the chicken breasts with toothpicks! If you skip out on the toothpicks, the cheese will all melt out.
- Don’t over-stuff the chicken. If you breasts are under 6 oz., that’s okay! Just use a little less filling and bake for a shorter amount of time, until you reach 165°F.
- Searing the chicken is so important, so don’t rush it. The golden brown coloration it gets is not just for appearance, but also for flavor.
- If you don’t have a cast iron skillet, you can also bake this dish in a 9×13-inch baking pan.
Mozzarella Cheese Stuffed Chicken Recipe
Stuffed chicken recipes are some of my favorites to make for easy dinners because they’re sure to be a hit with everyone at the table. This time around, I stuffed chicken breast with a mix of mozzarella and parmesan cheese, plus plenty of garlic and Italian seasoning. Then I coated them in breadcrumbs before baking in the oven to give them a wonderful crunchy finish.
Made with just 10 ingredients in under 1 hour, it’s hard to believe this cheesy baked chicken dinner is so simple to make! Feel free to use different types of cheeses for the stuffed chicken filling, like Burrata, pecorino, or gouda.
To keep the cheese from completely melting out of stuffed chicken, I secure my chicken breasts closed with toothpicks. Also, try not to overstuff the chicken–this will help prevent everything from oozing out in the oven. Even though that sounds delicious, we want the cheese to stay inside of the chicken!
