Looking for a Mediterranean-inspired gourmet dinner that’s easy to whip up on a busy weeknight?

This Mozzarella-Stuffed Chicken Breast with Pesto infuses a symphony of flavors and textures that’s guaranteed to impress your family and friends. It comes together in minutes with just a few simple ingredients and is high in protein, low in carbs, and gluten-free.

Gather These Ingredients

Let’s gather these ingredients for the delicious chicken recipe:

4 boneless and skinless chicken breasts
4 tablespoons pesto (your favorite variety)
8 slices of mozzarella, cheddar, or brie
8 slices vine-ripened tomatoes or tomato sauce
1 teaspoon dried oregano (or fresh) or dried thyme
1 teaspoon sea salt or table salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 large garlic cloves or garlic powder
½ cup balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon light or dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons good quality olive oil

How to Make Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken Breast with Pesto

To make this dish, below are the following instructions:

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Butterfly each chicken breast, cutting lengthwise about ¾ of the way through to create a pocket.
For layering the filling, spread pesto evenly inside each chicken breast. Place two slices of mozzarella in the pocket and top the mozzarella with two slices of tomato.
To secure the stuffed chicken, use toothpicks to seal the chicken breasts shut. Season each breast with oregano, salt, and pepper.
Sear the chicken by heating olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken breasts for 2 minutes per side until golden.
To make the balsamic glaze, combine balsamic vinegar, sugar, and minced garlic in a bowl.
Next, transfer chicken to a baking dish and pour balsamic glaze over the chicken. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until cooked through (165°F internal temperature).
Remove toothpicks before serving. Enjoy!

How to Stop the Cheese from Leaking out When Cooking Stuffed Chicken

To prevent the mozzarella from oozing out of your stuffed chicken breasts in this recipe, you can try the following tips:

Don’t overstuff: Be sure not to overfill the chicken breasts with too much pesto and mozzarella. Leave some space for the cheese to melt without overflowing.
Secure tightly: Use toothpicks to seal the chicken breasts well. Make sure the edges are tightly closed to minimize any gaps where cheese could escape.
Chill the cheese: If you have time, chill the mozzarella slices in the freezer for a few minutes before stuffing the chicken. This will slow down the melting process during cooking.
Sear quickly: When searing the chicken breasts in the skillet, be sure to do it quickly over medium-high heat to create a golden crust. This will help seal in the filling.
Use a baking dish: Transfer the chicken breasts to a baking dish instead of cooking them directly on a baking sheet. This will create a barrier around the chicken, preventing cheese from spilling onto the bottom of the oven.
Don’t overcook: Keep a close eye on the chicken while it’s baking and avoid overcooking it. The internal temperature should reach 165°F, but if it goes much higher, the cheese will melt too much and become more likely to leak out.

You should be able to enjoy your delicious Mozzarella-Stuffed Chicken Breast with Pesto without any messy cheese leakage.

Try making this delicious dish. With minimal effort, you’ve created a restaurant-quality meal that’s sure to become a regular in your dinner rotation.