These grilled mozzarella-stuffed chicken breasts are an easy chicken recipe that's ready in just 30 minutes. Stuffed with gooey melted cheese and pesto, they're a great way to turn boneless chicken breasts into a winning meal.
Sure, you can toss chicken breasts onto the grill, slather on some spicy peach bbq sauce, and turn out a good meal. But if you want a truly impressive grilled dinner with only a fraction more effort, make these grilled chicken breasts with mozzarella and pesto. They're juicy and tender and bursting with flavor from the melted cheese and rich pesto. Try it the next time you fire up the grill and prepare to be wowed.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It requires only three ingredients.
- It's an easy chicken recipe that's ready in just 30 minutes, making it ideal for any day of the week.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Chicken breasts--Boneless skinless chicken breasts work best here since they have ample space for stuffing. I don't recommend using thighs as it's difficult to seal the filling inside.
- Mozzarella cheese--Use firm "pizza" mozzarella, not the fresh stuff. Full-fat cheese melts more easily than low-fat, so I recommend using full-fat, if possible.
- Pesto--Use your favorite store-bought or homemade pesto. If nut allergies are a concern, I recommend making this nut-free pesto. If you've got leftovers, try one of these easy recipes that make great use of pesto.
How to Make Grilled Stuffed Chicken Breasts
- Cut a 2-inch-deep slit in the thickest part of each chicken breast.
- Stuff 3 mozzarella cubes into each slit.
- Add 2 teaspoons of pesto to each slit and seal each chicken breast with a toothpick. Season with salt and pepper.
- Grill over medium heat until cooked through. Slice and serve.
FAQs
There are a couple of things you can do to help the cheese and pesto stay put while the chicken grills. First, cut the slit in the chicken deep enough so that the cubes of cheese aren't sitting on an exposed edge.
Once you get the cheese and pesto into the chicken, fold over the edge and close it with a toothpick. I like to weave it so that it closes in a couple of spots. Lastly, don't panic if a little bit leaks out. It's normal and there will still be plenty of cheesy goodness to enjoy.
Crispy smashed potatoes and a grilled avocado and tomato salad or a salad of grilled beets and goat cheese are excellent accompaniments to round out your meal.
Tips and Troubleshooting
- When checking the internal temperature of the chicken, poke it in a few places to make sure you're measuring the meat and not the cheese or pesto.
- This mozzarella stuffed chicken breast recipe is suitable for gluten-free diets.
More Grilled Chicken Recipes You'll Love
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Recipe
Grilled Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken Breast
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 ½ ounces mozzarella cheese cut into 12 (1-inch) cubes
- 3 tablespoons pesto
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat a grill for medium heat (375°F).
- Slice a 2-inch deep slit into the side of each chicken breast, taking care not to cut all the way through.
- Place 3 mozzarella cubes inside each slit.
- Add 2 teaspoons pesto to each slit and close each breast using a toothpick.
- Season all over with salt and pepper.
- Grill the chicken, flipping once, until cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F, 10 to 12 minutes per side. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Checking for doneness--When checking the internal temperature of the chicken, poke it in a few places to make sure you're measuring the meat and not the cheese or pesto.
- Dietary--This recipe is suitable for gluten-free diets.
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