A restaurant-quality dish right from your home kitchen, perfect for date night, family dinners, or just spoiling yourself.
🌟 Why You’ll Love This Dish
This recipe is where elegance meets indulgence. The chicken breasts are sliced and stuffed with a luscious mixture of garlic-butter mushrooms and gooey cheeses, then seared until golden and finished in the oven. It’s creamy, garlicky, and packed with umami—yet surprisingly easy to pull off.
The mushrooms bring an earthy depth, while the garlic butter and cheese add richness and a luxurious mouthfeel. This is the kind of dish that will have people asking for seconds—and the recipe.
🛒 Ingredients
For the Chicken:
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4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
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1 tsp salt
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1/2 tsp black pepper
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1/2 tsp paprika
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1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
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2 tbsp olive oil (for searing)
For the Garlic Butter Mushroom Filling:
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2 tbsp unsalted butter
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2 cups mushrooms (button or cremini), finely chopped
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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1/2 small onion, finely chopped
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Salt and pepper to taste
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1/4 tsp chili flakes (optional)
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1 tsp fresh thyme or 1/2 tsp dried thyme
For the Cheese Stuffing:
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1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
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1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
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1/2 cup cream cheese (softened to room temp)
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Optional: 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
For Optional Garnish:
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Fresh parsley or basil
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Extra grated cheese for topping
🍳 Equipment Needed
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Sharp knife and cutting board
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Skillet (preferably oven-safe)
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Mixing bowls
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Toothpicks or kitchen twine
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Baking dish (if not using an oven-safe skillet)
⏱️ Time Breakdown
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Prep time: 25 minutes
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Cook time: 25–30 minutes
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Total time: Approx. 55 minutes
🔪 Step-by-Step Instructions
🥄 Step 1: Prepare the Mushroom Filling
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In a skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tbsp of butter.
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Add the finely chopped mushrooms and sauté for 4–5 minutes until they release their moisture.
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Stir in the chopped onion, garlic, chili flakes (if using), and thyme. Cook for another 3–5 minutes until everything is fragrant and slightly golden.
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Season with salt and pepper to taste.
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Remove from heat and let the mixture cool slightly.
Pro Tip: Make sure the mushrooms are chopped small so they fit easily into the chicken pockets.
🧀 Step 2: Make the Cheesy Filling
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In a medium bowl, combine:
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1 cup shredded mozzarella
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1/2 cup grated Parmesan
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1/2 cup softened cream cheese
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Mix in the sautéed mushroom mixture and chopped parsley if using.
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Set aside. This becomes your stuffing.
🔪 Step 3: Prepare the Chicken Breasts
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Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels.
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Using a sharp knife, slice a pocket horizontally into each chicken breast, being careful not to cut all the way through.
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Season both sides of each breast (and inside the pocket) with salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning.
Optional Tip: If your chicken breasts are very thick, gently pound them to an even thickness using a meat mallet before slicing.
🧈 Step 4: Stuff the Chicken
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Spoon a generous amount of the cheesy mushroom mixture into each chicken pocket.
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Secure each breast with toothpicks or wrap with kitchen twine to hold the filling in while cooking.
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Don’t overstuff—just enough to fill the cavity without bursting open.
🔥 Step 5: Sear the Chicken
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Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
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Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
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Sear each stuffed chicken breast for 3–4 minutes per side, until golden brown.
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Turn off heat and transfer the skillet to the oven.
No oven-safe skillet? Simply transfer the seared chicken to a baking dish.
🔥 Step 6: Bake to Perfection
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Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
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Optional: In the last 2 minutes of baking, sprinkle extra cheese on top and broil until bubbly and golden.
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Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
🧊 Storage and Reheating
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Store: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
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Reheat: Microwave individual portions or warm in the oven at 300°F (covered) until heated through.
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Freeze: Wrap cooled, cooked breasts individually and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.
🧄 Serving Suggestions
Pair this rich chicken dish with lighter sides for balance. Here are some great options:
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Steamed or roasted broccoli
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Garlic sautéed green beans
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Mixed greens salad with balsamic vinaigrette
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Roasted asparagus or carrots
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Cauliflower rice or mashed potatoes
🧑🍳 Tips for Success
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Room temp ingredients: Let cream cheese soften and chicken come to room temperature for easier cooking.
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Secure well: Toothpicks are your best friend. Don’t let that cheesy goodness escape!
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Let it rest: Always rest meat before slicing to lock in juices and flavor.
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Experiment with cheese: Gouda, Gruyère, or provolone make delicious alternatives.
🍽️ Variations & Twists
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Spinach & Mushroom: Add chopped spinach to the mushroom mixture for a Florentine-style twist.
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Bacon-Wrapped: Wrap each breast in strips of bacon before baking for smoky, crispy decadence.
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Keto Version: Already low-carb! Just ensure your cheese choices are keto-friendly.
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Add a Sauce: Serve with a drizzle of garlic cream sauce or white wine pan sauce for extra richness.
💡 Fun Fact
Stuffing chicken is a classic culinary trick to elevate a simple protein. The practice dates back centuries, and variations exist in cuisines around the world—from cordon bleu in France to Middle Eastern stuffed poultry. This version leans into Italian and American comfort food traditions, with mushrooms, garlic, and cheese playing center stage.
📝 Final Thoughts
Cheesy Garlic Butter Mushroom Stuffed Chicken is more than just a weeknight meal—it’s an experience. The savory mushroom blend pairs beautifully with the cheeses, creating a luxurious stuffing that oozes with flavor. When encased in juicy, golden-seared chicken, the result is a show-stopping main course that’s equal parts rustic and refined.
Whether you’re cooking for loved ones, entertaining guests, or treating yourself to a flavorful homemade dinner, this dish checks every box: comforting, rich, satisfying, and downright delicious.
