This recipe has been on rotation in our house for years, but I recently started making it in my new air fryer. Air fried or baked, it’s always a crowd pleaser. Serve it with fries or mashed potatoes. My personal fave is mashed sweet potatoes (which, by the way, you can get in the freezer section at Trader Joe’s now if you want a shortcut!), but my kids are not fans of the “orange potato,” so I often make regular mashed potatoes for them. My Roasted Asparagus with Lemon and Feta is also a great side for this meal!
Broccoli Cheddar Stuffed Chicken
Ingredients
2 chicken breasts
2 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup cooked, chopped broccoli
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup whole wheat bread crumbs
1/2 cup Panko
1 tsp garlic salt
1/2 tsp onion powder
1 egg, lightly beaten
Toothpicks
Instructions
Heat an air fryer to 375 degrees.
Carefully cut a pocket lengthwise down the side of the chicken breast, being careful not to cut all the way through. This will create the pocket for the broccoli cheese filling. (If your chicken breasts are really thick, pound them out a little before cutting the pocket).
Using a fork, mash together the cream cheese, broccoli, and shredded cheddar cheese until well combined.
In a flat dish, mix together the whole wheat bread crumbs, panko, garlic salt, and onion powder.
In a wide bowl, lightly beat the egg.
Stuff the broccoli cheese mixture into the pocket you cut in the chicken. Use toothpicks to secure if necessary. Dip all sides of the stuffed chicken breast into the egg, then into the breadcrumb mixture.
Place the stuffed and breaded chicken breasts into the air fryer. Cook for 10 minutes, then flip and cook for 7 more minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temp of 165 degrees.
Notes
This recipe can also be made in the oven. Place a baking rack on a cookie sheet or sheet pan. Place the chicken on the baking rack and bake at 400 for 30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.