Most people love the combination of broccoli cheddar, so what better way to have it than stuff it inside a juicy chicken breast? Sign me up! This easy, lower calorie broccoli cheddar stuffed chicken breast will become your favorite new weeknight meal. Simple to whip up, filling, healthy, and delicious, it hits all the marks. Flavorful chicken breast is stuffed with a mixture of cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and broccoli, and then seared and baked to perfection. Add this one to your meal plan!
What makes this recipe lower calorie?
Although the taste of this recipe is out of this world and does not taste “lightened-up” at all, there are a few swaps made in this recipe to make it lower calorie and lower fat:
- chicken breast is naturally lower in fat and calories
- reduced fat cream cheese in place of the full fat version
- fat free cheddar cheese in place of the full fat version
- chicken broth to help keep the chicken moist and juicy while cooking
What you will need to make this lower calorie broccoli cheddar stuffed chicken breast
- chicken breast (boneless, skinless)
- broccoli florets
- reduced fat cream cheese
- fat free cheddar cheese
- paprika
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- kosher salt
- chicken broth
- olive oil spray
How to make this easy, healthy recipe
Start out by preheating the oven to 375F. I recommend making this dish in a cast iron skillet, or any oven-proof skillet. Cast iron works well here.
Cut deep slits horizontally through the chicken breast, not all the way through so that it is cut in half, but deep enough to form a pocket for stuffing. Combine the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt in a small bowl, and sprinkle the seasoning all over the chicken breast evenly. In the meantime, steam the broccoli florets until tender. In another bowl, combine the cream cheese, cheddar, and steamed broccoli. Mash the mixture together until a thick paste forms. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
Add half of the cheese filling into each chicken breast. Preheat the skillet over medium high heat, and add olive oil spray. Sear the chicken for a few minutes per side. It will not be fully cooked, but will have a golden brown exterior at this point. Next, add the chicken broth to the bottom of the pan, and place the pan in the oven.
Cook for 30 minutes or until the chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165F.
Lower Calorie Broccoli Cheddar Stuffed Chicken Breast
Equipment
- cast iron skillet or oven proof skillet
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast, boneless skinless
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 cup broccoli, steamed, chopped
- 1/4 cup reduced fat cream cheese, used: Philadelphia 1/3 fat
- 1/4 cup fat free cheddar cheese, used: craft
- olive oil spray
- kosher salt and pepper
- 1 cup chicken broth
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375F.
- Cut a slit into the chicken breasts horizontally, but not fully through; just enough to create a pocket on the inside of the chicken breast.
- Combine the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and salt in a small bowl and season the chicken on all sides with the spice blend.
- Steam the broccoli (I use a microwavable pouch to make this easier).
- In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and steamed broccoli. Mash the broccoli up slightly to mix with the cheese. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Add half of the mixture to the inside of each chicken breast.
- Add olive oil spray to a cast iron skillet or oven proof skillet over medium high heat.
- Sear the chicken on all sides until a golden brown crust forms (it will not be cooked through).
- Add the broth to the skillet, and place the skillet in the oven for 30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through (165F internal temperature).
Weight Watchers
Notes
Nutrition
You might also enjoy these recipes:
Lighter Broccoli Cheddar Egg Bake
Lightened-Up Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Broccoli and Cheddar Egg Sandwiches
Healthy Cheesy Broccoli and Chicken Casserole
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Do you think the recipe would work if cottage cheese is substituted for the cream cheese?
So good, this is going to be added my rotation of dinners! I didn’t have cream cheese so I used laughing cow cheese wedges instead.
I saw this on your IG stories before the recipe was posted on your website. I knew right away I was going to make this. My husband and I both loved it!!
This was delicious and easy to make! Give it a try-you won’t be disappointed!
This was wonderful! Very easy to make and delicious! Will be part of the rotation!
Absolutely delicious, teenager and hubby devoured it. I upped the broccoli a small amount and it was enough filling for three chicken breasts! Definitely keeping this one on repeat. Thank you ☺️
Another awesome dinner! How can something that comes together so quick taste so good??? This will be on repeat for sure!
Made these last night! So easy and yummy!
So easy and so good! I will be making these again
Can this dish be made ahead and frozen?