There’s something so comforting about the combination of tender chicken wrapped around creamy cheese and vibrant broccoli. This Stuffed Chicken Breast with Broccoli and Cheddar Recipe delivers all that cozy goodness with a touch of freshness and just the right amount of melty sharpness. It’s a perfect way to turn simple ingredients into a dish that feels like a little celebration every time you serve it.

On a white plate with a decorative dark rim, there is one thick piece of cooked chicken with a slightly browned, golden outer layer covered in a creamy sauce with small red and green bits, sprinkled with chopped fresh herbs. To the right of the chicken is a generous scoop of creamy mashed potatoes topped with a small pat of melting butter and black pepper, sprinkled with green herbs. Below the chicken and potatoes, a small bunch of bright green cooked asparagus spears are arranged next to a gold fork that has a bit of mashed potato on it. The plate is held by a woman's hand against a white marbled surface photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Stuffed Chicken Breast with Broccoli and Cheddar Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Stuffed Chicken Breast with Broccoli and Cheddar Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Stuffed Chicken Breast with Broccoli and Cheddar Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I honestly can’t stop making this recipe when I want something that feels special but isn’t fussy. It’s one of those dishes that wows guests yet is totally doable on a weeknight. The balance between the rich cheddar, delicate cream cheese, and tender broccoli stuffed inside juicy chicken breasts is magic.

Flavor combo that wins: Broccoli and cheddar work beautifully together, with the cream cheese bringing everything into a silky, luscious filling.
Impress without stress: This recipe looks fancy enough for company but is straightforward to prepare—a real kitchen confidence booster.
Customizable comfort: You can swap herbs or add your favorite veggies without losing the essence of that rich, cheesy center.
Great texture contrast: The seared outside of the chicken paired with the soft, creamy filling hits all the right notes in every bite.

Four stuffed chicken breasts sit in a black cast iron skillet on a white marbled surface. Each chicken breast is golden brown with a crispy, slightly charred outer layer, topped with small green herb pieces. The inside layers of the chicken breast reveal a creamy filling mixed with small pieces of red and green vegetables, creating a colorful contrast. The skillet contains a light brown, creamy sauce that surrounds the chicken breasts, adding a glossy shine to the dish. A metal spatula, lifting one breast, highlights the thick, rich texture of the filling. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient plays its part here—whether it’s adding flavor, texture, or that cheesy gooeyness you crave. When you pick fresh broccoli and good-quality sharp cheddar, you’re setting yourself up for success. Here’s why they all come together perfectly:

Flat lay of four medium raw chicken breasts, a small mound of fresh small chopped broccoli florets, a heaping pile of freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese, a block of softened cream cheese, finely diced red bell pepper pieces, crispy chopped cooked bacon strips, dried parsley, dried chives, and dried dill herbs in small neat piles, a small white ceramic bowl of golden olive oil, a small white ceramic bowl of low sodium chicken broth, a small white ceramic bowl with mixed garlic powder, salt, onion powder, paprika, and pepper, and four whole clean uncracked brown eggs, all arranged symmetrically and balanced on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Chicken breasts: Tender and mild, perfect as a vessel to carry the flavorful filling.
Broccoli florets: Steamed just enough to stay vibrant and add a fresh, slightly crunchy contrast.
Sharp cheddar cheese: Provides a rich, tangy depth that melts beautifully inside the chicken.
Cream cheese: Creates a creamy, smooth texture that binds all filling ingredients perfectly.
Red bell pepper: Adds color, sweetness, and crunch to the mix.
Cooked bacon: Brings a smoky, salty note that takes the filling to the next level.
Olive oil: For searing and locking in moisture while adding subtle fruitiness.
Chicken broth: Helps keep the chicken juicy during baking and adds a subtle savory note.
Spice rub (garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper): Gives the chicken a beautiful seasoned crust and boosts overall flavor.
Dried herbs (parsley, chives, dill): Bring aromatic freshness and a hint of color in the filling.

📝

Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I like to think of this Stuffed Chicken Breast with Broccoli and Cheddar Recipe as a base for your creativity. Over time, I’ve played with adding different cheeses or swapping out broccoli for spinach, and honestly, it’s all been delicious. I encourage you to try what you love and make it your own.

Variation: I’ve swapped cheddar for mozzarella or pepper jack when I want a milder or spicier kick, and it works great!
Make it lighter: Using low-fat cream cheese or skipping the bacon still keeps it tasty but trims some calories.
Increase the veggie factor: Feel free to toss in some sautéed mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, or kale for added nutrients and texture.
Gluten-free tweak: Since there’s no breading, this recipe is naturally gluten-free, which is a total win for many folks.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Stuffed Chicken Breast with Broccoli and Cheddar Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Steam the Broccoli Just Right

Start by steaming your chopped broccoli with a little water in the microwave, covered with a damp paper towel. This keeps the florets bright green and just tender, which is key because you want a bit of crunch inside the filling. Drain any excess water after steaming so your filling isn’t watery. This step might seem small, but I’ve learned it makes all the difference in texture and flavor.

Step 2: Mix the Filling with Flavor and Care

Combine the softened cream cheese with the shredded cheddar, diced red bell pepper, cooked bacon, and dried herbs. Don’t forget to add a teaspoon of that awesome spice rub you whisked up! Mix everything gently until it’s creamy but still chunky with the broccoli. From experience, you don’t want to overmix — those little bits of bell pepper and bacon add lovely bursts of flavor and texture.

Step 3: Tenderize and Create a Perfect Pocket

Lay each chicken breast on a cutting board and gently pound them to an even thickness with a mallet or the side of a can — just a few slow taps will do. Keeping that chicken evenly thick ensures it cooks perfectly without drying out. Then carefully slice a pocket horizontally, like a deep “butterfly cut” but don’t slice all the way through! This is where your filling will cozy up inside.

Step 4: Stuff and Secure Your Chicken

Using your hands (they really are the best tool here), gently squeeze the filling and push it inside each pocket. If you find the filling trying to escape, toothpicks are your best friends—they keep everything nice and neat while cooking. Trust me, this little trick helps the presentation and makes serving a breeze.

Step 5: Season, Sear, and Roast to Perfection

Sprinkle your spice rub all over the outside of the stuffed chicken breasts, patting it in so it sticks well. Heat your skillet until it’s almost smoking, add the olive oil, and sear the chicken for about 2-3 minutes per side. This step builds incredible flavor and a golden crust you’ll love. Then add the broth to the pan, cover, and transfer to the oven to finish baking until the chicken hits 160°F internally. Let it rest before serving to keep juices locked in.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned that a few small tweaks can elevate this Stuffed Chicken Breast with Broccoli and Cheddar Recipe from great to unforgettable. Here are my go-to tips that help guarantee success every single time:

Don’t skip the pounding: This evens out the chicken thickness so it cooks uniformly—no dry edges or raw centers.
Use a meat thermometer: Chicken can go from juicy to dry fast. Pull it at 160°F, then let it rest to reach the perfect 165°F.
Microwave broccoli just right: Too long and it turns mushy, too short and it’s tough—two minutes usually hits the sweet spot.
Secure with toothpicks if needed: Keeps the filling intact during cooking and makes serving neater.

How to Serve Stuffed Chicken Breast with Broccoli and Cheddar Recipe

Stuffed Chicken Breast - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love sprinkling a little freshly chopped parsley or chives over the finished chicken. It adds a pop of color and a fresh herbal note that brightens the richness. Sometimes I grate a tiny bit of extra sharp cheddar on top right before serving for a little cheese boost.

Side Dishes

Mashed potatoes are my go-to—they soak up every bit of the cheesy goodness like a dream. Roasted garlic green beans or a crisp Caesar salad bring a nice balance to the meal. Even simple buttered noodles or steamed rice complement the dish beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For dinner parties, I love slicing the stuffed chicken breasts crosswise into medallions and fanning them out on a platter with a drizzle of pan juices. It makes for an elegant presentation and lets guests see all those beautiful layers of cheese, broccoli, and bacon inside.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They typically keep well for up to 3 days. I find that the flavors seem to even deepen after resting, making for a really tasty lunch or dinner the next day.

Freezing

This Stuffed Chicken Breast with Broccoli and Cheddar Recipe freezes surprisingly well. Wrap each stuffed breast tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container or bag. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge before cooking as directed. Just be mindful that the cooking time might need a few extra minutes if the chicken is chilled.

Reheating

To keep the chicken juicy when reheating, I like to warm it gently in a skillet with a splash of chicken broth over medium-low heat, covered. This method keeps the filling melty and the chicken tender without drying it out like a microwave sometimes can.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen broccoli in this Stuffed Chicken Breast with Broccoli and Cheddar Recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen broccoli, but I recommend thawing and draining it very well to avoid excess moisture in the filling. Steaming frozen broccoli gently before adding it to the filling works best to ensure it doesn’t become mushy.

Is it necessary to use a meat thermometer for this recipe?

While not absolutely required, I strongly recommend using a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches the safe internal temperature of 160°F before resting. It helps you avoid overcooking, which can dry out the breast, and keeps the filling perfectly warm and melty.

Can I prepare the Stuffed Chicken Breast with Broccoli and Cheddar Recipe ahead of time?

Definitely! You can prepare and stuff the chicken breasts up to 24 hours ahead. Just keep them refrigerated in an airtight container and take them out about 20 minutes before cooking to take the chill off. This helps with even cooking and a better sear.

What can I serve with this stuffed chicken for a complete meal?

Mashed potatoes or buttery noodles are my favorites to soak up the cheesy filling and pan juices. Roasted or steamed veggies like green beans or carrots add nice color and crunch, while a crisp salad keeps things light and fresh alongside the rich chicken.

Final Thoughts

This Stuffed Chicken Breast with Broccoli and Cheddar Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen rotation because it’s the perfect blend of delicious and doable. It’s the kind of recipe I trust to make weeknight dinners feel a bit more gourmet without adding stress. Seriously, if you make it once, I have a feeling you’ll find yourself coming back to it whenever you want comfort food that hits those rich, fresh, cheesy notes all at once. Give it a try — your taste buds will thank you!