If you’re on a keto diet and looking for a recipe that feels fancy but is surprisingly easy, this spinach and ricotta stuffed chicken is going to become your new go-to meal. Tender, juicy chicken breast, filled with creamy ricotta, garlicky spinach, and just the right amount of herbs—every bite is bursting with flavor. Plus, it’s low in carbs, high in protein, and perfect for meal prep or even a special dinner.
Let’s get into it—no fluff, no fancy chef talk, just a straightforward recipe that’ll make your taste buds happy!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Low-carb, high-flavor: Each stuffed chicken breast has less than 5g of net carbs, making it ideal for keto dieters.
- Super easy to make: You don’t need any crazy skills—just some basic kitchen tools and a few ingredients.
- Meal-prep friendly: You can prep the filling ahead of time and store leftovers for lunch the next day.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what you’ll need for this mouthwatering keto recipe:
For the chicken:
- 4 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for searing)
For the filling:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 ½ cups fresh spinach, chopped
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano (optional)
- ½ teaspoon chili flakes (if you want a little kick)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prep the chicken
First, grab your chicken breasts. You’ll want to butterfly them, which means cutting them almost in half horizontally but not all the way through, so they open up like a book. This creates a nice pocket for stuffing.
Once butterflied, season the inside and outside of each chicken breast with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Don’t skip this part—seasoning makes a world of difference in flavor! Set the chicken aside while you prepare the filling.
Step 2: Make the filling
In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, chopped spinach, grated Parmesan, minced garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, and chili flakes. Mix everything well until it forms a creamy, slightly green mixture.
Pro tip: If your spinach seems a bit too moist, you can quickly sauté it for 2–3 minutes to cook off any extra water before mixing it with the ricotta. This step isn’t necessary, but it helps prevent the filling from becoming runny during baking.
Step 3: Stuff the chicken
Take a spoonful of the ricotta and spinach mixture and carefully stuff it into each butterflied chicken breast. Don’t overfill—just enough so you can close the chicken without the filling spilling out too much.
If you’re worried about the filling oozing out during cooking, you can secure the edges with toothpicks. Just remember to remove them before serving!
Step 4: Sear the chicken
Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. Once hot, place the stuffed chicken breasts in the pan. Sear them for about 3–4 minutes per side, until they’re golden brown. This step helps lock in the juices and adds a nice crust to the chicken.
Step 5: Bake to perfection
After searing, transfer the skillet to a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C). Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (75°C). If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, just transfer the chicken to a baking dish before putting it in the oven.
If you want a little extra cheesy goodness, sprinkle some mozzarella on top of the chicken for the last 5 minutes of baking.
Serving Suggestions
This keto spinach and ricotta stuffed chicken pairs well with a variety of low-carb sides. Here are a few ideas:
- Cauliflower mash: Creamy and buttery, it’s the perfect alternative to mashed potatoes.
- Zucchini noodles: Light and fresh, they soak up any extra juices from the chicken beautifully.
- Roasted broccoli: Toss some broccoli florets in olive oil, salt, and pepper, then roast them until crispy.
- Simple side salad: A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette adds a refreshing balance to the richness of the stuffed chicken.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Got leftovers? Lucky you! This dish reheats well, so don’t let any go to waste.
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: You can also freeze the stuffed chicken for up to 2 months. Just make sure to wrap it tightly in foil or plastic wrap before freezing.
- Reheating: To keep the chicken moist, reheat it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10–15 minutes, or until warmed through. You can also microwave it, but cover it with a damp paper towel to prevent drying out.
Keto Tips and Variations
- Want more cheese?
If you’re a cheese lover, feel free to add shredded mozzarella or cheddar to the filling. It makes the stuffing even richer and gooey. - Add bacon for extra flavor
Wrap each stuffed chicken breast in bacon before baking for an extra layer of smoky goodness. Just reduce the searing time slightly, as the bacon will crisp up in the oven. - Mix up the herbs
Fresh basil or parsley can be added to the filling for a burst of fresh flavor. If you love Italian flavors, go heavy on the oregano and maybe add a pinch of thyme. - Use chicken thighs
If you’re more of a dark meat fan, you can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts. Just note that the cooking time may be slightly shorter.
Conclusions
There’s something incredibly satisfying about making a meal that looks like it took hours but actually comes together in under an hour. This keto spinach and ricotta stuffed chicken ticks all the right boxes—easy, delicious, and perfect for any night of the week. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or impressing dinner guests, this recipe is sure to be a hit.
Try it out tonight, and you’ll see why it’s one of those dishes you’ll keep coming back to. Plus, it’s versatile enough that you can tweak it to suit your taste without much fuss.
Let us know how yours turns out! Have fun cooking, and don’t forget—good food doesn’t need to be complicated. Just tasty.
If you loved this recipe, be sure to save it to your favorite board so you can whip it up anytime you’re in the mood for something cheesy, creamy, and keto-friendly! 🥘
PrintKeto Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Chicken Recipe
Juicy chicken breasts stuffed with creamy ricotta, fresh spinach, and garlic—this easy keto recipe is packed with flavor and perfect for a low-carb dinner or lunch. Great for meal prep or family meals, it’s simple to make and totally satisfying!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Keto, Low-Carb
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
For the chicken:
- 4 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tbsp olive oil
For the filling:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 ½ cups fresh spinach, chopped
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp dried oregano (optional)
- ½ tsp chili flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken:
Butterfly each chicken breast by cutting it almost in half horizontally but not all the way through. Season both sides of the chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. - Make the filling:
In a bowl, mix the ricotta, chopped spinach, Parmesan, minced garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, and chili flakes until combined. - Stuff the chicken:
Spoon the ricotta mixture into each butterflied chicken breast. Close the chicken, and if needed, secure the edges with toothpicks. - Sear the chicken:
Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add the stuffed chicken breasts and sear for 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown. - Bake the chicken:
Transfer the skillet to a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). Remove from the oven, let rest for 5 minutes, then serve.
Notes
- If using frozen spinach, thaw and squeeze out excess water before mixing with ricotta.
- For extra flavor, add shredded mozzarella to the filling or sprinkle on top during the last 5 minutes of baking.
- Toothpicks help keep the filling in place but remember to remove them before serving!
Please note: The recipe or ingredients shown in the video might vary slightly from what’s listed here. Use the video as an illustration, but for the best results, you might want to stick to the recipe provided in this article.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed chicken breast
- Calories: 330 Sugar: 1g Sodium: 520mg Fat: 18g Saturated Fat: 8g Unsaturated Fat: 9g Trans Fat: 0g Carbohydrates: 4g Fiber: 1g Protein: 36g Cholesterol: 100mg
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I make this dish dairy-free?
Yes! You can swap out the ricotta for a dairy-free ricotta alternative and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan. Just make sure your dairy-free cheese melts well.
How do I know when the chicken is cooked?
The easiest way is to use a meat thermometer. Chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, cut into the thickest part of the chicken—it should be white and opaque, with no pink remaining.
Can I use frozen spinach?
Absolutely! Just thaw the spinach first and squeeze out any excess water before mixing it with the ricotta. This step is key to preventing a watery filling.