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Chicken Pockets Stuffed with Ricotta and Spinach

17/11/2023

Ricotta- and spinach-stuffed chicken pockets are a tasty and relatively simple dish to prepare. Here’s the recipe.

Ingredients

  • 4 chicken breasts
  • 200 g of ricotta
  • 150 g of fresh or frozen spinach
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Nutmeg (optional)
  • Kitchen twine or toothpicks to close the pockets

Preparation

  1. Start by cleaning the spinach. If you’re using fresh, wash them well under running water and blanch them for a couple of minutes in boiling salted water. If you’re using frozen spinach, follow the instructions on the package to defrost and heat them. In both cases, after cooking, squeeze them well to remove excess water and roughly chop them.

  2. In a pan, heat a drizzle of oil with a crushed garlic clove. Add the chopped spinach and sauté briefly to flavor them. Let them cool down.

  3. In a bowl, mix the ricotta with the spinach, season with salt and pepper, and if you like, you can grate a bit of nutmeg to enrich the flavor.

  4. Prepare the chicken breasts by slicing them in the middle to create a pocket, being careful not to break them. Season them with salt and pepper inside.

  5. Stuff the pockets with the ricotta and spinach mixture, being careful not to overfill them to prevent the filling from leaking out during cooking.

  6. Close the openings of the chicken with kitchen twine or toothpicks to ensure the filling stays inside during cooking.

  7. In a skillet, heat a drizzle of oil and cook the chicken pockets over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes per side, until they have a nice golden color and are cooked through.

  8. Once ready, let them rest for a couple of minutes and then remove the kitchen twine or toothpicks before serving.

Curiosity

In Italy, ricotta is a highly appreciated ingredient for fillings due to its creaminess and versatility. It is often also used in the preparation of stuffed pastas like ravioli and cannelloni.

I suggest pairing this dish with a light side such as a mixed salad or grilled vegetables and, if you like, a good glass of white wine. Enjoy your meal!

Chicken Pockets Stuffed with Ricotta and Spinach