Mozzarella and Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breasts

I have to admit, it is hard to find a good, fast recipe to cook during the week or even a quick dinner on the weekend.  One of my favorite chicken dishes is Chicken Cordon Bleu.  Because I am trying to be mindful and not eating as much fried food as I do, I thought of stuffing chicken with spinach and cheese and baking it in the oven rather then frying it.  So, I took a look in the fridge to see what else I had in the fridge, and here is what I came up with.

Ingredients;

4 boneless chicken breasts
salt and pepper
1 Tbsp olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 bunch of fresh spinach, rinsed and stems trimmed
1/8 c of roasted red peppers, chopped into cubes
1/4 lb fresh mozzarella, sliced
4 Tbsp Parmesan Romano cheese
4 Tbsp Dijon mustard

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
First start by tenderizing the meat.  Usually place a layer of plastic wrap on top so the juice from the chicken does not get all over the place.

Tenderize each piece, sprinkling with salt and pepper.  Set aside.

In a large saute pan, heat oil, add garlic and saute garlic for 2-3 minutes on medium high heat.  Once the garlic is beginning to brown, add the chopped red peppers, sauteing for another 2 minutes.

Add the spinach, and immediately cover.

Add 2 tablespoons of water and cook for a few minutes until the spinach is wilted and cooked.

Remove the contents of the pan onto a cooking board, and chop the spinach, red peppers and garlic.

Set the spinach mixture aside.
Top some of the spinach mixture on top of the chicken breast, sprinkle with grated Romano cheese and a slice of mozzarella.

Roll the chicken breast, and insert a toothpick to hold the chicken together.   Seal the sides, tucking in the spinach and cheese as much as possible with additional toothpicks.

Repeat with the remaining chicken breasts.  Place all the chicken in a glass dish.

Brush the chicken with Dijon mustard and bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes.

TIP: As a quick side, toss some potatoes with olive oil, salt, pepper, minced garlic, fresh thyme and rosemary.  Bake in the oven with the chicken.

Thyme 2 Taste...

TIP: If you don't like roasted red peppers, try mushrooms or something else that you prefer.