Spinach & Feta Stuffed Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomato Rice

Spinach & Feta Stuffed Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomato Rice

Mia

This elegant yet approachable Mediterranean-inspired dish transforms simple chicken breasts into a restaurant-worthy meal that's both nutritious and deeply satisfying. Each chicken breast is carefully butterflied to create a pocket that's generously filled with a vibrant mixture of wilted spinach, crumbled feta cheese, and aromatic garlic—a classic Greek flavor combination that never disappoints.

The stuffed chicken is then pan-seared to golden perfection before finishing in the oven, ensuring juicy, tender meat with a beautiful caramelized exterior. As the chicken roasts, the feta becomes wonderfully creamy while the spinach infuses the meat with its earthy flavor. The result is a dish where every slice reveals layers of melted cheese and verdant greens.

Complementing the chicken is a bed of nutty brown rice studded with sun-dried tomatoes, which add bursts of sweet-tart intensity and a gorgeous ruby color throughout. The rice absorbs the flavors of garlic and herbs, creating a side dish substantial enough to stand on its own. Together, this combination delivers the heart-healthy fats, lean protein, and whole grains that define the Mediterranean diet.

Perfect for a weeknight dinner that feels special or for entertaining guests, this recipe proves that eating well doesn't mean sacrificing flavor. The vibrant colors, aromatic herbs, and satisfying textures make this a meal you'll return to again and again.

Nutrition

50 minutes
None servings
485 calories
Fat 16.00g
Carbs 42.00g
Protein 45.00g

Ingredients

4 piecesboneless, skinless chicken breasts, about 6 oz each
4 cupsfresh spinach, roughly chopped
6 ozfeta cheese, crumbled
4 clovesgarlic, minced, divided
3 tbspextra virgin olive oil, divided
1.5 cupsbrown rice, uncooked
3 cupslow-sodium chicken broth
1/2 cupsun-dried tomatoes, chopped
1 tspdried oregano
1 wholelemon, zested and juiced
1 tspsalt
1/2 tspblack pepper, freshly ground
2 tbspfresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Equipment

Mixing bowl
Cutting board
wooden spoon or spatula
medium saucepan with lid
paper towels
fork
meat thermometer
measuring cups and spoons
sharp knife
large oven-safe skillet

16:8 Diet

This nutrient-dense meal is perfect for the 16:8 eating window, providing sustained energy through lean protein, complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, and abundant vegetables. The balanced macronutrients and whole food ingredients help practitioners meet their daily nutritional needs while promoting satiety throughout the fasting period.

80/20 Diet

This recipe perfectly embodies the 80/20 principle with over 80% of ingredients being nutrient-dense whole foods: lean chicken, spinach, brown rice, sun-dried tomatoes, and olive oil, while the feta cheese and minimal salt represent the flexible 20%. The dish is anti-inflammatory, fiber-rich, and packed with vitamins and minerals.

Clean Eating

This recipe is perfect for clean eating with its whole, minimally processed ingredients including fresh chicken breast, spinach, brown rice, sun-dried tomatoes, and feta cheese. Every ingredient is recognizable in its natural form with no artificial additives, preservatives, or refined ingredients, using simple cooking methods that preserve nutritional integrity.

DASH Diet

This recipe aligns perfectly with DASH Diet principles by using low-sodium chicken broth, lean skinless chicken breast, whole grain brown rice, and abundant vegetables while minimizing added salt. The dish is rich in potassium, calcium, and magnesium from spinach and provides heart-healthy fats from olive oil, with herbs and spices used for flavor instead of excessive sodium.

Diabetic Diet

This recipe is diabetic-friendly with its emphasis on low-glycemic brown rice, lean protein from chicken that helps stabilize blood sugar, and non-starchy vegetables like spinach. The balanced macronutrients, controlled portions, and absence of refined sugars or high-glycemic ingredients make it suitable for blood sugar management.

Gluten-Free Diet

This recipe is naturally gluten-free, using brown rice as the grain base and featuring whole food ingredients like chicken, spinach, feta, and sun-dried tomatoes without any wheat, barley, rye, or gluten-containing additives. All components are naturally gluten-free when using certified gluten-free chicken broth.

Heart-Healthy Diet

This recipe is excellent for heart health, featuring lean skinless chicken breast, heart-healthy olive oil, whole grain brown rice, and spinach rich in potassium and magnesium. The dish is low in saturated fat, uses low-sodium broth, and avoids processed ingredients while providing omega-3s and antioxidants that support cardiovascular wellness.

High-Fiber Diet

This recipe provides excellent fiber content from brown rice, fresh spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes, delivering approximately 6-8 grams of fiber per serving. The combination of whole grain rice and abundant vegetables supports digestive health while keeping the meal satisfying and nutritionally balanced.

High-Protein Diet

This recipe delivers substantial protein with 6 oz chicken breast per serving (approximately 40+ grams of protein), supplemented by protein from feta cheese. The lean chicken breast is the star of the dish, providing high-quality protein to support muscle maintenance and satiety while being complemented by nutrient-dense vegetables and whole grains.

IIFYM (If It Fits Your Macros)

This recipe is ideal for macro tracking with clearly portioned ingredients providing balanced macronutrients: lean protein from chicken breast, complex carbohydrates from brown rice, and healthy fats from olive oil and feta. The whole food ingredients make it easy to calculate accurate macros while providing satisfying portions that fit various macro targets.

Intermittent Fasting

This nutrient-dense meal is ideal for eating windows during intermittent fasting, providing high-quality lean protein from chicken, complex carbohydrates from brown rice, healthy fats from olive oil and feta, and abundant vitamins from spinach. The balanced macronutrients and whole food ingredients promote satiety and stable blood sugar levels throughout fasting periods.

Intuitive Eating

This recipe supports intuitive eating principles by offering a satisfying, flavorful meal that honors both taste preferences and gentle nutrition without restriction or guilt. The combination of textures, colors, and Mediterranean flavors creates an enjoyable eating experience that respects hunger cues and provides balanced nourishment.

Mayo Clinic Diet

This recipe exemplifies Mayo Clinic Diet principles with its emphasis on lean protein, whole grain brown rice, abundant vegetables, and healthy fats from olive oil in appropriate portions. The dish avoids processed foods and refined grains while providing a nutrient-dense, balanced meal that supports sustainable weight management and overall health.

Mediterranean Diet

This recipe is a quintessential Mediterranean dish featuring extra virgin olive oil, whole grain brown rice, lean chicken breast, fresh spinach, feta cheese in moderation, and sun-dried tomatoes. It emphasizes the diet's core principles of heart-healthy fats, whole grains, vegetables, herbs, and lean protein while avoiding processed ingredients and using lemon and garlic for natural flavoring.

MIND Diet

This recipe supports brain health through MIND Diet principles by featuring leafy greens (spinach), whole grains (brown rice), poultry, olive oil as the primary fat, and herbs for flavoring. It avoids the diet's restricted foods like red meat, butter, and fried ingredients while emphasizing nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory ingredients that support cognitive function.

Mindful Eating

This recipe is excellent for mindful eating with its variety of textures (tender chicken, creamy feta, earthy spinach, chewy rice), vibrant colors, and aromatic herbs that engage multiple senses. The whole food ingredients and layered flavors encourage slow, conscious consumption and sensory appreciation of each component.

Weight Watchers

This Weight Watchers-friendly recipe emphasizes lean skinless chicken breast, nutrient-dense vegetables like spinach, and whole grain brown rice while using minimal added fats. The dish is satisfying and flavorful without relying on processed ingredients or excessive fats, making it an excellent choice for sustainable weight management.

Instructions

1

Preheat your oven to 375°F.

2
1 min

In a medium saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add half of the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.

3
2 min

Add the brown rice to the saucepan and stir to coat with the oil and garlic, toasting for 1-2 minutes.

4
45 min

Pour in the chicken broth and add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes, half of the oregano, and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 40-45 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.

5
1 min

While the rice cooks, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the remaining garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.

6
4 min

Add the chopped spinach to the skillet and cook, stirring frequently, until completely wilted, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

7

Transfer the cooked spinach to a bowl and mix in the crumbled feta cheese, lemon zest, and half of the lemon juice. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.

8

Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Using a sharp knife, carefully butterfly each chicken breast by slicing horizontally through the middle, stopping about 1/2 inch from the edge so it opens like a book.

5 min
9

Season both sides of each butterflied chicken breast with salt, pepper, and the remaining oregano.

10

Divide the spinach and feta mixture evenly among the four chicken breasts, spreading it on one half of each butterflied breast. Fold the other half over to close, pressing gently.

2 min
11

Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.

1 min
12
8 min

Add the stuffed chicken breasts to the hot skillet and sear for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown.

13

Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

18 min
14

Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

5 min
15

Fluff the finished rice with a fork and stir in the remaining lemon juice.

16

Serve each chicken breast over a portion of sun-dried tomato rice. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Frequently Asked Questions