Recipe Spotlight: Spinach and Feta Stuffed Chicken with a Twist of Dried Spinach Leaves

Elevate your dinner table with a gourmet twist on a classic dish - Spinach and Feta Stuffed Chicken infused with the rich flavours of dried spinach leaves. This recipe combines tender chicken breasts filled with a savoury mixture of spinach, creamy feta cheese, and aromatic herbs to create a delectable and wholesome meal. By incorporating high-quality ingredients like dried spinach leaves, this dish offers a unique and robust flavour profile that will impress your taste buds. Let's embark on a culinary journey and prepare this elegant stuffed chicken dish that is sure to delight your senses.

Ingredients:

- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

- 100g dried spinach leaves (rehydrated)

- 100g feta cheese, crumbled

- 2 cloves garlic, minced

- 1 tsp dried oregano

- 1 tsp dried thyme

- Salt and pepper to taste

- Olive oil for cooking

- Toothpicks or kitchen twine for securing the chicken

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) to prepare for baking the stuffed chicken later.

2. Begin by rehydrating the dried spinach leaves. Place the dried spinach leaves in a bowl and cover them with boiling water. Let the spinach rehydrate for about 5-10 minutes until softened, then drain and gently squeeze out excess liquid. Chop the rehydrated spinach finely and set aside.

3. In a separate bowl, combine the chopped spinach, crumbled feta cheese, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Mix well to incorporate all the ingredients for the stuffing. 

4. Using a sharp knife, butterfly each chicken breast by slicing horizontally through the thickest part of the breast, but not all the way through, to create a pocket for the stuffing.

5. Stuff each chicken breast with an equal amount of the spinach and feta mixture, ensuring the filling is evenly distributed within the pocket.

6. Secure the stuffed chicken breasts by sealing the edges with toothpicks or by tying with kitchen twine to prevent the filling from spilling out during cooking.

7. Heat some olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the stuffed chicken breasts and sear them on each side until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side.

8. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake the stuffed chicken for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 75°C (165°F).

9. Once cooked, remove the stuffed chicken from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving. 

10. Serve the Spinach and Feta Stuffed Chicken hot, garnished with fresh herbs or a sprinkle of dried spinach for an extra burst of flavour. Pair this delicious dish with your favourite side dishes and enjoy a satisfying meal full of savoury goodness.