Cooking With Permjit K. Sandhu 

Cooking with meat can be challenging for some, especially if you wish to delight your dinner guests with a level of sophistication and decadence. But sophistication doesn’t have to mean complicated. You can make a delicious meal that screams opulence with only a few ingredients. Chicken is always a versatile and reliable option as its texture and natural flavours can really carry a dish. In addition to sauces, soups and stews, chicken can be marinated, battered, pan-fried, wrapped in bacon, stuffed with cheeses and vegetables, and baked, to name a few. The options really are endless. 

When I first started cooking with chicken as a teenager, I was fearful that it would be undercooked. As a result, my first batches were either rubbery or charred.  I later discovered the importance of using a meat thermometer. As long as it read 165F in the thickest part of the meat, the meal was ready to be served.

Stuffed chicken breast is one of the staple dishes I like to make. It looks and tastes complex, but takes almost no time to make. The assortment of stuffings one can use is countless. One can use any variety of vegetables including bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, garlic, corn and spinach; as well as herbs (rosemary and thyme), spices and different cheeses. I love to use the different cheeses from all over the world to add a creamy richness to the dish as well as smothering it in different sauces to add an extra layer of flavour. 

This dish has been a family favorite and never disappoints. It truly represents a harmonious relationship between comfort and lavishness. 

Ingredients: 

Instructions: 

  1. Preheat oven to 450F. 

  2. Melt butter in heavy medium skillet over medium heat. 

  3. Add mushrooms and saute until tender, about 5 minutes. Cool slightly. 

  4. Blend spinach, cream cheese and chives in medium bowl. 

  5. Mix in mushrooms; season with salt and pepper. 

  6. Cut the chicken breast horizontally in half, but not all the way through so that it remains intact.

  7. Open the chicken breast, cover with plastic wrap and pound to an even thickness, about ¼” thin. 

  8. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides.  

  9. Spread 1/6 of cheese mixture between meat of each breast. 

  10. Arrange chicken breasts on a greased baking sheet. 

  11. Spread 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard over each chicken breast. 

  12. Bake chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 20 minutes.

  13. Allow the spinach and cheese stuffed chicken breast to rest for several minutes before serving. This ensures the cheeses and juices are settled.


Pro Tip: Serve with mashed potatoes, on a bed of rice or alongside your favourite salad. It serves 6 people.