Juicy Air Fried Chicken with a Spinach Filling

This Air Fryer Stuffed Chicken recipe is the epitome of convenience and flavor. In just 20 minutes, you can prepare juicy chicken breasts stuffed with a creamy spinach, cream cheese, and garlic filling, all cooked to perfection in the air fryer. This restaurant-quality dish is quick to make and incredibly satisfying.

A Family Favorite

Chicken is a versatile and universally loved protein in our house. Whether grilled, baked, or air-fried, it’s easy to adapt to various recipes. This particular dish, stuffed chicken in the air fryer, takes chicken to the next level, combining the ease of air frying with the rich, creamy goodness of a spinach and cream cheese stuffing.

Cooking chicken in the air fryer ensures an even cook, keeping the meat tender and juicy while getting a slight crisp on the outside. It’s like a magic trick that requires no extra effort, making this a perfect weeknight dinner or special occasion meal.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts – These are ideal for stuffing and cook well in the air fryer.
Olive Oil – A bit of oil adds flavor and helps with even cooking.
Seasonings – A blend of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt makes a simple yet delicious chicken seasoning.
Cream Cheese – Adds a rich, creamy texture to the stuffing.
Shredded Parmesan – For a bit of sharpness and extra creaminess.
Mayonnaise – Just a spoonful helps make the filling smooth and velvety, without adding a mayo flavor.
Fresh Baby Spinach – Preferably fresh, though frozen works too (just be sure to drain it well).
Garlic – Fresh garlic enhances the overall flavor.
Red Pepper Flakes – Optional, but these can balance out the richness of the cream cheese mixture with a hint of heat.

How to Make Air Fryer Stuffed Chicken

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Start by cutting a pocket into the side of each chicken breast. Hold the chicken steady with one hand while carefully slicing through the thick part of the breast with a sharp knife. Be sure not to cut all the way through. This will create a pocket for the creamy filling. For a visual guide, check out our recipe video.

Step 2: Season the Chicken Drizzle olive oil over both sides of the chicken breasts. In a small bowl, combine paprika, salt, garlic powder, and onion powder. Sprinkle this seasoning mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken for a flavorful crust.

Step 3: Prepare the Filling In a mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, shredded Parmesan, mayonnaise, spinach, garlic, red pepper flakes, and a pinch of salt. Stir everything together until well incorporated. This creamy mixture is the perfect stuffing for your chicken.

Step 4: Stuff the Chicken Carefully spoon the creamy spinach mixture into the pocket of each chicken breast, ensuring they are well stuffed. Don’t overstuff, as the filling may spill out during cooking.

Step 5: Cook the Chicken Preheat your air fryer and brush or spray the basket with oil to prevent sticking. Place the stuffed chicken breasts in the air fryer, making sure they are spaced evenly apart. Set the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and cook for 15-20 minutes, depending on the size of your chicken breasts.

Step 6: Check for Doneness Always use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). Insert the thermometer into the meat, not the filling, to get an accurate reading. If the chicken isn’t quite done, continue cooking for a few more minutes.

Serving Suggestions

This air fryer stuffed chicken is a meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides. Serve it with a fresh side salad, roasted potatoes, or sautéed vegetables for a low-carb, healthy meal. You could even add some garlic bread or a light soup to round out the dinner.

Enjoy your restaurant-quality stuffed chicken, ready in just 20 minutes!

This simple and flavorful dish is perfect for busy nights or a dinner party when you want to impress without spending hours in the kitchen. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just getting started, this recipe guarantees a delicious meal with minimal effort.

Air Fryer Stuffed Chicken

Course: Chicken
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4

We stuffed these chicken breasts with a creamy spinach filling and cooked them to perfection in the air fryer!

Ingredients:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 1/2 cups chopped fresh spinach
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)

Instructions:

Prepare the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to cut a pocket into the side of each chicken breast.
Season the Chicken: Drizzle olive oil over both sides of the chicken breasts. In a small bowl, combine paprika, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, garlic powder, and onion powder. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken.
Make the Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, grated Parmesan, mayonnaise, chopped spinach, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Stir until the mixture is well combined.
Stuff the Chicken: Spoon the creamy spinach mixture into the pocket of each chicken breast.
Cook in the Air Fryer: Place the stuffed chicken breasts in a greased air fryer basket in a single layer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches. While cooking the next batch, keep the cooked chicken covered with foil in a low oven to stay warm.
Air Fry: Set the air fryer to 375°F and cook for 15-20 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads 165°F in the thickest part of the chicken.