Notes: We are currently in the development and testing stage for this air fryer stuffed chicken breast recipe. Stay tuned for more updates. If you have any tips on making this dish even better, please leave us a comment below. We appreciate your input!
Happy frying!
Table of Contents
Ingredients
- Chicken breasts
- Cream cheese
- Mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Salt and pepper
- Avocado oil
✦ You can find the exact measurements of the recipe ingredients and customize the serving size in the recipe card after the detailed step-by-step instructions section.
Possible substitutes:
You can swap mozzarella cheese for cheddar or Swiss cheese. Of course, mozzarella is still superior for this particular recipe.
Also, dried basil can work instead of fresh basil. However, you have to reduce the amount by half.
More importantly? If you have a ready-made chicken spice blend, you can use that to season the chicken. It’ll be more manageable, so that’s always a win in my book.
✦ Pro Tip: You can also make it into a breaded chicken, by following this recipe. Follow the breading recipe after stuffing the chicken breast. It requires more effort, but it’ll be absolutely worth it.
Recipe Video
Here’s a similar recipe we found on youtube by Home Eats.
How to Cook Air Fryer Stuffed Chicken Breast?
Step 1: Prepare the ingredients.
Gather your boneless, skinless chicken breasts and set them aside.
Combine the cream cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil in a small bowl. Mix until well combined. That’s your filling!
Then, mix garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper in a separate bowl. This’ll be our seasoning for the chicken breast.
Step 2: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C).
If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheating option, you can set the temperature to 400ºF (204ºC) and then let it cook for 5 minutes without food.
🚨 Important: Reduce the cooking temperature to 380°F (193°C) if you’re using a 4-quart air fryer or smaller. They are hotter due to the heating element being closer to the food.
Step 3: Stuff and seal the chicken.
Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board. Then, carefully make a horizontal cut through the thickest part of each breast, creating a pocket for the stuffing. Be sure to cut only some of the way through.
Carefully fill the cream cheese mixture into the pockets of each chicken breast, making sure to divide it equally among them. Then, seal the pockets by securing them with toothpicks.
✦ Remember how many toothpicks you used.
Drizzle a small amount of cooking oil over the surface of each chicken breast, ensuring they are well coated.
Sprinkle the prepared spice mixture evenly over the surface of each chicken breast, rubbing it gently to coat the outside.
Step 4: Air fry the Stuffed Chicken Breasts for 15 – 20 minutes.
Place the stuffed chicken breasts in air fryer, ensuring they’re not touching each other.
Air fry the chicken at 400°F (204°C) for 15 – 20 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time. Flipping ensures an evenly cooked chicken.
✦ It’s essential to keep in mind that cooking times may differ based on the model and brand of your air fryer. Ensure the chicken is cooked through and reaches a safe internal temperature of 165ºF (74ºC) before serving.
Step 5: Serve and enjoy!
Carefully remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 minutes before removing the toothpicks. Slice each chicken breasts diagonally to showcase the tantalizing filling.
Pair it with your favorite side dishes and sauce, and get ready to savor every bite!
Stuffed Chicken Breast Air Fryer Variations
Looking to switch up the flavors with the stuffed chicken breast?
Try a delicious variation with sun-dried tomatoes and mozzarella! Instead of the cream cheese mixture, stuff the chicken breasts with finely chopped sundried tomatoes and shredded mozzarella cheese.
The tangy sweetness of the sun-dried tomatoes pairs perfectly with the melted mozzarella, creating a burst of flavor in every bite.
Give it a try for a tasty twist on the classic stuffed chicken breast recipe!
Freezing and Storage
Unfortunately, this air fryer stuffed chicken breasts recipe is unsuitable for freezing. It is possible for the consistency of the cream cheese filling to be altered when it is thawed and reheated.
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the chicken in the air fryer at 350°F (177°C) for 5-7 minutes until warmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
The stuffed chicken breast takes about 15 – 20 in the air fryer at 400°F (204°C). However, cooking times may vary depending on the model and brand of the air fryer. Before serving, ensure that the chicken is cooked thoroughly and has reached a safe internal temperature.
Yes, you can absolutely cook stuffed chicken breast in the air fryer. The air fryer provides a convenient and efficient way to achieve a moist and flavorful chicken.
Yes, you can absolutely cook stuffed chicken breast in the air fryer. The air fryer provides a convenient and efficient way to achieve a moist and flavorful chicken.
The best way to stuff chicken breasts is to make a horizontal cut through the thickest part of the breast, creating a pocket for the filling. Carefully spoon the stuffing mixture into the pocket and seal it with toothpicks to prevent the filling from leaking out during cooking.
It is not necessary to pound the chicken breast before stuffing. The horizontal cut creates a pocket that allows the stuffing to be inserted without pounding.
Yes, stuffing a chicken breast can help keep it moist during cooking. The stuffing mixture adds moisture and flavor to the chicken, enhancing its juiciness and overall taste.
This ingredients checklist is interactive; you can use it as your grocery list.
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts boneless and skinless
- 1/4 cup cream cheese softened
- 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Avocado oil
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C).
- Mix the onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl.
- In a separate bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, and chopped fresh basil until well-mixed.
- Lay the chicken breasts flat on a cutting board. Then, make a horizontal cut through the thickest part of each breast, creating a pocket for the filling. Be careful to cut only some of the way through.
- Stuff the cream cheese mixture into the pocket of each chicken breast, dividing it equally. Seal the pocket with toothpicks to prevent the stuffing from leaking during cooking.
- Lightly drizzle avocado oil over the surface of each chicken breast.
- Sprinkle the spice blend evenly over the surface of each chicken breast. Rub the chicken breast gently to distribute the seasoning.
- Place the stuffed and seasoned chicken breasts in your air fryer, ensuring they’re not touching each other.
- Air fry the stuffed chicken breasts at 400°F (204°C) for 15 – 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and reads 165°F (74°C) with a meat thermometer. Flip the chicken halfway.
- Carefully remove the chicken breasts from the air fryer. Then, let them rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Remove the toothpicks and slice each stuffed chicken breast diagonally. Serve with your favorite side dishes or a fresh salad.
- Enjoy your delicious and easy-to-make air fryer stuffed chicken breast!
Notes
- Ensure chicken is fully cooked and reaches a safe internal temperature of 165ºF (74ºC) before serving.
- If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheating option, you can set the temperature to 400°F (204°C) and then let it cook for 4-5 minutes without food.
- You can skip preheating by adding 2-4 minutes to your cooking time. Increment gradually to prevent burning the stuffed chicken breast.
- I used a 6-quart (air fryer) to test the stuffed chicken breasts. Cooking time and temperature may vary depending on your air fryer and the number of servings you are making. For optimal results, begin with the lower end of the suggested cooking time.
Nutrition
Share or save this recipe for later:
Have you tried making the air fryer stuffed chicken breast recipe?
Leave us a note, and give this recipe a star rating. Good or bad, we appreciate your opinion. Let’s improve this air fryer recipe as a community!
Are you on Instagram? Share your photo and tag us at @fryitco. We can’t wait to see what you’ve made!
Or you can also subscribe to our Youtube Channel. We’re constantly uploading easy and tasty air fryer recipe videos, ASMR style.
You can also find us on Facebook & Tiktok 🙂. See you there!
Thank you for your support!
