Elegant Florentine Stuffed Chicken Breast with Garlic Herb Mash and Bourbon Garlic Green Beans

Tender chicken breast filled with a rich Florentine-style stuffing creates a dish that feels both elegant and comforting. This recipe combines seasoned spinach, artichokes, and blended cheeses inside hand-cut chicken breasts, seared to lock in flavor, then finished in the oven. A silky roasted garlic and herb white wine cream sauce tops each breast, bringing warm Tuscan flavors to every bite. Paired with creamy garlic herb mashed potatoes and bourbon garlic green beans, this meal offers a restaurant-quality experience with a homemade touch.

Florentine stuffed chicken breast with garlic herb cream sauce

Ingredients

For the Florentine Stuffed Chicken Breast

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

• 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped

• 1/2 cup marinated artichoke hearts, chopped

• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme)

  
  

For the Roasted Garlic and Herb White Wine Cream Sauce

• 4 cloves roasted garlic (see note below)

• 1 cup heavy cream

• 1/2 cup dry white wine

• 1 tablespoon butter

• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

• Salt and pepper to taste

  
  

For the Garlic Herb Mash

• 4 large Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cubed

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter

• 1/2 cup whole milk or cream

• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

• Salt and pepper to taste

  
  

For the Bourbon Garlic Green Beans

• 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 tablespoons bourbon

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

  
  

How to Prepare the Florentine Stuffed Chicken Breast

Step 1: Prepare the Stuffing

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Add chopped spinach and artichokes, cooking until spinach wilts, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in mozzarella, Parmesan, Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture cool slightly.

Step 2: Stuff the Chicken Breasts

Using a sharp knife, carefully cut a pocket into the side of each chicken breast, being careful not to cut all the way through. Stuff each pocket with the spinach-artichoke-cheese mixture. Secure with toothpicks if needed.

Step 3: Sear the Chicken

Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add a splash of olive oil. Sear the stuffed chicken breasts for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown.

Step 4: Bake to Finish

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Transfer the skillet with chicken breasts to the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

How to Make the Roasted Garlic and Herb White Wine Cream Sauce

Step 1: Roast the Garlic

Wrap garlic cloves in foil and roast in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes until soft and caramelized. Alternatively, use pre-roasted garlic.

Step 2: Prepare the Sauce

In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add roasted garlic and mash it with the back of a spoon. Pour in white wine and simmer until reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Add heavy cream and fresh thyme. Simmer gently until sauce thickens, about 7-10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Step 3: Serve

Drizzle the sauce generously over the baked stuffed chicken breasts just before serving.

Garlic herb mashed potatoes in rustic bowl

How to Prepare Garlic Herb Mash

Step 1: Cook the Potatoes

Place peeled and cubed potatoes in a large pot. Cover with cold water and add a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil and cook until potatoes are fork-tender, about 15-20 minutes.

Step 2: Mash and Flavor

Drain potatoes and return to the pot. Add butter, minced garlic, and milk or cream. Mash until smooth and creamy. Stir in chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Adjust consistency with more milk if needed.

How to Make Bourbon Garlic Green Beans

Step 1: Blanch the Green Beans

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add green beans and cook for 3-4 minutes until bright green and slightly tender. Drain and immediately plunge into ice water to stop cooking.

Step 2: Sauté with Garlic and Bourbon

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute. Add green beans and toss to coat. Pour in bourbon and cook for 2-3 minutes until the alcohol cooks off and beans are glazed. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.

Plated Florentine stuffed chicken with garlic herb mash and bourbon garlic green beans

Serving Suggestions and Tips

• Serve the stuffed chicken breast sliced to reveal the colorful filling.

• The garlic herb mash pairs well with the creamy sauce and balances the meal’s richness.

• Bourbon garlic green beans add a subtle sweetness and depth that complements the Tuscan flavors.

• For a wine pairing, choose a dry white like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to match the sauce.

• Prepare the stuffing and sauce ahead of time to streamline cooking on the day of serving.