Hasselback Chicken Recipe Stuffed with Mozzarella, Tomato and Basil

Name: Hasselback Chicken Stuffed with Mozzarella, Tomato and Basil
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts; 8 to 10 slices mozzarella cheese; 5 to 6 grape tomatoes; sliced in half; Fresh basil leaves; 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning; Salt and Pepper; 2 teaspoons olive oil

Published: Apr 27, 2016 · Modified: Jun 18, 2021 by Lois · This post may contain affiliate links · 79 Comments

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Boneless, skinless chicken breasts stuffed with mozzarella, tomato and basil. Hasselback chicken is ready in 30 minutes! The perfect recipe to add to any weekly meal plan or to serve to company. Let me show you one of the most popular Family Favorite Chicken Recipes

This recipe has been updated since it first appeared in 2016 with new photos, information and a new printable recipe card that includes nutritional information. I hope you enjoy the updates as much as I enjoyed working on them!

Today I'm sharing with you this amazing recipe for Hasselback Chicken Stuffed with Mozzarella, Tomato and Basil. This is a classic stuffed caprese chicken version of 30 Minute Caprese Chicken Recipe that we love.

This recipe has been part of our Top Family Favorite Chicken Recipes for a few years now on the site. And for good reason!

What is Hasselback Chicken?

The term Hasselback has been around for awhile; usually for potatoes where you make slits in the potato, like an accordion, being careful not to slice the potato all the way through. Then you stuff the slits with bacon and cheese.

Now, people are making Hasselback everything...apples, sweet potatoes and even chicken!

What to Stuff Chicken With?

You don’t have to be limited to stuffing the chicken with mozzarella, tomatoes and basil leaves. Think of what your family loves and try it!

You can use fresh spinach leaves in place of the basil leaves. Another flavor of cheese will be delicious as well. Maybe cheddar or Monterey Jack Cheese. Even cream cheese and herbs will work.

I recently made the recipe with the leftover Bacon Cheddar Cheese Dip I served as an appetizer when family was visiting. The chicken came out so delicious stuffed with the cheese dip.

Helpful Kitchen Tools

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You don't really need much to prepare this recipe, but here's a list of my favorite kitchen tools:

Cutting Board - I like these plastic ones that can easily be sterilized with bleach after preparing chicken.
Knife Set - a good sharp knife is essential for cutting the slits in the chicken.
Rectangle Baking Dish - pretty enough to bring to the table!

Wooden Kitchen Utensils Set -More Information 2 Sets 1Lb Clear GlassMore Information Bakeware Sets, Ceramic Baking DishMore Information Gorilla Grip Original Oversized CuttingMore Information Bamboo Cutting BoardMore Information

What Type of Chicken to use for this Recipe

For this recipe, you want to use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. You want them to be thicker chicken breasts as they're easier to handle when making the slits.

Thicker chicken breasts also allow you to properly stuff them with the mozzarella cheese, tomatoes and fresh basil leaves.

Main Ingredients Needed

Exact measurements are listed below in the recipe card. Make sure you scroll down to print and save the recipe for later!

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Mozzarella cheese; sliced
Grape tomatoes; sliced in half
Fresh basil leaves
Italian seasoning - or your favorite seasonings! Garlic powder, fresh garlic or even oregano are also good.
Salt and Pepper
Olive oil

Step-by-Step Directions

Step 1: How to get the Hasselback Slices

Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, cut slits across the chicken breast about ¾ of the way through being careful not to cut all the way through.

Depending on the size of your chicken breast, you're going to want around 6 to 8 slits per chicken breast.

Step 2: How to Stuff the Chicken

Stuff each slit with a slice of mozzarella cheese, half a grape tomato and a basil leaf.

Add sliced mozzarella cheese, grape tomatoes and basil leaves into slits in chicken breast for Hasselback Chicken from Walking on Sunshine Recipes.

Cooking Tip: Be very careful not to slice the chicken breasts all the way through. You want to make the slices ¾ of the way down. Otherwise the cheese will melt through to the bottom of the casserole dish while the chicken is baking.

Chicken mozzarella tomato stuffed in slits.

Step 3: Baking Instructions

Place the chicken breasts in a baking dish that has been coated with non-stick baking spray.
Brush each chicken breast with olive oil.
Sprinkle each chicken breast with salt, pepper and Italian seasoning.
You can also use your favorite seasonings: garlic powder, oregano...it's okay to be creative!
Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for 30 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees.
I always use a Digital Meat Thermometer to check the temperature when cooking chicken.

Hasselback chicken recipe in casserole dish.

Family Favorite Side Dishes

For our dinner, I served rice pilaf with steamed green beans as our side dishes, but here are a few other ideas your family might enjoy:

Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan Cheese
Tossed Salad with my Homemade Italian Dressing recipe is usually what my family loves with any chicken recipe.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts - these are so delicious!

Tried this recipe? Let me know in the comments and don't forget to rate it!

Like this recipe? Try these other 30 Minute Dinner Recipes:

Easy Beef Ramen Stir Fry - this is a budget friendly recipe ready in 20 minutes!
Chicken Stuffed with Ricotta Cheese and Spinach
Cheesy Baked Tortellini
One Pan Chicken with Baby Red Potatoes

More Information More Information More Information More Information More Information

Yield: 2 servings

Hasselback Chicken Stuffed with Mozzarella, Tomato and Basil

Hasselback Chicken is stuffed with mozzarella, tomato and basil making it a new and delicious way to enjoy chicken for dinner!

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
8 to 10 slices mozzarella cheese
5 to 6 grape tomatoes; sliced in half
Fresh basil leaves
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
Salt and Pepper
2 teaspoons olive oil

Instructions

Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, cut slits across the chicken breast about ¾ of the way through being careful not to cut all the way through.
Depending on the size of your chicken breast, you're going to want around 6 to 8 slits per chicken breast.
Stuff each slit with a slice of mozzarella cheese, half a grape tomato and a basil leaf.
Place the chicken breasts in a baking dish that has been coated with non-stick baking spray.
Brush each chicken breast with olive oil.
Sprinkle each chicken breast with salt, pepper and Italian seasoning.
Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for 30 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 160 degrees.

Notes

You can also drizzle a little balsamic vinegar on top of the cooked chicken right before serving.