Juicy, tender rooster thighs are filled with creamy spinach, Parmesan, and ricotta filling, then baked to golden perfection with a savory mix of paprika, garlic, and oregano. This dish feels fancy however surprisingly straightforward to make, combining easy elements right into a satisfying meal.
Stuffed Hen Thighs: huge taste with minimal effort!
I initially made these stuffed rooster thighs to modify up our traditional rooster dinner and take it up a notch from one thing easier (however nonetheless scrumptious) like pan-seared rooster thighs. I used boneless, skinless thighs, which stayed further tender, whereas the filling added much more moisture and taste. These thighs turned an instantaneous hit with my always-hungry husband! And one of the best half? This recipe takes solely 20 minutes of prep + Half-hour of baking (idle time)! There are countless methods to customise this dish—swap the spinach for kale, add sun-dried tomatoes, or combine in contemporary herbs. I served mine with roasted veggies (like my candy potatoes and broccoli), however they’d be simply as scrumptious over basil pasta or paired with a crisp salad like my orzo spinach salad.
Predominant Elements & Substitutions
- Hen Thighs – I used boneless, skinless thighs because the darker rooster meat tends to be further tender and forgiving to prepare dinner with. Use rooster breasts as an alternative of thighs in case you want leaner meat, however you’ll want to control cooking time to keep away from dryness.
- Spinach – I used contemporary, wilted spinach for the filling. Swap with kale, Swiss chard, or arugula. You can too use frozen spinach – be certain that to empty it nicely and pat it dry with paper towels to eliminate any further moisture.
- Ricotta Cheese – Provides creaminess. You can too attempt cream cheese for further richness, feta for a tangy kick, or mozzarella for a melty, gooey filling.
- Parmesan Cheese – Provides saltiness and enhances taste. You can too use Asiago, Gruyere, or Pecorino Romano as an alternative.
- Seasoning Mix – I mixed Garlic Powder, Paprika, Oregano, Salt, and Black Pepper – be at liberty to regulate to style.
- Olive Oil – For brushing the rooster earlier than baking.
Elective Add-Ins
- Proteins – Combine in crispy bacon, chopped ham, or crumbled sausage.
- Greens – Add diced mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, or caramelized onions for further taste.
How you can make Stuffed Hen Thighs (step-by-step photographs)
Notice: This can be a recipe overview – the whole recipe (with the quantities) is within the recipe card under. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a baking dish. Wilt spinach in a skillet or microwave, then chop and squeeze out extra moisture.
Combine wilted spinach with ricotta, Parmesan, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
In a small bowl, put together the rooster seasoning by mixing the paprika, garlic powder, oregano, and the remaining salt and pepper. Lay every rooster thigh flat on a clear floor. If essential, use a meat mallet to even out their thickness.
Add 2 tablespoons of filling, roll up, and safe with toothpicks.
Brush stuffed rooster thighs with olive oil, and season with paprika, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
Prepare the thighs seam-side down within the ready baking dish and bake for 30-35 minutes till the rooster reaches 165°F (74°C).
Storage & Reheating Directions
- Refrigeration: Retailer leftovers in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 3 days. Reheat within the oven at 350°F till warmed by to maintain the rooster juicy.
- Freezing: Place the cooked stuffed rooster thighs in a freezer-safe container or in a freezer bag. They’ll hold for as much as 2 months.
- Reheating from Frozen: Thaw within the fridge in a single day earlier than reheating within the oven at 350°F for about 20-Half-hour or till sizzling. Keep away from microwaving, as it will probably make the filling watery.
Extra Hen Thigh Recipes
- Creamy Hen Orzo with Mushrooms and Spinach
- Skillet Hen Thighs with Creamy Tomato Basil Spinach Sauce
- Hen Thighs with Creamy Bacon Mushroom Thyme Sauce
- Greek Hen Orzo
Stuffed Hen Thighs
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Elements
Hen Thighs Elements
- 8 rooster thighs boneless and skinless
- 2 cups contemporary spinach (60 g)
- ½ cup ricotta cheese (125 g)
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese grated (25 g)
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder (1.25 g)
- 1 teaspoon salt divided (5 g)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper divided (2.5 g)
- 1 teaspoon paprika (5 g)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (5 g)
- ½ teaspoon oregano dried (1.25 g)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (30 ml)
Directions
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Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Evenly grease a baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
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In a dry skillet over medium warmth, shortly wilt the spinach. Permit to chill after which chop finely. Alternatively, wilt the spinach within the microwave oven, ensuring to squeeze out any extra moisture.
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In a medium bowl, mix the chopped spinach, ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, ½ teaspoon (2.5 g) salt, and ¼ teaspoon (1.25 g) black pepper. Combine nicely and put aside.
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Lay every rooster thigh flat on a clear floor. If essential, use a meat mallet to even out their thickness.
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Spoon about 2 tablespoons (30 g) of the spinach combination onto the middle of every thigh. Roll the rooster across the filling and safe with toothpicks.
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In a small bowl, combine the paprika, garlic powder, oregano, and the remaining salt and pepper. Brush the rooster rolls with olive oil, then sprinkle the seasoning combination evenly over them.
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Prepare the stuffed rooster thighs seam-side down within the ready baking dish. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or till the rooster reaches an inside temperature of 165°F (74°C).
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Let the rooster relaxation for five minutes earlier than serving. Pair with a easy salad, roasted greens, or mashed potatoes for a whole meal. And don’t neglect the crusty bread to mop up all these beautiful tacky, garlicky juices! See extra ideas under.
Notes
Continuously Requested Questions
- Can I exploit rooster breasts as an alternative of thighs? Sure! You need to use rooster breasts, however they are typically drier than thighs. Make sure that to butterfly them and pound them skinny so that they’re simpler to stuff and roll.
- Can I exploit frozen spinach as an alternative of contemporary? Sure, you need to use frozen spinach. Make sure you thaw and squeeze out extra water earlier than mixing it with the opposite filling elements.
- What can I substitute for ricotta cheese? Cream cheese or goat cheese are nice, creamy alternate options!
- What different seasonings work nicely for this recipe? I like making stuffed rooster thighs with smoked paprika, cayenne pepper for warmth, or Italian seasoning.
- How can I make sure the rooster stays moist? Keep away from overbaking and let the rooster relaxation for a couple of minutes after taking it out of the oven. This permits the juices to redistribute.
- How do I hold the filling from spilling out? I struggled with this HARD once I first began making stuffed rooster. Safe the stuffed thighs with toothpicks or kitchen twine. You can too sear them first to assist maintain every thing collectively earlier than baking.
- How do I do know when the rooster is finished? Use a meat thermometer—rooster is suitable for eating when the interior temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
- Can I put together this dish forward of time? Sure! You possibly can assemble the stuffed rooster thighs and refrigerate them for as much as 24 hours earlier than baking. Merely add an additional 5-10 minutes to the baking time.
- Can I prepare dinner these in an air fryer? Oh, I’ve carried out this! All of us are pressed for time typically. Cook dinner at 375°F for about 18-22 minutes, flipping midway by, till they attain 165°F internally.
Serving Solutions
Let the rooster relaxation for five minutes earlier than serving. Pair with a easy salad, roasted greens, or mashed potatoes for a whole meal. For decrease carb alternate options, serve stuffed rooster thighs with cauliflower “mashed potatoes,” roasted spaghetti squash, or spiralized zucchini. And don’t neglect the crusty bread to mop up all these beautiful tacky, garlicky juices! Listed here are my private favorites:
- Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pine Nuts
- Roasted Asparagus with Bacon, Garlic, and Parmesan
- Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls
Vitamin
