Air Fryer Southern-Style Stuffed Chicken Breast with Pimento Cheese and Spinach
A flavorful Southern-inspired dinner featuring chicken breasts stuffed with creamy pimento cheese and fresh spinach, cooked perfectly in the air fryer for a juicy, cheesy meal in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Check ingredients as you go.
- Stuffing
- Seasoning
- Finishing
Let’s make it
Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 5 minutes.
Stuffing
In a medium bowl, combine pimento cheese, chopped spinach, and softened cream cheese until mixed well.
Using a sharp knife, carefully butterfly each chicken breast by slicing horizontally without cutting all the way through, creating a pocket.
Seasoning
Season the inside and outside of each chicken breast evenly with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
Stuffing
Stuff each chicken breast pocket generously with the pimento cheese and spinach mixture, then secure the opening with toothpicks if desired to prevent filling from spilling during cooking.
Finishing
Brush the outside of each stuffed chicken breast with olive oil to help crisp the exterior in the air fryer.
Place the stuffed chicken breasts in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not overlap.
Cook in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 18–20 minutes, turning halfway through the cooking time, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Remove chicken breasts from the air fryer and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute and filling to set slightly.
Tips & notes
Butterflying the chicken breasts carefully is key to creating a pocket without splitting them open. Use softened cream cheese for easier mixing with pimento cheese and spinach. Secure the openings with toothpicks if needed to keep the filling inside during cooking. Allow the chicken to rest after cooking for juicy results.
Saving it for later
Store leftover stuffed chicken breasts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Do not leave out at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 5–7 minutes until heated through, or in a microwave covered loosely to retain moisture. Check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) before serving.
