Prepare to fall in love with your new favorite weeknight dinner: Gouda Mushroom Stuffed Chicken. This recipe transforms simple chicken breasts into a gourmet experience, featuring a rich, savory filling of melted Gouda cheese, earthy mushrooms, and aromatic herbs. It’s the kind of meal that looks and tastes incredibly impressive, yet is surprisingly easy to whip up. If you’re searching for a dish that will wow your family and friends without spending hours in the kitchen, you’ve found it. This cheesy mushroom chicken is a game-changer.
The magic of this dish lies in its incredible combination of textures and flavors. The chicken remains wonderfully juicy and tender, while the creamy, cheesy mushroom filling provides a burst of savory goodness in every bite. Searing the chicken before baking creates a beautiful golden-brown crust that seals in all the juices. It’s a complete, satisfying meal that feels special enough for a Sunday dinner but is quick enough for a busy Tuesday.

Why You’ll Love This Gouda Mushroom Stuffed Chicken Recipe
- Incredibly Flavorful: The smoky taste of Gouda cheese pairs perfectly with sautéed mushrooms, garlic, and fresh herbs for a truly unforgettable flavor.
- Juicy and Tender Results: Our technique of searing first and then baking ensures the chicken is perfectly cooked, never dry.
- Looks Gourmet, Cooks Easy: While it looks like a dish from a high-end restaurant, the steps are straightforward and perfect for enthusiastic home cooks.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: It’s a versatile dish that works for a simple family dinner, meal prep, or when you have guests over.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients to create a truly spectacular dish. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Chicken Breasts: Look for large, thick boneless, skinless chicken breasts. This will make them easier to butterfly and stuff.
- Gouda Cheese: The star of the show! Use smoked or regular Gouda, freshly shredded for the best melt.
- Mushrooms: Cremini mushrooms (baby bellas) offer a wonderful earthy flavor, but white button mushrooms work well too.
- Aromatics: Yellow onion and fresh garlic build the savory flavor base for the filling.
- Spinach: A handful of fresh spinach adds color, nutrients, and moisture to the filling.
- Olive Oil & Butter: Used for sautéing the filling and searing the chicken, providing rich flavor and color.
- Seasoning: Dried thyme, salt, and black pepper are all you need to perfectly season this dish.

How to Make Gouda Mushroom Stuffed Chicken (Step-by-Step)
Follow these simple steps to create a restaurant-quality stuffed chicken dinner right in your own kitchen.
Step 1: Prepare the Mushroom and Gouda Filling
Start by heating olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook until they have released their moisture and started to brown. Stir in the minced garlic and dried thyme, cooking for another minute until fragrant. Finally, add the fresh spinach and cook just until it wilts. Remove the skillet from the heat and let the mixture cool slightly before stirring in the shredded Gouda cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 2: Butterfly and Stuff the Chicken Breasts
Place a chicken breast on a cutting board, flat side down. Carefully slice it horizontally through the thickest part, stopping about half an inch from the other side. Open the breast like a book. Season the inside of the chicken with salt and pepper. Spoon a generous amount of the Gouda mushroom filling onto one side of the butterflied breast. Fold the other half over the filling and press the edges together. If needed, secure the chicken breast with a few toothpicks to keep the filling from escaping.
Step 3: Sear for a Golden Crust
Wipe out the skillet you used for the filling and return it to medium-high heat with a bit more olive oil. Carefully place the stuffed chicken breasts in the hot skillet. Sear for 3-4 minutes per side, until a beautiful golden-brown crust forms. This step is crucial for locking in flavor and moisture. Don’t overcrowd the pan; sear in batches if necessary.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Transfer the seared chicken breasts to a baking dish. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) on an instant-read thermometer. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a tender bite.
Tips for the Best Stuffed Chicken
- Shred Your Own Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting smoothly. For the creamiest filling, buy a block of Gouda and shred it yourself.
- Don’t Overstuff: It can be tempting to pack in the filling, but overstuffing can cause the chicken to tear or the filling to leak out during cooking.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: The best way to ensure your chicken is cooked perfectly—not overcooked or undercooked—is to use an instant-read thermometer.
- Let it Rest: Allowing the chicken to rest for at least 5 minutes before serving is key to keeping it juicy.
What to Serve with Your Stuffed Chicken
This Gouda mushroom stuffed chicken is a versatile main course that pairs well with a variety of sides. For a wholesome meal, serve it alongside some Garlic Parmesan Roasted Potatoes or a simple green salad. It’s also fantastic with steamed asparagus, creamy mashed potatoes, or even a side of flavorful orzo.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Store any leftover stuffed chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the chicken in a baking dish, add a splash of chicken broth to keep it moist, and warm in a 350°F (175°C) oven until heated through, about 10-15 minutes. You can also gently reheat it in the microwave.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gouda Mushroom Stuffed Chicken
Absolutely! While smoked Gouda provides a wonderful flavor, this recipe is also delicious with Gruyère, Provolone, or even a sharp white cheddar. Feel free to experiment with your favorite melting cheese.
Cremini mushrooms (also known as baby bellas) are an excellent choice because of their deep, earthy flavor. However, simple white button mushrooms or sliced portobello mushrooms would also work wonderfully.
The most reliable way to check for doneness is with a meat thermometer. Insert it into the thickest part of the chicken breast (avoiding the filling). The chicken is safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Yes, you can prepare the stuffed chicken breasts up to 24 hours in advance. Assemble them completely, cover, and store them in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to cook, just sear and bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
To keep the chicken from drying out, it’s best to reheat it in the oven. Place the leftover chicken in a baking dish with a splash of chicken broth or water, cover with foil, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through.
More Delicious Dinner Recipes to Try
If you enjoyed this recipe, you’ll love exploring some of our other dinner favorites. For a cozy and comforting meal, try this Slow Cooker Mediterranean Beef Stew. Or, for another easy chicken dinner, this Lemon Garlic Chicken is always a winner.
Gouda Mushroom Stuffed Chicken

Gouda Mushroom Stuffed Chicken (The Ultimate Cheesy Dinner)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook until browned. Stir in the minced garlic and dried thyme, cooking for 1 more minute. Add the spinach and cook until wilted. Remove from heat and stir in the shredded Gouda cheese. Season with salt and pepper.
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Butterfly each chicken breast by slicing it horizontally, stopping about half an inch from the edge. Open it like a book and season the inside with salt and pepper.
- Spoon the Gouda mushroom mixture onto one side of each chicken breast. Fold the other side over and secure with toothpicks if necessary.
- Add a little more oil to the skillet over medium-high heat. Place the stuffed chicken in the hot skillet and sear for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown.
- Transfer the seared chicken to a baking dish. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving. This helps keep it juicy.
Nutrition
Notes
Tip 2: Ensure the mushroom filling has cooled slightly before adding the cheese to prevent it from becoming oily.
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