FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook
- This Is My Favorite Chicken And Asparagus Recipe For Spring
- Ingredients & Substitutions
- How To Make Asparagus Stuffed Chicken Breast
- My Recipe Tips
- Asparagus Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe card
- Serving Ideas
- Recipe Reviews
This Is My Favorite Chicken And Asparagus Recipe For Spring
This asparagus stuffed chicken breast is just what I want from an easy chicken dinner in the spring. Here’s why:
- Juicy, cheesy, and fresh at the same time – Think tender chicken stuffed with tender asparagus and melty cheese, with a golden brown finish. While my spinach stuffed chicken and broccoli stuffed chicken are more creamy and rich, stuffing chicken with asparagus is light and bright. Perfect for spring!
- Just a few simple ingredients – Even though my asparagus stuffed chicken breast looks and tastes like something from a fancy restaurant, you only need basic staples to make it.
- Easy weeknight dinner – Quick prep, a fast sear, and a short bake time mean you’ll have dinner ready in half an hour. And with both protein and veggies, I’ve even had this as a light meal all by itself.
If you’re hooked on chicken and asparagus recipes this time of year like I am, make this one with me!
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for my asparagus stuffed chicken breast recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .
- Chicken – I recommend boneless skinless chicken breast to stuff easily. If you want to use boneless chicken thighs, they’ll be hard to wrap around, but you could layer the asparagus and cheese between two of them.
- Asparagus – The thickness of your spears will affect how crisp they turn out. Choose thin ones if you want them softer, or thick ones if you want them to stay more crisp. You’ll probably have extra, so use it to make my parmesan asparagus , bacon wrapped asparagus , or simple roasted asparagus !
- Cheese – I used provolone, my daughter’s current favorite. Any sliced cheese that melts well is great, like Havarti, Monterey jack, fontina, or mozzarella cheese. Shredded cheese (I recommend 1-2 ounces per chicken breast) works, too.
- Olive Oil & Lemon Juice – For flavor, plus the lemon juice tenderizes the chicken. Feel free to use avocado oil instead of olive oil.
- Garlic – I always choose fresh for the best flavor, but 2 teaspoons of jarred minced garlic will work. You can also just season the chicken with 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder instead.
- Spices – You really only need salt and pepper, but I like to add smoked paprika as well. Feel free to add other seasonings, such as onion powder or a pinch of cayenne.
How To Make Asparagus Stuffed Chicken Breast
I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .
- Brine the chicken. Place the chicken in a bowl of warm, salted water and let it brine while you preheat the oven. Once done, rinse off any excess salt and pat dry.
- Butterfly the chicken. Slice each breast in half horizontally, but don’t cut all the way through. Open it like a book and pound with the flat side of a meat mallet .
- Season. Whisk the olive oil and lemon juice, and brush over the chicken. (I like these silicone brushes — they never shed bristles.) Season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Stuff and roll. Spread the garlic down the center, Layer 2 slices of provolone and a few asparagus spears. Roll up the chicken with the asparagus and cheese inside. Brush the asparagus tips with leftover oil mix. If you like, sprinkle with smoked paprika.
- Sear until golden. Heat the oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken on both sides until golden brown. (It won’t be cooked through yet.)
- Bake until juicy and melty. Transfer the asparagus stuffed chicken breast to the preheated oven, until cooked through. Remove it from the pan and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing. I like to garnish with fresh parsley.
My Recipe Tips
- How long to brine, and is it required? It’s not required, but even 10-20 minutes helps make your chicken more juicy — see my baked chicken breast for more explanation. You can brine in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Feel free to skip this step if you’re short on time, though.
- Don’t have a meat mallet? I use the flat side of a meat mallet like this , but a rolling pin works, too. You can also just cut pockets in the chicken breasts instead, but I find that pounding and rolling keeps the filling inside better. If you cut pockets, you’ll need toothpicks to hold them closed.
- Can you use only the stove or only the oven? Yes, you can! Feel free to keep searing on the stove without the oven step, or just bake in the oven — which is actually how I first made this chicken asparagus recipe. Now I always do the stove followed by the oven. It stays juicier than the stovetop alone, without giving up the golden sear (the oven alone won’t do it).
- Don’t move the chicken around when searing. You get a nicer golden crust if you keep it one spot, except to flip.
- Chicken breasts should hit 165 degrees F, but with asparagus stuffed chicken it’s super important that you’re checking the chicken itself and not the filling inside. I use this probe thermometer to alert me when it’s ready, but a regular one works, too. Sometimes I remove them around 162-163 degrees F, because the temperature rises a few degrees while resting.
- Want extra flavor? Add a few sun-dried tomatoes over the asparagus before rolling, or drizzle the finished dish with my quick blender hollandaise sauce .
Recipe Video
Ingredients
Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.
- 4 8-oz Boneless skinless chicken breasts ▢
- 1 tsp Sea salt (plus more for brining) ▢
- 1/4 cup Olive oil (divided) ▢
- 2 tbsp Lemon juice ▢
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper ▢
- 4 cloves Garlic (minced) ▢
- 8 slices Provolone cheese ▢
- 12 spears Asparagus (trimmed) ▢
- 1/2 tsp Smoked paprika (optional) ▢
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.
- Place the chicken breasts into a large bowl. Fill with warm water and add a couple tablespoons of salt. Stir to dissolve. Set aside to brine for 10-20 minutes , or in the fridge overnight.
- Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C). When the chicken breasts are done brining, remove from the bowl, rinse under cool water to remove excess salt, and pat dry.
- Butterfly each chicken breast: Cut horizontally without cutting all the way through, then “open” it up so that it lays flat and is thinner. Use the flat side of a meat mallet to pound into a circle, 1/4 inch (6 mm) thick.
- In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons olive oil and the lemon juice. Brush one side of the chicken with the mixture, then season with salt and pepper. Flip over and repeat on the other side.
- Spread the minced garlic down the center of each piece of chicken. Top with 2 slices of provolone, then 3 trimmed spears of asparagus.
- Roll up the chicken, with the asparagus and cheese inside. Repeat with all the pieces. Brush the tips of the asparagus sticking out with any leftover oil/lemon juice mixture. If you like, sprinkle the chicken with smoked paprika.
- Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear for 3-5 minutes per side, until both sides are golden brown.
- Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes , until cooked through. Rest for 5 minutes before serving.
LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!
Maya’s Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 asparagus stuffed chicken breast
- Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you get a perfect golden outside with a juicy inside, notes on brining (or if you want to skip it), alternatives for a meat mallet, options to use only the stove or oven (instead of both), and optional flavor boosters.
- Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Meal prep: Do everything except baking, then refrigerate. When you’re ready, brush with more lemon juice and olive oil, then cook.
- Reheat: You can reheat in the oven at 350 degrees F, but I prefer my air fryer for a couple minutes. I don’t recommend the microwave for this chicken recipe — it will turn out dry.
- Freeze: Store the asparagus stuffed chicken in a zip lock bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. The asparagus does get more mushy, though. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Spring Ebook Bundle and my Healthy Ebook Bundle !
I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .
Add Your NotesYour Notes
© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.
Asparagus Stuffed Chicken Breast
Serving Ideas
I find this asparagus stuffed chicken breast pretty filling on its own, but if you want to round it out, here are some easy side dishes I pair with it:
- Salad – I plated the chicken with butter lettuce, cucumbers, and radishes in my pictures here and drizzled my sugar-free salad dressing on top. It would also pair well with my spring salad , creamy cucumber salad , or Israeli salad .
- Vegetables – Asparagus stuffed chicken can only reasonably fit a few asparagus spears, so if you want extra veggies, roast other vegetables to go with it.
- Starches – My family’s go-to are air fryer potatoes . Try them and you’ll get it.
Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List
- Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
- The Basic Keto Meal Formula
- Understanding Macros
- Keto Food Swaps
- Keto Food List
- Electrolyte Basics
- Keto Diet Types
- Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
- Recipe Reviews
Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.
You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).
Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:
- Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
- Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
- Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
- Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
- Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
- Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
- Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
- Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
- FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.
Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System + EBooks (Only $37)
The Basic Keto Meal Formula
Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.
Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.
Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.
| Pick A Protein | Pick A Veggie | Add Fat |
|---|---|---|
| Beef Chicken Pork Eggs Lamb Turkey Fish Shellfish Protein powder Venison | Cauliflower Broccoli Zucchini Leafy Greens Cucumbers Brussels Sprouts Cabbage Asparagus Radishes Bell Peppers Jicama Celery | Butter Avocado Oil Cheese Bacon Avocado Lard Ghee Mayo Nuts MCT Oil |
Understanding Macros
Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.
You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.
Carbs Are A Limit.
Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.
A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.
“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.
A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.
Protein Is A Goal.
Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].
“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.
Fat Is A Lever.
Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.
A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).
Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.
Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.
“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.
Keto Food Swaps
One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.
So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .
Keto Swaps For Breakfast
| Instead Of This… | Eat This |
|---|---|
| Pancakes | Almond flour pancakes or coconut flour pancakes |
| Oatmeal | Keto oatmeal with hemp seeds |
| Cinnamon rolls | Fathead cinnamon rolls |
| Cereal | Keto nut granola |
| Muffins | Almond flour muffins or coconut flour muffins |
| Donuts | Almond flour donuts |
| Scones | Almond flour scones |
| High-sugar smoothies | Smoothie with berries or avocado |
| Hash browns | Cauliflower hash browns |
| Breakfast casserole | Breakfast casserole with no potatoes |
| Egg whites | Whole eggs |
| Turkey bacon | Bacon |
| Waffles | Chaffles |
Keto Swaps For Bread
| Instead Of This… | Eat This |
|---|---|
| Bagels | Fathead bagels |
| English muffin | Almond flour English muffin |
| White bread | Keto white bread |
| Multigrain bread | Coconut flour bread with seeds |
| Tortillas for wraps | Coconut flour tortillas |
| Corn taco shells | Cheddar cheese taco shells |
| Burger buns | Oopsie rolls , portobello mushroom caps |
| Breadsticks | Cauliflower breadsticks |
| Biscuits | Almond flour biscuits |
| Cornbread | Almond flour cornbread |
| Croutons | Parmesan crisps |
| Rice | Cauliflower rice , konjac rice |
Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes
| Instead Of This… | Eat This |
|---|---|
| Breaded wings | Crispy air fryer wings (unbreaded) |
| Low-fat meat & poultry | High-fat cuts, or cook low-fat cuts with fat |
| Mashed potatoes | Mashed cauliflower |
| Roasted potatoes | Roasted or fried radishes |
| Tacos | Taco salad |
| Pizza | Fathead crust , chicken crust , or cauliflower crust pizza |
| Lasagna | Eggplant lasagna |
| Potato salad | Cauliflower “potato” salad |
| French fries | Jicama , rutabaga , or zucchini fries |
| Tater tots | Cauliflower tots |
| Wraps | Lettuce wraps , almond flour tortillas |
| Sushi | Naruto-style or homemade rice-free sushi |
| Breaded chicken or fish | Breaded cuts with almond flour or pork rinds |
| Spaghetti | Zoodles , spaghetti squash , shirataki noodles, kelp noodles |
Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces
| Instead Of This… | Eat This |
|---|---|
| Nachos | Cheese crisps |
| High-sugar fruit | Berries & other keto fruits |
| Crackers | Almond flour crackers |
| Hummus | Cauliflower hummus |
| Soft pretzels | Fathead pretzels |
| Popcorn | Puffed cheese |
| Granola bars | Grain-free granola bars |
| Jam | Sugar-free berry chia jam |
| Sweet fruity yogurt | Full-fat plain Greek yogurt with berries |
| Sweet salad dressing | Ranch , blue cheese , or plain vinaigrette |
| Ketchup | Mustard and/or sugar-free ketchup |
| BBQ sauce | Sugar-free BBQ sauce |
| Sweetened peanut butter | Natural, sugar-free nut butters |
| Light mayo | Avocado oil mayo |
| Maple syrup | Sugar-free, maple flavored syrup |
| Potato chips | Zucchini chips , pepperoni chips , pork rinds |
Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking
| Instead Of This… | Eat This |
|---|---|
| Sugar | Monk fruit or allulose |
| Powdered sugar | Powdered monk fruit or allulose |
| White flour | Almond or Coconut flour (use in tested recipes) |
| Making baked goods soft/chewy | Xanthan gum, flax seed meal, psyllium husk powder |
| Breadcrumbs | Pork rinds or almond flour |
| Margarine | Butter, coconut oil, or ghee |
| Vegetable oil | Olive or avocado oil |
| Bananas | Banana extract |
| Chocolate chips | Sugar-free chocolate chips |
| Cornstarch or flour roux | Xanthan gum or gelatin powder (used at the end) |
| Simple syrup | Dissolve monk fruit allulose blend in water over heat |
Keto Swaps For Drinks
| Instead Of This… | Eat This |
|---|---|
| Lemonade | Water with lemon |
| Soda | Flavored sparkling water |
| Milk | Almond milk, coconut milk, heavy cream |
| Latte | Butter coffee |
| Coffee creamer | Heavy cream |
| Sweet wine | Dry wine |
| Beer | Ultra light beer |
| Mixed drinks | Hard liquor with soda + lemon |
If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .
Keto Food List
When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.
The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!
Foods To Eat On Keto
- Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
- Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
- Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
- Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
- Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
- Avocados
- Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
- Almond flour and coconut flour
- Eggs
- Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.
Foods To Avoid On Keto
- White flour & sugar
- Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
- Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
- Cereal
- Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
- Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
- Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
- Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
- Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
- Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.
That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:
Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)
Electrolyte Basics
Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.
For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .
The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.
Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:
| Sodium | Magnesium | Potassium |
|---|---|---|
| Bone broth Boullion cubes Bacon Salted nuts Pickles | Seaweed Seeds Nuts Avocado Leafy greens | Potassium chloride Avocado Bone broth Spinach Broccoli Mushrooms Beef Pork |
Keto Diet Types
People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.
Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.
Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!
- Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
- Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
- Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
- Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.
For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!
Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:
- Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
- Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
- Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
- Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
- Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
- Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
- Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
- Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
- FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.
Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)
Asparagus Stuffed Chicken Breast
Make my juicy, golden asparagus stuffed chicken breast recipe with melty cheese and garlic in just 30 minutes. An easy, healthy dinner!
Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/asparagus-stuffed-chicken/
Ingredients
- 4 8-oz Boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tsp Sea salt (plus more for brining)
- 1/4 cup Olive oil (divided)
- 2 tbsp Lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper
- 4 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 8 slices Provolone cheese
- 12 spears Asparagus (trimmed)
- 1/2 tsp Smoked paprika (optional)
Instructions
- Place the chicken breasts into a large bowl. Fill with warm water and add a couple tablespoons of salt. Stir to dissolve. Set aside to brine for 10-20 minutes , or in the fridge overnight.
- Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C). When the chicken breasts are done brining, remove from the bowl, rinse under cool water to remove excess salt, and pat dry.
- Butterfly each chicken breast: Cut horizontally without cutting all the way through, then “open” it up so that it lays flat and is thinner. Use the flat side of a meat mallet to pound into a circle, 1/4 inch (6 mm) thick.
- In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons olive oil and the lemon juice. Brush one side of the chicken with the mixture, then season with salt and pepper. Flip over and repeat on the other side.
- Spread the minced garlic down the center of each piece of chicken. Top with 2 slices of provolone, then 3 trimmed spears of asparagus.
- Roll up the chicken, with the asparagus and cheese inside. Repeat with all the pieces. Brush the tips of the asparagus sticking out with any leftover oil/lemon juice mixture. If you like, sprinkle the chicken with smoked paprika.
- Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear for 3-5 minutes per side, until both sides are golden brown.
- Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes , until cooked through. Rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Maya’s Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 asparagus stuffed chicken breast
- Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you get a perfect golden outside with a juicy inside, notes on brining (or if you want to skip it), alternatives for a meat mallet, options to use only the stove or oven (instead of both), and optional flavor boosters.
- Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Meal prep: Do everything except baking, then refrigerate. When you’re ready, brush with more lemon juice and olive oil, then cook.
- Reheat: You can reheat in the oven at 350 degrees F, but I prefer my air fryer for a couple minutes. I don’t recommend the microwave for this chicken recipe – it will turn out dry.
- Freeze: Store the asparagus stuffed chicken in a zip lock bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. The asparagus does get more mushy, though. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Spring Ebook Bundle and my Healthy Ebook Bundle !
I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .
© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)
