If you’ve never tried stuffed chicken in the air fryer, this is the recipe that’ll convince you it’s the best way to cook it! The first time I made this Mediterranean stuffed chicken breast, my husband actually asked if we ordered from a fancy restaurant — that’s how impressive (and delicious) it looks and tastes.
The air fryer keeps the chicken incredibly juicy while crisping up the outside just enough. And the filling? Oh my. It’s creamy, salty, herby, and just bursting with those bright Mediterranean flavors — think spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, feta, and olives all nestled inside tender chicken.
What I love most is how balanced this dish feels. It’s hearty yet fresh, savory yet light, and pairs beautifully with a simple salad or some air-fried potatoes. Even better, it only takes about 30 minutes from start to finish — making it a total weeknight win.
Don’t be intimidated by “stuffed chicken” — it’s much easier than it sounds! I’ll walk you through it step by step so your chicken comes out perfect every time.
🥕 Ingredients Overview
Here’s what you’ll need for this Mediterranean-inspired masterpiece:
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts – Look for medium-sized breasts that are easy to butterfly.
- Fresh Spinach – Adds color and a healthy green bite. You can use frozen spinach (thawed & squeezed dry) if needed.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes – Use oil-packed for best flavor and easy chopping.
- Feta Cheese – Crumbly and salty, this adds creaminess to the filling.
- Kalamata Olives – Chopped for a briny pop of flavor.
- Garlic & Italian Seasoning – To bring everything together.
- Olive Oil or Cooking Spray – Helps the outside crisp up without drying.
- Salt & Pepper – Essential!
If you want to keep it on the lighter side, you can use low-fat feta or even swap in part-skim ricotta.
🔥 Step-by-Step Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. While it heats, line your basket with parchment if you like for easier cleanup.
2️⃣ Butterfly the chicken. Place each chicken breast flat on a cutting board and carefully slice horizontally, stopping about 1/2 inch from the edge so it opens like a book.
3️⃣ Make the filling. In a bowl, mix together chopped spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, feta, olives, minced garlic, and a pinch of Italian seasoning.
4️⃣ Stuff the chicken. Open each breast and spoon the filling onto one side, then fold back over to enclose. Secure with toothpicks if needed.
5️⃣ Season & spray. Brush or spray each stuffed breast lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and a little extra Italian seasoning.
6️⃣ Air fry. Place the chicken in your basket in a single layer. Air fry at 375°F for 18–22 minutes, flipping halfway, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
7️⃣ Rest & serve. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing to keep it juicy. Serve warm with a squeeze of lemon if you like.
❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overstuffing — a little filling goes a long way! Too much can spill out.
- Not securing with toothpicks — they help hold everything in while cooking.
- Overcooking — check with a meat thermometer to avoid dry chicken.
- Skipping the oil spray — helps the outside get that nice golden finish.
🎨 Variations & Add-Ons
- Healthy: Use reduced-fat feta, skip the olives, and pack in extra spinach.
- Kid-Friendly: Swap feta for shredded mozzarella and skip the olives.
- Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the filling.
- Cheesy: Mix in some shredded provolone or Parmesan with the feta for extra cheesiness.
- Vegetable-Forward: Add finely chopped roasted red peppers or artichoke hearts to the filling.
📦 Make Ahead & Storage
You can prep and stuff the chicken up to 1 day ahead and keep it covered in the fridge until ready to cook.
Cooked stuffed chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 300°F for 3–4 minutes to keep it juicy.
Air Fryer Mediterranean Stuffed Chicken Breast
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat air fryer to 375°F.
- Butterfly each chicken breast.
- Mix spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, feta, olives, garlic, and seasoning.
- Stuff the chicken with the filling and secure with toothpicks.
- Spray with oil and season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Air fry at 375°F for 18–22 minutes, flipping halfway, until internal temp reaches 165°F.
- Let rest, slice, and serve warm.
Notes
An automated tool is used to calculate nutritional information. Accuracy not guaranteed.
🧡 If you try this stuffed chicken breast, let me know how you like it! It’s become one of our favorite dinners, and I hope your family loves it too. Leave a comment, tag me when you share, and check out my [air fryer lemon herb salmon] for another fresh, healthy dinner idea!
