Tamis Terrific Treasures

Tami’s Stuffed Pocket Recipe? A versatile recipe that could be a meal game changer! Now I know what you are thinking. Stuffed pocket recipe? What kind of pockets? What are you stuffing and what are you stuffing it with? Well; so, I was on the hunt for a recipe that I had seen on one of the many social media sites. And typical for me I saved it somewhere or shared it to someone. But also typical for me I couldn’t find it when I was ready to use it. I could find everything but the one I was looking for.

Now, my mother and I love mushrooms. However, Daddy, not so much. So, there I sat madly scrolling through social media, searching all my saved spaces, and even calling on the All Mighty GOOGLE! But no matter how much I had prayed that I would find my treasure with the next click, I failed. 

So, I was looking for a recipe that had chicken breast pounded flat and stuffed with sauteed mushrooms and onions. However, I couldn’t remember if it was stuffed, egg-washed, and rolled in a crumb. Covered with cheese, baked, or air-fried. Therefore, I’m sure you can see my dilemma. And all I could find was cheese-stuffed this and cheese-stuffed that. But not mushroom and onion stuffed anything!

Creation of Tami’s Easy Stuffed Chicken Thighs

If you know me personally or have seen or used any of my other recipes, then you know I am HORRIBLE at following any recipe without a few personal tweaks. (Even if using a recipe for the very first time!) Anyway, here I was with boneless, skinless chicken thighs (Daddy hates breasts! Chicken that is! Haha…), a container of baby bell mushrooms, onions, a couple handfuls of fresh spinach, cream cheese, mozzarella, and parmesan cheeses, and a ticking clock! Then I started thinking how about an easy stuffed chicken thighs?

I am going to get right to it. However, be sure to keep in mind that everything is optional, omittable, or replaceable. That is what I love the most about cooking! In the end it may not always look as pretty as a picture but I will guarantee nine times out of ten; IF it smells delicious it probably is! And I just realized this particular version is a delicious low carb stuffed chicken recipe!

Ingredients:

• 8-12 Boneless & Skinless Chicken Thighs (4-6 Boneless/Skinless Chicken Breasts sliced in half lengthwise.
• 4 oz. Of Cream Cheese
• 1 Cup of Shredded Mozzarella
• 1 Cup of Shredded Parmesan Cheese (Not the Powdered Stuff)
• 2-3 Tbls (+ some for smearing) Mayonnaise (I used Duke’s)
• 1 16oz Container of Whole Mushrooms (I used Baby Bell)
• 1 med-lrg onion (I used med white onion)
• 2 Cups of Fresh Spinach (rough chopped)
• 4 Cloves of Fresh Garlic (crushed and chopped)
• 1 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1 tsp Onion Powder
• 1 tsp Black Pepper
• 1 Tbls Tony’s Cajun Seasoning
• Salt to taste

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 375⁰

Step #1

• Wash and slice mushrooms
• Clean onion, cut it in ½ from end to end then slice thinly.
• Clean Garlic, crush it with the side of your knife and then chop.
• In a skillet over medium heat add enough olive oil to coat the bottom of the pan. 
• When hot. Pour in the onions and saute till they start to soften. 
• Add in mushrooms and garlic. Saute till mushrooms start to gain color. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step #2  

• Take meat of choice and place between 2 sheets of cling wrap and pound it to ¼ to ½ inch thick.
• Remove from cling wrap salt and pepper both sides aggressively and lay to the side on a plate or pan. Once you have all your meat pounded out and seasoned set it aside.

Step #3

• Take Cream Cheese and place into a microsafe bowl and microwave 30 seconds. ONLY till softened. (I am terrible about setting my cream cheese out early enough in the day for it to be at room temp. Or at least softened.)
• Add 2-3 Tbls of Mayonnaise
• Add grated Mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses and mix will.
• Add all seasonings here mix well.
• Stir in rough chopped fresh spinach.
• Mix in half of the mushrooms and onions. Be sure to combine well.
• Taste mixture and make adjustments as you see fit to seasonings. You’ll end up with a rich, creamy mushroom filling that’s absolutely irresistible.

Step #4

• Now if you used Chicken then it should take 2-3 heaping Tablespoons of filling place in the center and fold the sides in to cover filling. Repeat till filling or pounded meat is gone.

See the Notes Section Below:

I’m going to add some recommendations to try. (I will be trying some of them as well. When I do I will add the recipe to my site.) However, I will continue the recipe as I made it the first time.

Step #4 Continued

• Line a Cookie Sheet or Baking Dish with Parchment Paper and spray with olive oil.
• Place stuffed pocket on pan seam side down leaving space between the stuffed pockets.
• Take additional mayonnaise and generously smear the top of each roll. (If you still have mushrooms and onions left you can divide it across the top.)
• Place in oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. Or minimum internal tempurature 165⁰

When done let rest 5 minutes before serving. 

Notes:

Now, as I tasted the filling and made slight seasoning adjustment. (personal tastes) Then my mind started to reel with how good this filling would taste if stuffed into another meat. Perhapse with different seasonings, then egg washed and rolled in a crumb. Maybe, covered with cheese. Hense, the possibilities became endless. Therefore, this section I am going to list different meats I plan on trying. Along with different seasoning mixes and coatings.

Meats (More Than Chicken):

• Cubed Steak
• London Broil – Butterflied and pounded
• Ground Meat (Any) – Seasoned, pattied out, and use cling wrap to help roll it up.
• Butterflied Pork Chops – pounded to even thickness
• Pork Steaks – May need pounded. Could even be cut in half through the middle.
• Pork Loin (Roast or chops) – I plan on using a loin roast. I am going to flay it like I am making one square of meat (like dough for cinnamon rolls). Then stuff and roll. Wrap in bacon! Yumm… Making myself hungry with that line of thinking!
• Chicken Breast – Cut in half lengthwise at least once; maybe even twice, depending on thickness and pounded.
• Turkey Breast – Sliced along the lengths and pounded

Seasonings:

I am going to keep this simple! First, make it a little Mexican by seasoning with favorite Taco Seasoning. Secondly, use your favorite marinara sauce mixed into your cheeses and Italian Seasonings. Maybe, even use you favorite Cajun seasonings. The options are as endless as your imagination. Oh! How about going more holiday and use leftover stuffing or dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy! WoW!

Cheeses:

As you can see by the seasonings, the cheeses also provide a multitude of ways to customize this one recipe into your families next traditional dish. Use PepperJack for some heat, Smoked Gouda for a smokey depth. What about Swiss, Colby, Monterey Jack, or even Brie. I personally don’t care much for sharp cheddar because it always seems to melt into a bunch of grease. Furthermore, you can always turn to blends. For example, Mexican or Taco blend, Italian blend, Pizza blends the choices are mind blowing!

Coatings:

Ok, so are you ready to let your imagination run wild. This can be another layer of flavor. Now, if you have followed the directions this far. You can choose to: a) smear it with mayonnaise or b) beat a couple eggs to use as a coating for the stuffed pocket. Brush or roll stuffed pockets in egg and then coat with one of the following ideas.

• Pile it high with some of the shredded cheese that you used in the stuffing pocket mixture.
• Next option, if you are looking for an easy way out choose any of a variety of panko or bread crumbs.
• Herb Seasoned Stove Top Stuffing; blitz it in a food processor and make a crumb out of it.
• Flavored Pork Rinds make for a fantastic low-carb option if you’re going for a low carb stuffed version. Crush in a baggie or use the food processor here also. Want a little spice try the Hot-n-Spicy Pork rinds but be prepared they can provide quite a kick!
• Use the same technique with favorite crackers.
• Be adventurous and blitz up your favorite potatoe chips. I can’t wait to try the Nacho Cheese Doritos’ on a mexican inspired stuffed pocket!!
• Maybe you are a little more old fashioned and crush up corn flakes or the likes to make a crumb coat.

In Conclusion

Whether you are a traditional cook or more of an culinary advernturer I think this recipe can ease the tummy rumbles for a large majority of the population. I would love to hear from you and the combination that you created for your hungry bunch. And what tweaks and tricks you used in your creation. And what a great way to lessen the stress of Hidden Cost of Having A JOB! And if you would like to learn more about an Amazing Plan B Register Here.

Just visit my Contact Us page and find my information and drop me an email! Don’t forget to include pictures. And if you would like to include a little back story in your email maybe I will write it up and add it to my site.