Description
Savory Cream Cheese Chicken delivers pure comfort right to your dinner table, blending tender chicken with a creamy, tangy sauce that makes weeknight meals feel special. Grab some simple ingredients and prepare a delicious meal your family will devour in minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Dairy:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
Seasonings and Herbs:
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare your workspace by preheating the oven to 375F. Coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Arrange 4 chicken breasts in the prepared dish. Dust both sides with ½ tsp smoked paprika, salt, and pepper for a flavor boost.
- Grab a mixing bowl and combine 8 oz softened cream cheese, ¼ cup mayonnaise, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tsp Italian seasoning. Whip until the mixture transforms into a smooth, creamy blend.
- Generously spread the cream cheese mixture across each chicken breast, creating an even layer that covers the entire surface.
- Sprinkle 1 cup mozzarella and ¼ cup Parmesan cheese over the chicken, ensuring complete coverage for a golden, cheesy top.
- Shield the dish with aluminum foil and slide into the 375F oven. Bake for 20 minutes to lock in moisture.
- Remove the foil and continue baking for 10-15 minutes until the cheese turns golden and bubbly. Verify the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165F with a meat thermometer.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after removing from the oven. This allows the juices to redistribute, keeping your meat tender.
- Optional: Scatter 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley on top for a bright, fresh garnish before serving.
Notes
- Select thick, even chicken breasts to ensure consistent cooking and prevent dry edges.
- Soften cream cheese at room temperature for 30 minutes to create a smoother, easier-to-spread mixture.
- For a lower-fat version, swap full-fat cream cheese with reduced-fat or Greek yogurt cream cheese.
- Fresh garlic provides more robust flavor than pre-minced jarred garlic, so mince your own when possible.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 347 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg