Description
Baked cream cheese chicken delivers comfort straight from your kitchen, melting creamy cheese into tender chicken for a simple weeknight dinner that feels special. Weeknight cooking becomes effortless with this delicious protein-packed meal your family will definitely request again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Dairy:
- 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley
Instructions
- Fire up your oven to 375°F and coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with 1 tablespoon olive oil for easy release.
- Grab a mixing bowl and blend 8 oz softened cream cheese with 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tablespoon chopped chives, 1 teaspoon paprika, plus salt and pepper until silky smooth.
- Arrange 4 chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish and generously season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture completely over each chicken breast, creating an even layer that covers the entire surface.
- Carefully pour ½ cup chicken broth around the chicken breasts, ensuring liquid surrounds but does not cover the meat.
- Slide the baking dish into the 375°F oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- For extra richness, sprinkle ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese on top during the final 5 minutes of baking.
- Remove from the oven and let rest for 3-4 minutes, then garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- Softened cream cheese blends more smoothly and spreads easier, so remove it from the refrigerator 30 minutes before preparing the recipe.
- Choose thick chicken breasts that are similar in size to ensure even cooking and prevent dry edges.
- For a lower-fat version, substitute Greek yogurt for half the cream cheese and use skinless chicken breasts.
- Checking the chicken’s internal temperature with a meat thermometer guarantees perfectly cooked, juicy meat without overcooking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 363 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 408 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 93 mg