Description
Mouthwatering cream cheese chicken enchants dinner tables with rich, creamy flavors. Savory seasonings and tender chicken create a memorable meal that draws families together for a comforting experience.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
- 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated
- ¼ cup mayonnaise or sour cream
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs (optional, for extra crunch)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp butter, melted
- 1 tbsp parsley, fresh and chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 375F (190C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent adherence.
- Seasoning: Pat chicken breasts dry and generously season with salt, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder, ensuring complete coverage on both surfaces.
- Creamy Coating: In a mixing bowl, blend cream cheese, mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, parmesan, and mozzarella until smooth, then lavishly spread the mixture across each chicken breast.
- Crispy Topping: Mix panko breadcrumbs, additional parmesan, and melted butter until well combined, then evenly sprinkle the buttery breadcrumb mixture over the cream cheese-covered chicken.
- Baking: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and roast for 25-30 minutes, checking that the chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165F (75C).
- Finishing Touch: If the topping lacks a golden-brown appearance, activate the broiler for 2-3 minutes to achieve a crisp, enticing crust.
- Resting and Serving: Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes, enabling juice redistribution and flavor melding, then garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately with roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or preferred pasta.
Notes
- Manage Moisture Carefully: Pat chicken breasts completely dry before seasoning to prevent excess liquid that could make the topping soggy and compromise the crispy texture.
- Control Cheese Consistency: Ensure cream cheese is softened at room temperature for smooth blending, avoiding lumpy or uneven coating that disrupts the dish’s creamy profile.
- Customize Breadcrumb Layer: Toast panko breadcrumbs slightly before adding to enhance crunchiness and develop a deeper, nuttier flavor that elevates the overall dish’s texture.
- Watch Broiling Closely: Monitor the golden-brown topping during the final broiling stage, as just seconds can transform from perfectly crisp to burnt – remove immediately when achieving desired color and crunch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 399
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 705 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 91 mg