Baked Cream Cheese Chicken (Printer-Friendly)

Tender chicken with creamy cheese and fragrant seasonings baked to golden, bubbly perfection.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Poultry

01 - 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz each)

→ Cheese Mixture

02 - 113 g (4 oz) cream cheese, softened
03 - 113 g (1 cup) shredded whole milk mozzarella cheese
04 - 50 g (1/2 cup) grated Parmesan cheese

→ Seasonings

05 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
07 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
08 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
09 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Finishing

10 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)

→ Cooking

11 - 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

# Steps to Make This:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure even baking and perfect cheese melting.
02 - In a medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. Blend until smooth and uniform.
03 - Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides evenly with kosher salt and black pepper to enhance searing.
04 - Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken breasts for 3–4 minutes per side until deep golden crust forms, locking in moisture.
05 - Remove skillet from heat and evenly spread the cheese mixture over each chicken breast, pressing gently to adhere.
06 - Transfer skillet to preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the topping is bubbly and golden.
07 - Allow chicken to rest for a few minutes to redistribute juices. Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving, if desired.

# Additional Notes:

01 - Searing the chicken before baking seals in juices while the cheese topping locks in moisture, ensuring tender and flavorful results.
02 - Use an oven-safe skillet to streamline the cooking process and minimize cleanup.