Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Baked Cream Cheese Chicken
- What You'll Need
- How to Make Baked Cream Cheese Chicken
- Aliana's Top Tip
- Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
- Storage & Reheating Instructions
- What to Serve With Baked Cream Cheese Chicken
- FAQs About Baked Cream Cheese Chicken
- More Recipes You'll Love
- Creamy Baked Cream Cheese Chicken Recipe
- Pairing
- More DINNER
This baked cream cheese chicken is one of those dinners that feels fancy but takes almost no effort. Juicy chicken breasts smothered in a rich, creamy sauce with melted cheese on top. My family asks for this at least twice a month. The first time I made it, my daughter said it tasted like restaurant food, and my husband went back for seconds before I even sat down. It's comfort food at its best, and you only need a handful of ingredients to make it happen.
Why You'll Love This Baked Cream Cheese Chicken
This is the best cream cheese chicken recipe because it's incredibly flavorful and comes together in one dish. The cream cheese makes the sauce luxuriously smooth, and the chicken stays perfectly tender. My sister swears by this for busy weeknights because you can prep it in minutes and let the oven do the work.
It's also kid friendly, budget friendly, and fancy enough for company. Plus, this easy weeknight dinner uses simple ingredients you probably already have. No complicated steps, just pure cheesy deliciousness that everyone will love.
What You'll Need
Just grab some basic ingredients and you're set. This is the kind of recipe that doesn't require a special trip to the store.
Main Ingredients
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Cream cheese
- Garlic
- Heavy cream
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Parmesan cheese
- Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper
- Olive oil
- Fresh parsley
Optional Extras
You can add spinach for extra veggies, swap mozzarella for cheddar if that's what you have, or throw in some sun-dried tomatoes for a Mediterranean twist.
The full recipe is in the card below.
How to Make Baked Cream Cheese Chicken
Prep the Chicken
Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning on both sides. Pat them dry first so the seasoning sticks better and they brown nicely in the oven.
Make the Cream Sauce
Mix softened cream cheese, minced garlic, heavy cream, and half the parmesan in a bowl until smooth. This creamy base is what makes the whole dish so rich and delicious. My mom always says good sauce makes good chicken.
Arrange in Baking Dish
Place seasoned chicken breasts in a greased baking dish. Pour the cream cheese mixture over the top, making sure each piece is well coated. The sauce will bubble up around the chicken as it bakes.
Add the Cheese
Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and the remaining parmesan generously over everything. Don't be shy with the cheese, that golden bubbly top is what makes this dish irresistible.
Q: Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes, absolutely. Chicken thighs work great and stay even more moist. Just adjust the baking time slightly since thighs can take a bit longer to cook through.
Bake Until Golden
Bake at 375°F for about 25-30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is golden and bubbly. The internal temperature should hit 165°F. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Garnish and Serve
Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley on top for color and freshness. Serve this creamy baked chicken over rice, pasta, or with crusty bread to soak up all that amazing sauce.
Aliana's Top Tip
Don't use cold cream cheese straight from the fridge.
Let it soften at room temperature for about 30 minutes, or microwave it for 10-15 seconds.
Soft cream cheese mixes way easier and creates a smoother sauce.
Also, if your chicken breasts are really thick, slice them in half horizontally so they cook evenly.
Nobody wants dry chicken on the outside and raw in the middle.
Follow Aliana on Pinterest →Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
Use half and half instead of heavy cream if you want something lighter. Swap Italian seasoning for Cajun spice for a totally different flavor. Add cream cheese stuffed inside the chicken breast for an extra creamy surprise. For a low carb version, serve this over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles instead of pasta.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Store leftover baked cream cheese chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or reheat the whole dish covered in a 350°F oven for about 15 minutes. The sauce might thicken up when cold, so add a splash of milk or cream when reheating.
What to Serve With Baked Cream Cheese Chicken
This cream cheese chicken recipes dinner favorite pairs perfectly with rice, mashed potatoes, pasta, or roasted vegetables. We love it with garlic bread on the side to mop up the creamy sauce. It's also great over egg noodles or with a simple green salad. My family usually goes for rice because it soaks up all that cheesy goodness.
FAQs About Baked Cream Cheese Chicken
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes. Assemble everything in the baking dish, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Just add 5-10 minutes to the baking time since it's going in cold.
How do I keep the chicken from drying out?
Don't overbake it. Use a meat thermometer and pull it out as soon as it hits 165°F. The cream sauce also helps keep everything moist as it bakes.
Can I use frozen chicken breasts?
Thaw them completely first. Frozen chicken won't cook evenly and you'll end up with a watery sauce from all the ice melting.
What if I don't have heavy cream?
You can use half and half or whole milk, but the sauce won't be quite as rich. Add an extra tablespoon of cream cheese to help thicken it up.
More Recipes You'll Love
If you love easy chicken recipes Dinner ideas like this, you'll want to try more of my quick dinner ideas that save time without sacrificing flavor. This baked cream cheese chicken fits perfectly in the Dinner recipes and chicken recipes categories where you'll find tons of family friendly meals.
Made it your way? I'd love to see it! Tag @AlianaRecipes on Pinterest and show off your delicious version.
Creamy Baked Cream Cheese Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Pat chicken breasts dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. This ensures the flavors penetrate the meat.
- Mix softened cream cheese, minced garlic, heavy cream, and half the parmesan in a bowl until smooth and creamy with no lumps.
- Place seasoned chicken breasts in a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Space them evenly so they cook uniformly.
- Pour the cream cheese mixture over the chicken, making sure each piece is well coated. The sauce should pool around the chicken.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and remaining parmesan cheese generously over the top. This creates that golden bubbly crust everyone loves.
- Bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature and cheese is golden and bubbly on top.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. This helps the juices redistribute and makes it even more tender and flavorful.
Nutrition
Notes
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with baked cream cheese chicken Recipe:
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