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Cream Cheese Chicken Bake

A creamy, oven-baked chicken casserole featuring tender chicken breasts, tangy cream cheese, and savory seasonings for a rich and family-friendly weeknight dinner.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 420
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 to 2 pounds)
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened Use full-fat cream cheese for best texture.
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese Plus 1/2 cup for topping.
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt Adjust to taste.
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (optional) Helps thicken the sauce.
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Let cream cheese soften on the counter for a few minutes.
Cooking
  1. Season chicken by patting dry and seasoning with salt, pepper, paprika, and onion powder.
  2. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 1-2 minutes per side until lightly golden, if desired.
  3. In a bowl, whisk together cream cheese, sour cream, chicken broth, garlic, thyme, and flour (if using) until mostly smooth.
  4. Fold in 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
  5. Lay seasoned or seared chicken breasts in a single layer in the baking dish.
  6. Spoon the cream cheese mixture evenly over the chicken.
  7. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Add 5-8 minutes if chicken pieces are thick.
  8. Optionally sprinkle 1/2 cup cheddar over the top in the last 5 minutes of baking.
  9. Let the dish rest for 5 minutes and sprinkle with chopped parsley before serving.

Notes

Use room-temperature cream cheese for a smooth sauce. For a lighter sauce, substitute half the cream cheese with Greek yogurt after baking. If short on time, skip searing and bake from cold. To add crunch, mix panko crumbs with melted butter in the last 8 minutes.