Creamy Comfort Chicken Bake Recipe
Creamy Comfort Chicken Bake is a warm and hearty dish featuring tender chicken baked in a rich, creamy sauce with melted cheese and savory seasonings. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, this casserole-style bake combines simple ingredients to deliver a satisfying and comforting meal with minimal preparation.
- Author: Mick
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Cream Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp butter
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasoning
- 1 tsp dried Italian herbs (basil, oregano, thyme)
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the ideal temperature for baking the chicken evenly and allowing the sauce to thicken properly.
- Prepare the cream sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and add minced garlic. Sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in heavy cream and chicken broth, then season with salt, black pepper, dried Italian herbs, paprika, and onion powder. Simmer gently for 5 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens.
- Arrange the chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a baking dish, making sure they are evenly spaced for uniform cooking.
- Combine and assemble: Pour the prepared cream sauce over the chicken breasts, ensuring all pieces are well coated. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese evenly on top.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the center of the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F/75°C) and the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
- Rest and serve: Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken thighs for a juicier texture.
- Adding vegetables like mushrooms or spinach can enhance the dish’s flavor and nutrition.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with cold water and stir it into the cream sauce before pouring over the chicken.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
Keywords: chicken bake, creamy chicken casserole, easy chicken dinner, baked chicken with cheese, comfort food