Creamy Cheese and Herb Chicken Bake

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Creamy Cheese and Herb Chicken Bake, a rich and flavorful dish that's perfect for weeknight dinners or special gatherings. Juicy, seared chicken breasts are nestled in a luxurious garlic-infused cream sauce made with cream cheese, Parmesan, and a medley of dried Italian herbs, then baked to perfection under a golden, bubbly layer of mozzarella cheese. Fresh spinach and sweet cherry tomatoes add a burst of color and nutrients, complementing the creamy richness of the dish. Finished with a sprinkle of fresh basil, this easy skillet-to-oven recipe is as beautiful to serve as it is delicious to eat. Pair it with crusty bread or a crisp green salad for a meal that’s guaranteed to impress family and friends. Keywords: Creamy Cheese and Herb Chicken Bake, cheesy chicken bake, easy chicken dinner, skillet chicken recipe, Italian-inspired chicken dish.

Nutriscore Rating: 60/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 pieces boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 tablespoon dried Italian herbs
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 0.25 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

Step 2

Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and garlic powder on both sides.

Step 3

In a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil and sear the chicken breasts for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove from the skillet and set aside.

Step 4

In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and melt the butter. Stir in the flour to form a roux and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.

Step 5

Gradually whisk in the chicken broth, ensuring there are no lumps. Slowly add the heavy cream and continue to stir for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens.

Step 6

Stir in the cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, and Italian herbs until the mixture is smooth and creamy.

Step 7

Add the fresh spinach and cherry tomatoes to the sauce, stirring until the spinach wilts slightly.

Step 8

Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, spoon the sauce over the top, and sprinkle the mozzarella cheese evenly across the top.

Step 9

Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese on top is bubbly and golden.

Step 10

Remove from the oven, sprinkle with fresh basil, and serve hot.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1792.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3451.5

Total Fat 232.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 118.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.4g
Cholesterol 1150.9mg	0%
Sodium 5467.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 36.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 6.0g	0%
Total Sugars 10.7g
Protein 272.8g	0%

Vitamin D 39.3IU	0%
Calcium 1613.1mg	0%
Iron 14.6mg	0%
Potassium 2729.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 62.9%

Protein: 32.8%

Carbs: 4.3%