Crunchy Chicken Cheese Bake

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Crunchy Chicken Cheese Bake, a mouthwatering casserole that perfectly balances savory flavors and irresistible textures. Tender, juicy chicken breasts are seasoned and seared to perfection before being smothered in a creamy blend of cream cheese, mozzarella, and cheddar. The dish is crowned with a buttery topping of crushed Ritz crackers for a delightfully crispy crust that bakes to golden brown perfection. Ready in just 45 minutes, this easy-to-make recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or a cozy family dinner. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color and serve alongside your favorite sides for a crowd-pleasing meal that oozes with cheesy goodness.

Nutriscore Rating: 38/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 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
• 8 ounces cream cheese
• 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1.5 cups Ritz crackers
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Step 2

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

Step 3

Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sear the chicken breasts for 2-3 minutes on each side until lightly browned but not fully cooked. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 4

In a medium bowl, mix the cream cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, and shredded cheddar cheese until well combined.

Step 5

Spread a spoonful of the cheese mixture over the top of each seared chicken breast and arrange the chicken pieces in the prepared baking dish.

Step 6

Crush the Ritz crackers into coarse crumbs and place them in a small bowl. Melt the butter and pour it over the crumbs, stirring until evenly coated.

Step 7

Sprinkle the buttery cracker crumbs over the cheese-topped chicken breasts, ensuring all pieces are evenly covered.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cracker topping is golden brown and the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F/74°C).

Step 9

Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Step 10

Garnish with chopped parsley, if desired, and serve hot with your favorite side dishes.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(653.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2665.8

Total Fat 232.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 120.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.0g
Cholesterol 563.6mg	0%
Sodium 5485.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 64.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 0.6g	0%
Total Sugars 12.5g
Protein 89.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 2259.7mg	0%
Iron 3.7mg	0%
Potassium 353.7mg	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: 77.2%

Protein: 13.2%

Carbs: 9.6%