Description
This Cheesy Garlic Herb Baked Cream Cheese Chicken is a decadent dinner that tastes like a restaurant indulgence but is effortless enough for a weeknight. Featuring juicy, pan-seared chicken breasts smothered in a rich herb and garlic cream cheese topping, it is baked until bubbly and golden. With savory Italian spices and a triple-cheese blend, this low-carb, high-protein meal is pure comfort food that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
The Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for searing)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
The Garlic Herb Cheese Topping
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Prep
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Season Chicken
Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with the salt and black pepper.
Make the Topping
In a medium bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese, shredded Mozzarella, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried Italian seasoning. Stir until well combined and creamy. Set aside.
Sear the Chicken
Heat the olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet (like cast iron) over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and sear for 3–4 minutes on each side until golden brown. Note: The chicken does not need to be cooked through yet; it will finish in the oven.
Top
Remove the skillet from the heat. Spread a generous amount of the prepared cream cheese mixture evenly over the top of each chicken breast, covering the surface completely.
Bake
Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the cheese topping is bubbly and slightly golden, and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Rest & Serve
Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes (this helps keep the juices inside). Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve warm.
Notes
Thickness Matters: If your chicken breasts are very uneven or thick, pound them to an even thickness before searing. This ensures they cook evenly without the cheese topping burning before the center is safe to eat.
Oven-Safe Skillet: If you don’t have a skillet that can go in the oven, simply transfer the seared chicken to a greased baking dish before adding the cheese topping.
Temperature is Key: Ensure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature (or microwaved for 15 seconds) so it mixes smoothly with the herbs. Conversely, make sure the chicken is seared hot to lock in flavor.
Keto-Friendly: This recipe is naturally low-carb and high-protein, making it an excellent choice for Keto or low-carb diets.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sear & Bake
- Cuisine: Italian-American / Low Carb
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Chicken Breast
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 52g
- Cholesterol: 185mg
Keywords: cream cheese chicken, baked chicken breast, keto chicken recipes, garlic herb chicken, cheesy chicken bake, cast iron chicken recipes, low carb dinner