Cheesy Baked Chicken Breast (Printable)

Tender chicken breasts baked with melted cheese and crispy breadcrumbs for a flavorful meal.

# Ingredient List:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 5.3 oz each)

→ Seasonings

02 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
03 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
04 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika
05 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
06 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Topping

07 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (about 3.5 oz)
08 - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (about 1.75 oz)
09 - 1/2 cup panko or regular breadcrumbs (about 1.6 oz)
10 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
11 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

→ For greasing

12 - 1 tablespoon olive oil or nonstick spray

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil or nonstick spray.
02 - Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels and arrange them evenly in the prepared baking dish.
03 - Combine garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Evenly sprinkle the seasoning mixture over both sides of the chicken breasts.
04 - Mix shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheeses. Sprinkle this cheese blend evenly over the seasoned chicken breasts.
05 - In a separate bowl, mix breadcrumbs with melted butter. Distribute the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the cheese layer.
06 - Place the baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the topping is golden and bubbly.
07 - Remove from oven and allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The contrast between juicy chicken and that crispy, cheesy topping hits every satisfaction button at once
  • It comes together in under ten minutes of actual work but tastes like you put real thought into dinner
  • Leftovers reheat surprisingly well for lunch the next day, if you somehow have any remaining
02 -
  • Overcrowding the baking dish traps steam and makes the topping soggy instead of crispy
  • Underbaking leads to rubbery chicken so invest in a cheap meat thermometer if you cook chicken regularly
03 -
  • Pound thicker breasts to an even thickness so they finish cooking at the same time
  • Let the chicken sit at room temperature for twenty minutes before baking for more even cooking
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