Cheesy Mozzarella Chicken Bake is a mouth-watering dish that combines tender chicken breasts with a rich and creamy cheese sauce, topped with melted mozzarella cheese and baked to perfection. This comforting recipe is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a weekend treat, and can be easily customized to suit your taste preferences. With its combination of savory chicken, gooey cheese, and crispy breadcrumb topping, this bake is sure to become a family favorite. By following this recipe, you'll learn how to create a delicious and satisfying Cheesy Mozzarella Chicken Bake that's sure to impress even the pickiest of eaters.
Ingredients:
* 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
* 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
* 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
* 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon paprika
* 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 cup chicken broth
* 1 cup heavy cream
* 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (for topping)
* Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Cooking Steps:
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a shallow dish, mix together flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Dip each chicken breast into the flour mixture, coating both sides evenly.
4. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the coated chicken breasts and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until browned.
5. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
6. In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, or until fragrant.
7. Sprinkle the grated mozzarella and parmesan cheese over the garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
8. Stir in the chicken broth and heavy cream, bringing the mixture to a simmer.
9. Add the cooked chicken breasts back into the skillet and spoon the cheese sauce over the top of each breast.
10. Transfer the chicken breasts to a 9×13-inch baking dish and top with additional shredded mozzarella cheese.
11. Bake the chicken for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
12. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with chopped parsley, if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!
Tips:
* To make the dish more flavorful, sprinkle some dried herbs (such as thyme or oregano) over the chicken breasts before baking.
* For an extra crispy topping, sprinkle some breadcrumbs over the mozzarella cheese before baking.
* To make a spicy version, add some red pepper flakes to the cheese sauce or sprinkle some diced jalapeños on top of the chicken breasts.
* This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to feed a larger crowd.
Variations:
* Italian-style: Add some chopped sun-dried tomatoes or fresh basil to the cheese sauce for a Mediterranean twist.
* Spicy: Add some diced jalapeños or red pepper flakes to the cheese sauce for an extra kick.
* Garlic parmesan: Increase the amount of garlic powder and add some grated parmesan cheese to the breadcrumb topping.
* Mediterranean: Add some chopped feta cheese, Kalamata olives, and artichoke hearts to the cheese sauce for a Mediterranean-inspired flavor.