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This Creamy Garlic Chicken Recipe combines tender chicken breasts with a rich, cheesy garlic topping for an easy dinner the entire family will love. Everything bakes together in one casserole dish using only seven simple ingredients.
Creamy Garlic Chicken Recipe
The creamy combination of cream cheese, Italian cheese, garlic, and seasonings keeps the chicken flavorful while it bakes. Finish each chicken breast with melted cheddar cheese for an extra-cheesy dinner that is perfect with pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or vegetables.
This is one of those comforting chicken recipes you will want to keep nearby for busy weeknights. It requires very little preparation, uses familiar ingredients, and makes delicious leftovers.
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Why You’ll Love This Creamy Garlic Chicken
- Easy to prepare in about 10 minutes
- Made with seven simple ingredients
- Baked in one casserole dish
- Rich, creamy, and cheesy
- Family-friendly garlic flavor
- Easy to serve with your favorite side dishes
- Perfect for weeknight dinners or casual entertaining
Creamy Garlic Chicken Ingredients
You only need a handful of ingredients to make this easy baked chicken dinner.
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts – Use four similarly sized chicken breasts so they cook at approximately the same rate. If your chicken breasts are especially thick, pound them to an even thickness before baking.
- Cream Cheese – Softened cream cheese is easier to combine with the shredded cheese and seasonings. Set it on the counter before beginning the recipe, or soften it briefly in the microwave.
- Shredded Italian Cheese – An Italian cheese blend creates a flavorful, creamy topping. Most Italian blends contain a combination of mozzarella, Parmesan, provolone, Romano, or Asiago cheese.
- Cheddar Cheese – Cheddar is sprinkled over the chicken during the final few minutes of baking. It melts into a warm, cheesy layer on top.
- Minced Garlic – Minced garlic gives the chicken plenty of flavor without making the finished dish overwhelmingly garlicky. Freshly minced or prepared refrigerated garlic may be used.
- Italian Seasoning – Italian seasoning adds a balanced mixture of dried herbs. You can reduce it to ½ teaspoon if your family prefers a milder flavor.
- Salt and Pepper – Season the chicken according to your taste before spreading the creamy garlic mixture over it.
How to Make Creamy Garlic Chicken
This creamy garlic chicken is baked instead of cooked on the stovetop, making it an especially easy dinner for busy nights.
1. Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly coat a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Make the Creamy Garlic Topping
Combine the softened cream cheese, shredded Italian cheese, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning in a medium mixing bowl. Stir until the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
The mixture will be thick. Softening the cream cheese first will make it much easier to mix and spread.
3. Season the Chicken
Arrange the chicken breasts in a single layer inside the prepared baking dish. Season them with salt and pepper to taste.
For the most even cooking, avoid overlapping the chicken.
4. Add the Cream Cheese Mixture
Divide the creamy garlic mixture evenly between the chicken breasts. Use a spoon or spatula to spread the mixture across the top of each piece.
5. Cover and Bake
Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for approximately 45 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
Cooking times will vary depending on the thickness of the chicken breasts. Check the thickest portion with an instant-read meat thermometer. Chicken is safely cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
6. Add the Cheddar Cheese
Carefully remove the foil and sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over each chicken breast.
Return the dish to the oven uncovered for approximately 5 minutes, or until the cheddar is completely melted. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving, if desired.
Tips for Tender, Juicy Chicken
Use Evenly Sized Chicken Breasts
Chicken breasts of different sizes will finish cooking at different times. Pound thicker pieces to a similar thickness so everything cooks more evenly.
Soften the Cream Cheese
Room-temperature cream cheese blends more smoothly with the shredded Italian cheese. It is also much easier to spread over the chicken.
Keep the Dish Covered
Covering the baking dish traps moisture while the chicken cooks. Leave it covered until you are ready to add the cheddar cheese.
Check the Temperature Early
Because the thickness of chicken breasts can vary considerably, begin checking the internal temperature before the full baking time has passed. Remove the chicken when its thickest section reaches 165°F.
Let the Chicken Rest
Allow the chicken to rest for about 5 minutes before serving. This helps the juices settle and gives the creamy topping a moment to thicken.
What to Serve With Creamy Garlic Chicken
Creamy garlic chicken can be served with almost any rice, pasta, bread, or vegetable side dish. The creamy, cheesy topping makes it especially delicious with something that can soak up the flavorful juices in the baking dish.
Try serving it with:
- Brown or white rice
- Mashed potatoes
- Buttered pasta
- Garlic bread or dinner rolls
- Roasted broccoli
- Steamed green beans
- A simple side salad
- Parmesan zucchini
- Cauliflower mash
- Zucchini noodles
My kids love this chicken with pasta, while I especially enjoy it with brown rice and a salad. Spoon some of the creamy mixture from the baking dish over the rice or pasta before serving..
Recipe Variations and Substitutions
Chicken Cutlets
Chicken cutlets work well and cook more quickly than full chicken breasts. Begin checking them early to prevent overcooking.
Boneless Chicken Thighs
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be substituted for chicken breasts. Their cooking time may be different, so rely on the internal temperature rather than the clock.
Mozzarella Cheese
If you do not have an Italian cheese blend, shredded mozzarella can be used. For extra flavor, combine it with a little grated Parmesan.
Extra Garlic
For a stronger garlic flavor, increase the minced garlic according to your preference. Avoid adding too much, as raw garlic can become sharp or bitter.
Spinach
Add a layer of well-drained cooked spinach beneath the creamy topping for extra color and vegetables.
Mushrooms
Sautéed mushrooms make a delicious addition. Cook them first to remove excess moisture before adding them to the baking dish.
More Recipes to Try Next
Creamy Garlic Chicken Recipe
Creamy Garlic Chicken Recipe
Equipment
- 9-by-13-inch baking dish
- Nonstick cooking spray
- Aluminum foil
- Medium mixing bowl
- Spoon
- Spatula
- Instant-read meat thermometer
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless, chicken breasts
- 1 cup shredded Italian blend cheese
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, or ½ teaspoon for a milder flavor
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Lightly coat a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Combine the softened cream cheese, shredded Italian cheese, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning in a medium bowl.
- Arrange the chicken breasts in a single layer inside the prepared baking dish.
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper to taste.
- Divide the creamy garlic mixture between the chicken breasts. Spread it evenly over the top of each piece.
- Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil.
- Bake for approximately 45 minutes, or until the thickest portion of the chicken reaches 165°F.
- Carefully remove the foil and sprinkle the cheddar cheese over the chicken.
- Return the dish to the oven uncovered. Bake for approximately 5 minutes, or until the cheese has melted.
- Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm.
Notes
- Cooking time depends on the thickness of the chicken breasts.
- Pound thick chicken breasts to an even thickness for more consistent cooking.
- Thin chicken cutlets will cook more quickly.
- Soften the cream cheese before mixing for a smoother, more spreadable topping.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
