Cheesy Baked Chicken Breast (Printable Version)

Tender chicken breasts baked with melted cheese and crispy breadcrumbs for a simple, satisfying dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

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

→ Seasonings

02 - 1 tsp garlic powder
03 - 1 tsp onion powder
04 - 1/2 tsp paprika
05 - 1/2 tsp salt
06 - 1/4 tsp 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 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
11 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

→ For greasing

12 - 1 tbsp olive oil or nonstick spray

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil or nonstick spray.
02 - Pat chicken breasts dry using paper towels and arrange them evenly in the greased 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 together and evenly distribute over the seasoned chicken breasts.
05 - In a separate bowl, combine breadcrumbs with melted butter. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the cheese layer on the chicken.
06 - Bake in the preheated oven for 22 to 25 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked (internal temperature of 165°F) and the topping is golden and bubbly.
07 - Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The crispy cheese topping creates this incredible texture contrast that makes every bite interesting
  • It comes together in under ten minutes of prep but tastes like something from a restaurant
  • Leftovers reheat beautifully for lunch the next day
02 -
  • Dry the chicken really well with paper towels or the seasoning wont stick properly
  • Use freshly grated cheese if you can because pre-shredded has anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting
  • Letting it rest is not optional or the juices will run out onto the plate
03 -
  • Let the chicken come to room temperature for twenty minutes before cooking for even results
  • Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking because dry chicken is sad chicken
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