Description
This Easy Cream Cheese Chicken recipe is a creamy, comforting one-pan dish featuring tender chicken strips sautéed with mushrooms and onions, then simmered in a velvety cream cheese and chicken broth sauce, topped with melted mozzarella. Served over steamed rice, it’s a quick weeknight dinner that’s both satisfying and flavorful.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Vegetables
- 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 8 oz. white button mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into strips
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce and Toppings
- 4 oz. regular or reduced-fat plain cream cheese
- 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
To Serve
- Steamed brown or white rice
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Heat the skillet: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil, coating the bottom evenly.
- Sauté vegetables: Add chopped onions and sliced mushrooms to the pan. Cook for 4-5 minutes until they soften and release their moisture. Add minced garlic and sauté for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Prepare chicken: While the vegetables cook, slice the chicken breasts into strips and season them with kosher salt and black pepper evenly.
- Sear the chicken: Increase heat to medium-high and add the seasoned chicken strips to the skillet. Cook for 6-8 minutes, turning once, until the chicken strips develop a golden-brown sear and are almost cooked through.
- Create the sauce: Reduce heat to medium. Add the cream cheese and low-sodium chicken broth to the skillet. Stir continuously until the cream cheese melts completely and forms a creamy sauce incorporating the chicken pieces.
- Add mozzarella and finish cooking: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly over the pan. Cover the skillet, reduce heat to low, and cook for another 2-3 minutes or until the chicken reaches 165°F and the cheese is melted. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve: Spoon the creamy chicken and mushrooms over steamed brown or white rice. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired, and serve immediately.
Notes
- You can use reduced-fat cream cheese and mozzarella to lighten the dish.
- Make sure chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F for safety.
- Serve with steamed rice to soak up the creamy sauce, or try with mashed potatoes or pasta for a different twist.
- Fresh parsley adds a bright, fresh flavor but can be omitted if unavailable.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to control salt content.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 recipe with rice)
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: cream cheese chicken, easy chicken recipe, creamy chicken, chicken with mushrooms, one pan chicken dinner, quick chicken recipe
