Description
This Ooey Gooey Cheesy Garlic Chicken is a rich, creamy, and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken breasts seared to golden perfection and smothered in a luscious garlic-infused cheese sauce. Perfect for a comforting dinner, it pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, or steamed vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Sauce
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season them generously with salt and pepper on both sides to enhance the flavor.
- Sear the chicken: Heat butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for about 6 minutes on each side until they develop a golden-brown crust and reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté garlic: Add the minced garlic to the same skillet and cook for about 1 minute, stirring frequently, until fragrant but not browned to avoid bitterness.
- Make the sauce: Reduce heat to low and pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Stir constantly to combine them into a smooth sauce.
- Add cheeses and seasoning: Mix in the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, stirring until melted and creamy. Season with Italian seasoning, additional salt, and pepper to taste.
- Simmer chicken in sauce: Return the chicken breasts back to the skillet, spooning sauce over them, and let everything simmer gently for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the chicken to soak up the delicious sauce. Serve hot over pasta, rice, or your preferred side.
Notes
- Ensure chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F for safety.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to better control the saltiness of the dish.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, though the sauce will be less rich.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stove.
- Add a sprinkle of fresh parsley or basil before serving for a fresh herbaceous touch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing and simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce (about 6 oz)
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 145 mg
Keywords: cheesy garlic chicken, creamy chicken recipe, easy chicken dinner, mozzarella chicken, cheddar chicken, garlic butter chicken, skillet chicken
