Cheesy Baked Chicken Breast (Printable Page)

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

# What You 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 (approximately 3.5 oz)
08 - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (approximately 1.75 oz)
09 - 1/2 cup panko or regular breadcrumbs (approximately 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 cooking spray

# Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil or nonstick spray.
02 - Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels, then arrange evenly in the prepared baking dish.
03 - Mix garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Sprinkle evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts.
04 - Combine mozzarella and cheddar cheeses in a bowl. Spread the cheese mixture evenly over the seasoned chicken breasts.
05 - In a separate bowl, mix breadcrumbs with melted butter. Sprinkle this mixture evenly atop the cheese layer.
06 - Place baking dish in oven and bake for 22 to 25 minutes, until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and topping is golden and bubbly.
07 - Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Optionally garnish with chopped fresh parsley.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It turns plain chicken breasts into something that feels like a treat but comes together in under 40 minutes
  • The combination of melted cheese and crispy breadcrumbs creates that perfect texture contrast everyone loves
02 -
  • Dont skip patting the chicken dry or the seasoning wont stick properly and youll end up with bland spots
  • Letting it rest for 5 minutes makes a huge difference in juiciness even if youre eager to eat
03 -
  • Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking which is the main reason chicken breasts turn dry
  • Let the butter cool slightly before mixing with breadcrumbs so they coat evenly instead of clumping together
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