Description
This Ooey Gooey Cheesy Garlic Chicken is a rich and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken breasts smothered in a creamy garlic cheese sauce made with mozzarella and cheddar. Perfect for a comforting dinner served over pasta or rice, this recipe boasts a perfect blend of Italian seasoning and buttery goodness, making it irresistibly delicious and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garlic Cheese Sauce
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels, then season generously on both sides with salt and pepper to enhance flavor.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once melted, add the chicken breasts and sear them for about 6 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: Lower the heat to medium, add the minced garlic to the skillet, and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, taking care not to burn the garlic.
- Prepare the Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream, stirring constantly to combine it with the garlic butter to form a smooth base. Then add the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, stirring continuously until the cheeses melt into a rich, creamy sauce. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Simmer Chicken in Sauce: Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the cheese sauce. Reduce the heat to low and let the chicken simmer for about 5 minutes, allowing it to absorb the flavors and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Serve: Serve the ooey gooey cheesy garlic chicken hot, spooning plenty of the luscious sauce over the top. This dish pairs wonderfully with pasta or steamed rice for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- For an extra crispy crust on the chicken, you can lightly flour the breasts before searing.
- If you prefer a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, but the sauce will be less rich.
- To add a fresh touch, garnish with chopped parsley or basil before serving.
- Make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure it is fully cooked and safe to eat.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to control salt levels in the dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Searing and Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce (approx. 6 oz)
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 410 mg
- Fat: 33 g
- Saturated Fat: 19 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg
Keywords: cheesy garlic chicken, creamy chicken recipe, mozzarella chicken, cheddar cheese chicken, Italian chicken, easy dinner recipes, creamy garlic sauce