Cheesy Baked Chicken With Mushrooms (Printable)
Tender chicken baked with melted mozzarella, parmesan, and savory mushrooms for an easy, flavorful dinner.
# What You Need:
→ Meats
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
→ Vegetables
02 - 8 oz cremini or white mushrooms, sliced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Dairy
04 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
05 - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
06 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
→ Liquids
07 - ⅓ cup chicken broth
→ Spices & Herbs
08 - 1 tsp dried thyme (or 1 tbsp fresh)
09 - 1 tsp paprika
10 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
→ Oils
11 - 1 tbsp olive oil
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil or nonstick spray.
02 - Season chicken breasts generously with salt, pepper, paprika, and dried thyme on both sides.
03 - In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter with olive oil. Add mushrooms and sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened and lightly browned. Stir in minced garlic; cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
04 - Remove mushrooms from heat. Arrange seasoned chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish. Spread sautéed mushrooms evenly over the chicken. Pour chicken broth around the chicken, not over the top.
05 - Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan evenly over the chicken and mushrooms.
06 - Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
07 - Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The golden cheese crust that forms on top is absolutely irresistible and makes everyone ask for seconds
- Everything comes together in one pan with just fifteen minutes of prep work
- Leftovers reheat beautifully for lunch the next day, if there are any
02 -
- Pouring the broth around the chicken instead of over it prevents the cheese from becoming soggy
- Letting the chicken rest before cutting is crucial or all those juices will run out onto the plate
- A meat thermometer takes all the guesswork out of knowing when the chicken is perfectly cooked
03 -
- Pound the chicken breasts to even thickness before seasoning for more uniform cooking
- Use freshly grated Parmesan instead of pregrated for better melting and flavor