Get ready to transform your weeknight dinner routine with this unbelievably easy and incredibly delicious baked cream cheese chicken. This recipe delivers perfectly juicy chicken breasts topped with a rich, savory, and garlicky cream cheese mixture that bakes into a golden, bubbly masterpiece. It’s a low-carb, keto-friendly dish that the whole family will request again and again. Forget complicated steps or long ingredient lists; this is pure comfort food made simple.
We’re skipping the tedious step of stuffing the chicken. Instead, we’ll slather a luscious cream cheese and Parmesan topping right over the chicken breasts, sealing in the juices and creating a built-in sauce as it bakes. It’s the perfect solution for a busy evening when you crave something special without the extra work.
Why This Baked Cream Cheese Chicken Recipe is a Winner
If you’re looking for a recipe that’s high on flavor and low on effort, you’ve found it. This dish is designed to be a go-to favorite for any home cook.
Incredibly Simple: With just a few common ingredients and less than 15 minutes of prep time, this dish is a true lifesaver on busy nights.
Packed with Flavor: The combination of tangy cream cheese, sharp Parmesan, fresh garlic, and herbs creates a savory topping that perfectly complements the tender chicken.
Juicy & Tender Guaranteed: The creamy topping acts as a barrier, locking in moisture and ensuring your chicken bakes up perfectly juicy and never dry.
Versatile & Family-Friendly: It’s naturally low-carb and keto-friendly, but it’s also a universal crowd-pleaser. Kids and adults alike will love this creamy, cheesy chicken. For a complete meal, pair it with some of our cheesy garlic breadsticks.
The perfect bite: creamy, savory, and incredibly tender.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this recipe lies in its simplicity. You only need a handful of staple ingredients to create this fantastic meal.
Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are ideal. Try to select breasts that are similar in size for even cooking.
Cream Cheese: Use full-fat, block-style cream cheese for the best texture and flavor. It should be softened to room temperature for easy mixing.
Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan will melt better and provide a richer, nuttier flavor than pre-shredded varieties.
Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is a must for a robust, aromatic flavor.
Fresh Herbs: A combination of chopped chives and parsley adds a touch of freshness and color. You can substitute with dried herbs if needed.
Seasonings: A simple mix of salt, black pepper, and paprika for the chicken.
Olive Oil: To coat the chicken and prevent it from sticking to the pan.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create the perfect baked cream cheese chicken every single time.
Preheat and Prepare: First, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel, which helps them sear nicely and allows the seasonings to stick.
Season the Chicken: Drizzle the chicken with olive oil and season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and paprika. Place them in a single layer in a baking dish.
Mix the Topping: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, grated Parmesan, minced garlic, chopped chives, and parsley. Mix until everything is well-combined and smooth.
Top the Chicken: Evenly spread the cream cheese mixture over the top of each chicken breast, covering the entire surface.
Bake to Perfection: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F or 74°C) and the topping is golden and bubbly.
Rest and Serve: Let the chicken rest in the baking dish for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a tender bite. Spoon any pan sauces over the top when serving.
Look at that perfectly juicy, creamy topping!
Tips for the Juiciest, Most Flavorful Chicken
Want to elevate your baked cream cheese chicken? Keep these expert tips in mind.
Use Room Temperature Cream Cheese: Make sure your cream cheese is fully softened. This is crucial for a smooth, lump-free topping that’s easy to spread.
Don’t Overbake: The key to juicy chicken is not to overcook it. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness at the 20-minute mark.
Pound the Chicken: For perfectly even cooking, gently pound the thicker end of the chicken breasts to a more uniform thickness.
Let it Rest: A 5-minute rest after baking is essential. It makes all the difference between a juicy and a dry chicken breast.
Delicious Flavor Variations
This recipe is a fantastic base for customization. Feel free to get creative with these delicious add-ins to the cream cheese mixture.
Spinach and Artichoke: Add 1/2 cup of chopped frozen spinach (thawed and squeezed dry) and 1/2 cup of chopped artichoke hearts for a classic dip-inspired twist.
Bacon and Cheddar: Mix in 4 slices of cooked, crumbled bacon and substitute the Parmesan with sharp cheddar cheese.
Spicy Jalapeño Popper: Add 1-2 finely diced jalapeños (seeds removed for less heat) and 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese for a spicy kick.
Sun-Dried Tomato and Basil: Stir in 1/4 cup of chopped oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes and 2 tablespoons of fresh chopped basil for a Mediterranean flair.
What to Serve with Creamy Baked Chicken
This baked cream cheese chicken pairs beautifully with a variety of sides. Serve it over pasta, rice, or zucchini noodles to soak up the delicious pan sauce. For a complete meal, try it with steamed asparagus, roasted broccoli, or a simple green salad.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the chicken in an oven-safe dish and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through. Avoid the microwave, as it can make the chicken rubbery and cause the sauce to separate.
The best way to prevent dry chicken is to use a meat thermometer and cook it until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). The cream cheese topping also acts as a protective layer, sealing in moisture. Finally, letting the chicken rest for 5 minutes after baking is crucial for juicy results.
Baking at a relatively high temperature of 400°F (200°C) is ideal. This allows the chicken to cook through quickly without drying out, while also helping the cream cheese topping get golden and bubbly.
Absolutely! You can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts. They are naturally juicier, so they work very well. You may need to add 5-10 minutes to the cooking time, ensuring they also reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
This dish is very versatile. For low-carb options, serve it with steamed green beans, roasted asparagus, or a side salad. It’s also delicious with mashed potatoes, pasta, or rice to soak up the creamy pan sauces.
Yes, you can assemble the dish ahead of time. Prepare the chicken and spread the cream cheese topping, then cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to cook, you may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time since it will be starting from cold.
More Delicious Chicken Dinners to Try
If you loved this recipe, be sure to check out some of our other family-favorite chicken dishes! Our Creamy Garlic Chicken is another fantastic one-pan wonder, and this Chicken and Broccoli Casserole is the ultimate comfort food.
Your New Favorite Weeknight Meal
This baked cream cheese chicken is more than just a recipe; it’s a solution for busy weeknights, a crowd-pleasing dinner, and a dish you’ll be proud to serve. It’s simple, elegant, and packed with so much flavor, it’s destined to become a staple in your kitchen. If you make it, we’d love to see! Share your creations with us on Pinterest.
This is about to become your new favorite weeknight dinner!
Baked Cream Cheese Chicken
FL Recipes
Baked Cream Cheese Chicken (The Easiest, Creamiest Recipe!)
This Baked Cream Cheese Chicken is the ultimate easy weeknight dinner! Juicy chicken breasts are topped with a savory garlic and herb cream cheese mixture and baked to golden, bubbly perfection. A low-carb, keto-friendly recipe ready in 30 minutes.
4boneless, skinless chicken breastsabout 6 oz each
1tablespoonolive oil
1teaspoonpaprika
1/2teaspoonsaltor to taste
1/4teaspoonblack pepperor to taste
8ozcream cheesesoftened to room temperature
1/2cupgrated Parmesan cheese
3clovesgarlicminced
2tablespoonsfresh chiveschopped
1tablespoonfresh parsleychopped
Equipment
1 Baking Dish (9x13 inch)
1 Mixing Bowl
1 Meat Thermometer
Method
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel.
Drizzle the chicken with olive oil and season both sides with paprika, salt, and pepper. Arrange the chicken in a single layer in a 9x13 inch baking dish.
In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, grated Parmesan, minced garlic, chopped chives, and parsley. Mix until smooth and well-combined.
Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the top of each chicken breast.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). The topping should be golden and bubbly.
Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
Calories: 410kcalProtein: 40gFat: 25gFiber: 1g
Notes
Tip 1: For best results, use full-fat, block-style cream cheese. It melts better and creates a richer sauce. Tip 2: Don't have fresh herbs? You can substitute with 1 teaspoon of dried parsley and 1.5 teaspoons of dried chives. Tip 3: A meat thermometer is the best way to ensure your chicken is perfectly cooked and not dry.
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
