Smothered Chicken with Jack Cheese Recipe
This Smothered Chicken with Jack Cheese recipe features juicy, tender chicken breasts smothered in a creamy, garlicky sauce with melted shredded jack cheese. Baked to perfection, this comforting and flavorful dish is perfect for a hearty dinner that’s easy to prepare and sure to please the whole family.
- Author: Sienna
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing and Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Salt
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Sauce & Seasoning
- 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 cup shredded jack cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and spray a baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking during baking.
- Sear Chicken: In a large skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt and pepper. Once the butter is hot, sear the chicken breasts for 5-6 minutes on each side until they develop a golden-brown crust.
- Add Garlic and Paprika: Reduce the heat slightly and stir in the minced garlic and paprika. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring frequently, until the garlic is fragrant but not burnt.
- Create Sauce: Pour the heavy cream and chicken broth into the skillet with the chicken. Gently simmer the mixture while scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet to enrich the sauce. Allow it to cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Top with Cheese and Bake: Transfer the chicken and sauce to the prepared baking dish if not already in an oven-safe skillet. Sprinkle shredded jack cheese evenly over the top of the chicken. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese melts and slightly browns.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the dish from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute. Serve warm with your favorite side dishes.
Notes
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken breasts in a little garlic powder and paprika ahead of searing.
- You can substitute jack cheese with Monterey Jack or a mild cheddar for variation.
- Pair with steamed vegetables or rice for a complete meal.
- If preferred, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter sauce, though the sauce will be less rich.
- Make sure not to overcook the chicken during searing to keep it juicy after baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0.3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
Keywords: smothered chicken, jack cheese chicken recipe, creamy chicken bake, baked chicken breasts, easy chicken dinner