Description
This Creamy Smothered Baked Chicken recipe features tender, seared chicken breasts baked in a rich, creamy sauce made with mushrooms, onions, Parmesan, and mozzarella. It’s a comforting, flavorful dish perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs), pounded to even thickness
- 1 tsp salt, plus more to taste
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Sauce
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 8 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat and Season: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear until golden brown on each side, about 3-4 minutes per side. Once seared, transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Cook Vegetables and Make Sauce: Reduce the skillet heat to medium and melt the butter. Add the sliced mushrooms and diced onion, cooking until softened, approximately 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Sprinkle the flour over the mixture and stir constantly for 1 minute to form a roux. Gradually whisk in chicken broth and heavy cream, then simmer for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and stir in Parmesan cheese and dried thyme. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
- Assemble for Baking: Nestle the seared chicken breasts back into the skillet with the sauce. Spoon additional sauce over the chicken, then sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly on top.
- Bake and Broil: Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. For a golden cheese topping, broil the dish for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning. Remove from oven and allow to rest for a few minutes.
- Serve: Plate each chicken breast, spoon extra creamy mushroom sauce over each serving, garnish with freshly chopped parsley, and serve hot.
Notes
- Pounding the chicken breasts to an even thickness ensures they cook uniformly.
- Use an oven-safe skillet (such as cast iron) to go directly from stovetop to oven without transferring the chicken.
- Watch the broiler closely to avoid burning the cheese topping.
- This dish pairs well with steamed vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a simple salad.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or in the oven.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: creamy chicken recipe,baked chicken with mushrooms,parmesan chicken,mushroom cream sauce,chicken casserole,comfort food chicken
