Description
Jack Cheese Chicken brings comfort straight to your dinner table with tender, melted cheese coating juicy chicken that tastes like home cooking at its finest. Guaranteed to become a family favorite, this simple recipe delivers maximum flavor without complicated techniques.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs / 680 g)
- 2 cups shredded jack cheese
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- 3 cloves fresh garlic
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper
Liquids and Oils:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to precisely 375°F (190°C), ensuring the rack is centered for even cooking.
- Season 4 chicken breasts (approximately 1.5 lbs) with ½ tsp salt and ¼ tsp black pepper on both sides.
- Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 2 minutes until shimmering.
- Place seasoned chicken breasts in the hot skillet, cooking for 6-7 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
- Add 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet, stirring constantly for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour 1 cup chicken broth into the skillet, using a wooden spoon to scrape up all caramelized bits from the bottom.
- Lower heat to medium-low and stir in 1 cup heavy cream until fully incorporated.
- Gradually sprinkle 2 cups shredded jack cheese into the sauce, stirring until completely melted and smooth.
- Transfer the creamy chicken mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Sprinkle 1 tsp Italian seasoning over the top for additional flavor.
- Bake uncovered for 20 minutes until sauce is bubbling and surface turns light golden brown.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving alongside your favorite rice or pasta.
Notes
- Ensure chicken is evenly cooked by using a meat thermometer to check internal temperature at the thickest part.
- Select a high-quality jack cheese that melts smoothly and provides rich flavor to complement the chicken.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk and use reduced-fat jack cheese.
- If avoiding dairy, replace cheese and cream with coconut milk and nutritional yeast for a similar creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-39 minutes
- Category: Sautéed
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 610 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 48 g
- Saturated Fat: 21 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 23 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Protein: 42 g
- Cholesterol: 165 mg