Creamy, cheesy, oven-baked chicken that’s ready in under an hour – this cozy dish is quick to prep, kid-approved, and perfect for busy weeknights.
There are a few dinners that always deliver — no matter how chaotic the evening feels. This Easy Cheesy Chicken Bake is one of those rare recipes that checks all the boxes: it’s simple, satisfying, family-friendly, and made with ingredients you probably already have on hand.
I started making this on hectic weeknights when I didn’t have the energy for a multi-step meal. With just 10 minutes of prep and one baking dish, it has become my go-to comfort food. The chicken stays juicy and tender while a golden, cheesy topping bubbles over into a creamy sauce that’s just begging to be spooned over rice or mashed potatoes.
Whether you’re feeding kids, teens, or a table full of hungry adults, this is one of those “where has this been all my life?” dinners.
Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Chicken Bake
- Fast prep – Only 10 minutes to assemble
- Kid-approved – Creamy, cheesy, and mild in flavor
- One pan – Fewer dishes, more time to relax
- Flexible – Serve it over rice, pasta, or steamed veggies
- Meal-prep friendly – Make ahead and reheat beautifully
Tips, Substitutions & Additions
Tips:
- Use thin-sliced chicken breasts or pound them for even cooking.
- Cover with foil if baking longer to prevent cheese from browning too quickly.
- Let it rest for 5 minutes after baking to allow sauce to thicken slightly.
Ingredient Swaps:
- Protein: Use boneless chicken thighs or rotisserie chicken (for quicker bake).
- Cheese: Try Monterey Jack, Colby, provolone, or a Mexican blend.
- Cream base: Swap sour cream for plain Greek yogurt or softened cream cheese.
Add-ins:
- 1–2 cups steamed broccoli or spinach mixed into the cheese sauce
- A handful of cooked bacon or diced ham
- A layer of crushed Ritz crackers or buttered breadcrumbs for crunch
Easy Cheesy Chicken Bake Recipe
Servings: 6
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Equipment:
- 9×13-inch baking dish
- Medium mixing bowl
- Spatula or spoon
- Meat thermometer (optional but helpful)
Ingredients:
- 3 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5–2 lbs)
- 1 cup sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp paprika (optional)
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Arrange chicken breasts in the dish in a single layer. Pat dry with paper towels.
- In a bowl, mix sour cream, cheddar, mozzarella, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika (if using), salt, and pepper.
- Spread the cheese mixture evenly over the chicken, coating completely.
- Bake uncovered for 35 minutes, or until chicken reaches an internal temp of 165°F and the top is golden and bubbly.
- Let rest 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley, if desired.
How to Serve
- Over fluffy white or brown rice
- With buttered noodles or mashed potatoes
- Alongside roasted vegetables or a crisp salad
- Stuffed into baked potatoes for a fun twist
Storage & Reheating
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container up to 4 days.
- Freeze: Cool completely, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
- Reheat: Bake at 350°F until hot (about 15–20 minutes), or microwave covered until warmed through.
Make It Ahead
You can assemble the dish up to 24 hours ahead — cover and refrigerate. Add an extra 5 minutes to baking time if going straight from fridge to oven.
This Easy Cheesy Chicken Bake is comfort food in its simplest, most delicious form. It’s the kind of meal that doesn’t try too hard, yet leaves everyone asking for seconds. Perfect for picky eaters, busy nights, and anyone in need of a warm, melty, no-stress dinner.
Try it once, and I guarantee you’ll come back to it again and again. Let me know in the comments how your family liked it — and feel free to share your own toppings or side ideas!
Save this recipe for later. Pin the image below on Pinterest!
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Easy Cheesy Chicken Bake – Quick, Creamy, and Family-Approved Dinner
This Easy Cheesy Chicken Bake is a one-dish, family-friendly dinner that’s creamy, cheesy, and ready in under an hour. Made with tender chicken breasts, sour cream, and melty cheese, it’s the perfect quick comfort meal for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Arrange chicken breasts in the dish in a single layer. Pat dry with paper towels.
- In a bowl, mix sour cream, cheddar, mozzarella, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika (if using), salt, and pepper.
- Spread the cheese mixture evenly over the chicken, coating completely.
- Bake uncovered for 30–35 minutes, or until chicken reaches an internal temp of 165°F and the top is golden and bubbly.
- Let rest 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley, if desired.
Equipment
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Nutrition Facts
Nutrition Facts
Servings 6
Serving Size 1 portion
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 370kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 22g34%
- Saturated Fat 11.5g58%
- Cholesterol 155mg52%
- Sodium 630mg27%
- Potassium 650mg19%
- Total Carbohydrate 3g1%
- Dietary Fiber 0.3g2%
- Sugars 1g
- Protein 41g82%
- Vitamin A 520 IU
- Vitamin C 1 mg
- Calcium 270 mg
- Iron 1.4 mg
- Vitamin D 18 IU
- Vitamin E 0.6 IU
- Vitamin K 6 mcg
- Thiamin 0.1 mg
- Riboflavin 0.3 mg
- Niacin 14 mg
- Vitamin B6 0.9 mg
- Folate 22 mcg
- Vitamin B12 0.9 mcg
- Biotin 6 mcg
- Pantothenic Acid 1.8 mg
- Phosphorus 360 mg
- Iodine 18 mcg
- Magnesium 42 mg
- Zinc 2.1 mg
- Selenium 42 mcg
- Copper 0.1 mg
- Manganese 0.04 mg
- Chromium 5 mcg
- Molybdenum 12 mcg
- Chloride 620 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
Thin chicken cooks more evenly. If using very thick breasts, slice them in half horizontally or pound slightly for even thickness.
Rest after baking. Let the casserole rest for 5–10 minutes before serving so the sauce can thicken slightly.
Make it a meal. Serve with cooked rice, egg noodles, mashed potatoes, or steamed green beans.
