Easy Cheesy Chicken Bake: A Delicious and Simple Weeknight Dinner

Are you looking for a quick, easy, and satisfying dinner recipe that will please the whole family? Look no further than this cheesy chicken bake! This recipe is incredibly simple to prepare, requires minimal ingredients, and delivers a flavorful and comforting meal. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you don’t have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen but still want a delicious homemade dinner.

## Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Chicken Bake

* **Easy to Make:** This recipe is incredibly straightforward, with just a few simple steps.
* **Minimal Ingredients:** You likely already have most of the ingredients in your pantry and refrigerator.
* **Customizable:** Easily adapt the recipe to your liking by adding your favorite vegetables or changing the cheese.
* **Family-Friendly:** Even picky eaters will enjoy the cheesy goodness of this chicken bake.
* **Perfect for Weeknights:** It comes together quickly, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
* **Comfort Food:** It’s warm, cheesy, and satisfying – the perfect comfort food.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

* **Chicken Breasts:** Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are the star of the show. You can use fresh or frozen (thawed) chicken.
* **Cream of Chicken Soup:** This provides a creamy and flavorful base for the sauce.
* **Sour Cream:** Adds tanginess and richness to the sauce.
* **Shredded Cheese:** Cheddar cheese is a classic choice, but you can use any cheese you like, such as mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or Colby Jack.
* **Butter:** Adds flavor and helps to brown the breadcrumbs.
* **Breadcrumbs:** Panko breadcrumbs provide a crispy topping.
* **Seasonings:** Salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika enhance the flavor of the chicken and sauce.
* **(Optional) Vegetables:** Broccoli florets, green beans, or sliced mushrooms can be added for extra nutrition and flavor.

## Equipment You’ll Need

* **9×13 inch Baking Dish:** To bake the chicken bake in.
* **Mixing Bowls:** For preparing the sauce and breadcrumb topping.
* **Measuring Cups and Spoons:** For accurate measurements.
* **Whisk:** To combine the sauce ingredients.
* **Fork:** To mix the breadcrumbs with melted butter.

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s how to make this easy cheesy chicken bake:

**Step 1: Prepare the Chicken**

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. If your chicken breasts are thick, you can pound them to an even thickness (about ½ inch). This will ensure they cook evenly. You can also butterfly them by slicing them horizontally, almost all the way through, and then opening them like a book. This will reduce the cooking time. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels.
3. Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.

**Step 2: Make the Creamy Sauce**

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup and sour cream. Whisk until smooth and well combined.

**Step 3: Assemble the Chicken Bake**

1. Pour half of the creamy sauce into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly over the bottom.
2. Arrange the seasoned chicken breasts on top of the sauce.
3. Pour the remaining creamy sauce over the chicken, making sure to cover each breast evenly.
4. If you are using vegetables, sprinkle them over the chicken and sauce.

**Step 4: Prepare the Breadcrumb Topping**

1. In a small bowl, melt the butter in the microwave or on the stovetop.
2. Add the breadcrumbs to the melted butter and mix with a fork until the breadcrumbs are evenly coated.
3. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the chicken and sauce.
4. Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the breadcrumbs.

**Step 5: Bake the Chicken Bake**

1. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is melted and bubbly. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C).
2. Let the chicken bake rest for a few minutes before serving.

## Tips for the Best Cheesy Chicken Bake

* **Don’t Overcook the Chicken:** Overcooked chicken will be dry and tough. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked to the proper internal temperature.
* **Use Freshly Grated Cheese:** Freshly grated cheese melts better and has a better flavor than pre-shredded cheese.
* **Adjust Seasonings to Taste:** Feel free to adjust the seasonings to your liking. Add more garlic powder or paprika for a bolder flavor.
* **Add Vegetables:** Adding vegetables is a great way to sneak in some extra nutrients. Broccoli, green beans, and mushrooms are all great options.
* **Make it Ahead of Time:** You can assemble the chicken bake ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
* **Use Different Cheese:** Experiment with different types of cheese to find your favorite combination. Mozzarella, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, and Pepper Jack are all great options.
* **Add Spice:** Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce or sprinkle some jalapenos on top for a spicy kick.
* **Use Different Soups:** While cream of chicken soup is classic, you can also use cream of mushroom soup or cream of celery soup for a different flavor.

## Serving Suggestions

This cheesy chicken bake is delicious served with a variety of side dishes:

* **Rice:** White rice, brown rice, or wild rice.
* **Mashed Potatoes:** Creamy mashed potatoes or roasted garlic mashed potatoes.
* **Roasted Vegetables:** Roasted broccoli, asparagus, or Brussels sprouts.
* **Salad:** A simple green salad with your favorite dressing.
* **Garlic Bread:** Crusty garlic bread for soaking up the delicious sauce.

## Variations

Here are a few variations to try:

* **BBQ Chicken Bake:** Use BBQ sauce instead of cream of chicken soup.
* **Buffalo Chicken Bake:** Use buffalo wing sauce instead of cream of chicken soup and top with blue cheese crumbles.
* **Mexican Chicken Bake:** Add a can of diced tomatoes and green chilies to the sauce and top with Monterey Jack cheese.
* **Italian Chicken Bake:** Add Italian seasoning to the chicken and sauce and top with mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese.

## Storage Instructions

* **Refrigerate:** Store leftover chicken bake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
* **Reheat:** Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, or microwave in 30-second intervals until heated through.
* **Freeze:** Freeze cooled chicken bake in an airtight container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

## Recipe Card

**Easy Cheesy Chicken Bake**

**Prep Time:** 15 minutes
**Cook Time:** 30-40 minutes
**Total Time:** 45-55 minutes
**Servings:** 6

**Ingredients:**

* 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
* 1 (10.75 ounce) can cream of chicken soup
* 1/2 cup sour cream
* 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
* 1/4 cup butter, melted
* 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
* 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
* 1/4 teaspoon paprika
* (Optional) 1 cup broccoli florets

**Instructions:**

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. Pound chicken breasts to an even thickness. Pat dry and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
3. In a mixing bowl, combine cream of chicken soup and sour cream.
4. Pour half of the sauce into the baking dish. Arrange chicken on top. Pour remaining sauce over chicken.
5. If using, sprinkle broccoli florets over the chicken and sauce.
6. In a small bowl, combine melted butter and breadcrumbs. Sprinkle over the chicken and sauce.
7. Sprinkle shredded cheese over the breadcrumbs.
8. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and cheese is melted and bubbly.
9. Let rest for a few minutes before serving.

**Nutrition Information (per serving, approximate):**

* Calories: 350
* Protein: 35g
* Fat: 20g
* Carbohydrates: 10g

## Enjoy!

This Easy Cheesy Chicken Bake is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. It’s simple, delicious, and perfect for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. Give it a try and let me know what you think in the comments below!