Creamy Cheesy Chicken Bake

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (optional, for thickening)
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides.
3. Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for about 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown. They don’t need to be fully cooked through at this stage. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute.
5. Add the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Stir to deglaze the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
6. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream. Mix well and let it heat through.
7. Add the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, stirring until melted and smooth.
8. Season the sauce with dried thyme, dried basil, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix the flour with a little water to make a slurry and stir it into the sauce. Let it simmer for a couple of minutes until it thickens.
9. Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning some of the sauce over the top of each piece.
10. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
11. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve hot.

This dish pairs beautifully with steamed vegetables, rice, or a fresh salad. Enjoy your creamy, cheesy chicken bake!