Cheesy Baked Chicken With Mushrooms (Printable)
Tender chicken breasts baked with mushrooms and melted cheeses, seasoned with thyme and paprika for an easy, comforting main.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
→ Vegetables
02 - 8 oz cremini or white mushrooms, sliced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Dairy
04 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
05 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
06 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
→ Liquids
07 - 1/3 cup chicken broth
→ Spices & Herbs
08 - 1 tsp dried thyme or 1 tbsp fresh thyme
09 - 1 tsp paprika
10 - Salt and black pepper to taste
→ Oils
11 - 1 tbsp olive oil
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with olive oil or nonstick spray.
02 - Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, paprika, and thyme.
03 - In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter with olive oil. Add sliced mushrooms and sauté for 4–5 minutes until they soften. Stir in minced garlic and cook an additional minute.
04 - Remove mushrooms from heat. Arrange the seasoned chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish. Distribute the sautéed mushrooms and garlic evenly over the chicken. Pour chicken broth around the chicken, avoiding direct contact with the toppings.
05 - Evenly sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the surface.
06 - Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and cheese is melted, bubbling, and golden-brown.
07 - Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs as desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It comes together quickly, but tastes like something you slow-cooked all afternoon.
- The gooey cheese top makes leftovers highly unlikely at my house!
02 -
- If you skip drying your mushrooms, they’ll steam and go soggy instead of caramelizing to that tasty golden brown.
- Using pre-shredded cheese never melted quite right for me—grate your own and you'll see the difference right away.
03 -
- Check your chicken’s temperature with an instant-read thermometer—it’s the surest way to avoid dry meat.
- Browning the mushrooms well in butter at the start infuses a savory flavor into every bite.