This Cozy Cheesy Garlic Chicken is the culinary equivalent of a warm blanket. It’s a simple, rustic dish that relies on the “golden trifecta” of home cooking: roasted garlic, melted mozzarella, and tender chicken breast. The beauty of this recipe lies in the pan sauce—a savory emulsion of garlic and chicken juices that gets soaked up by the melted cheese. It’s perfect for a weeknight when you need something that feels fancy but requires minimal cleanup.
Prep Time: 10 min | Cook Time: 15 min | Total Time: 25 min
Key Ingredients
- Chicken: 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts (thinly sliced or pounded even).
- Garlic: 4–6 cloves, minced (don’t be shy, the more the cozier!).
- Cheese: 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella or a Monterey Jack blend.
- Butter & Oil: 2 tbsp unsalted butter and 1 tbsp olive oil.
- Seasoning: 1 tsp Italian seasoning, ½ tsp garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- The Finish: Fresh chopped parsley and a splash of chicken broth or white wine (optional).
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
- The Golden Sear: Heat the olive oil and 1 tbsp of butter in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear for 5–6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (165°F).
- The Garlic Butter Sauce: Move the chicken to the edges of the pan. Add the remaining 1 tbsp of butter and the minced garlic to the center. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.Optional: Pour in a splash (about 2-3 tbsp) of chicken broth to deglaze the pan and scrape up those delicious brown bits.
- Make it Cheesy: Turn the heat down to low. Top each piece of chicken with a generous mound of shredded cheese.
- Melt & Bubble: Cover the skillet with a lid for 2 minutes until the cheese is gooey and melted.Chef’s Tip: If you have an oven-safe skillet, pop it under the broiler for 1–2 minutes to get those brown, bubbly cheese spots!
- Garnish: Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Serving Suggestions
- The Carb Base: Serve over a bed of buttery mashed potatoes, garlic butter pasta, or creamy polenta.
- Low Carb Option: Pairs beautifully with roasted zucchini or cauliflower mash.
- The Bread Factor: You’ll want a crusty piece of French bread to mop up the garlic butter sauce left in the pan.
Storage & Reheating Tips
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: To keep the chicken from getting rubbery, reheat in a skillet over low heat with a lid and a tiny splash of water to create steam, which helps remelt the cheese gently.
Tips & Tricks for Success
- Even Thickness: Always pound your chicken breasts to an even thickness before cooking. This ensures the edges don’t dry out while the center finishes.
- Fresh Garlic vs. Jarred: For this specific dish, use fresh cloves. The flavor is much sweeter and more “cozy” than the acidic bite of pre-minced jarred garlic.
Nutrition Information (Per Serving)
| Serving Size | Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| 1 breast + sauce | 385 | 36g | 22g | 3g |
Disclaimer: Nutrition information is an estimate based on standard ingredients.
