Cheese Chicken: Baking Time And Temperature Guide

Baked cheesy chicken is a delicious, family-friendly meal that is easy to make and can be customized with different ingredients. The cooking time depends on the type of chicken and the oven temperature. For a tasty, juicy, and evenly cooked meal, it is recommended to bake chicken breasts in the oven for 20-45 minutes at 350-375°F.

Chicken breast cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for chicken breasts depend on their weight and whether they are boneless, skinless, or bone-in and skin-on.

Boneless and Skinless Chicken Breasts

Cooking time for boneless and skinless chicken breasts varies depending on the temperature of the oven.

• At 350°F, cook for 25-35 minutes.
• At 375°F, cook for 20-30 minutes.
• At 400°F, cook for 22-26 minutes.
• At 450°F, cook for 15-18 minutes.

Bone-in and Skin-on Chicken Breasts

Bone-in and skin-on chicken breasts generally result in juicier and tastier meat.

At 375°F, cook for 35-40 minutes.

Tips for Cooking Chicken Breasts

• Use a meat thermometer to check that the chicken is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
• Avoid overcooking by removing the chicken from the oven when it reaches 160-162°F as the temperature will continue to rise as it rests.
• Let the chicken rest for at least 5-10 minutes after cooking to lock in juices and flavour.
• For even cooking, use a meat mallet to pound thicker chicken breasts so that they are of a more uniform thickness.
• Brining chicken breasts for 15 minutes before cooking will make them extra juicy.

Chicken breast preparation

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (6-7 oz.)
• 1 cup plain dry breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and black pepper

Method

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Spray a 9x12 casserole dish (or similar 3-quart dish) with cooking spray.
• In a shallow dish, combine the breadcrumbs and both cheeses.
• In a separate pan, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add the onion powder and garlic powder, and mix well. Transfer to another shallow dish.
• Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides.
• Dip each chicken breast in the butter mixture, coating all sides, then press into the cheesy breadcrumb mixture.
• Place the chicken breasts in the prepared dish.
• Sprinkle some extra breadcrumbs over the chicken and press down to help them adhere.
• Drizzle the extra butter mixture over the top.
• Bake for 35-45 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through. The timing will depend on the size of the chicken breasts, so it is recommended to use a digital thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked properly.

Serving Suggestions

• Steamed rice
• Creamy polenta
• Instant Pot mashed potatoes
• Baked or roasted potatoes
• Side salad
• Steamed broccoli, asparagus, or green beans
• Sliced chicken served over a salad, in a wrap, or in a grain bowl with your favourite sauce or dressing

Chicken breast stuffing

Ingredients

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 3 cups packed spinach, roughly chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained/chopped
• 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1/3 cup Parmesan, grated
• 1/2 teaspoon each of dried basil, dried oregano, and onion powder
• A pinch of red pepper flakes

Optional Ingredients

• Sauteed mushrooms
• Bacon
• Feta
• Toothpicks

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375° F. Add 1-2 teaspoons of oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Add the spinach and garlic and cook until wilted, which should take around 3-4 minutes. Let the mixture cool.

Set the spinach and garlic aside, along with the sun-dried tomatoes. Combine the remaining filling ingredients, then gently stir in the spinach, garlic, and tomatoes.

Pat the chicken dry. Use a sharp paring knife to create a pocket for the stuffing. Be careful not to cut all the way through to the other side. Stuff each chicken breast with the filling. Sprinkle the top of the chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika.

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add 2 chicken breasts at a time and sear each side until it begins to turn golden, which should take around 2-3 minutes.

If your skillet is not oven-safe, transfer the chicken to a baking dish. Bake for 17-20 minutes at 375° F, or until the thickest part of the chicken reaches 165°. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving with your chosen sides.

Tips

• If your chicken breasts are very thick, tenderize them with a meat mallet to thin them out and make them more tender.
• Shred or grate the cheese from a block for the best results, as it will melt and taste better.
• Use just under 1/2 cup of filling per chicken breast.
• If you're having trouble keeping the filling intact, toothpicks can help. However, the cream cheese in this recipe helps the filling stay in place, so they may not be necessary.
• This chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
• To reheat, wrap the chicken loosely in foil and bake at 325° for 15 minutes, depending on its size. If possible, let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before reheating. You may also add 2-3 teaspoons of water to the foil to keep the chicken juicy.

Chicken breast sides

Chicken breasts are a versatile meal option that can be cooked in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas for side dishes to accompany baked chicken breasts:

Salads

• Simple Arugula Salad: A quick and easy, unfussy arugula salad tossed in a lemon vinaigrette and finished with shaved Parmesan.
• Tomato and Feta White Bean Salad: A light and easy recipe for a no-cook tomato and white bean salad.
• Radish and Goat Cheese Farro Salad Bowl: A hearty grain salad featuring radishes, goat cheese, and a variety of seasonings.
• Tangy Cucumber Salad: A light, fresh salad of quick-pickled cucumbers and chopped fresh chives, perfect for potlucks or barbecues.
• Minty Snap Pea Salad: A refreshing snap pea salad with fresh mozzarella, radishes, and lots of fresh mint.

Slaws

• Kohlrabi and Carrot Slaw: A refreshing summer slaw featuring kohlrabi, carrots, and a tangy dressing.
• Cabbage and Apple Slaw with Honey-Lime Dressing: A sweet and crisp slaw with apples, honey, and lime, pairing well with chicken.
• Tangy Cabbage and Jalapeño Slaw: A crunchy and bold-flavoured slaw that can be quickly put together using pre-shredded veggies.

Stovetop Sides

• Mexican Restaurant-Style Cauliflower Rice: A cauliflower rice dish inspired by Mexican cuisine, coming together in minutes.
• Easy Lemon-Ginger Spinach: A light and refreshing weeknight side that goes well with chicken.
• 15-Minute Parmesan-Thyme Mushrooms: Hearty mushrooms with Parmesan cheese, ready in just 15 minutes.
• Swiss Chard with Garbanzo Beans: A savoury dish featuring Swiss chard, chickpeas, pancetta, shallots, and red pepper flakes.
• One-Pot Smoked Almond and Herb Couscous: A smoky, nutty, and herbaceous couscous side dish.
• Asparagus & Radishes with Mint: A quick and easy side, tossing asparagus and radishes with a handful of mint.

Oven-Roasted Sides

• Brown Butter Radishes: Radishes bathed in warm brown butter, with a squeeze of lemon juice, and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt.
• Super-Crispy, Oven-Baked Asparagus Fries: Asparagus made extra crispy and tasty in the oven.
• Garlicky Parmesan Sweet Potatoes: Sweet potato chunks roasted and topped with Parmesan cheese, broiled until crispy.
• Roasted Carrots with Orange: Carrots roasted with orange slices or rind for a hint of bitterness.
• Potato, Squash & Goat Cheese Gratin: A rustic, vegetarian dish with layers of yellow squash, red potato, and goat cheese.

Other Sides

• Steamed rice, creamy polenta, mashed potatoes, or roasted potatoes.
• Steamed broccoli, asparagus, or green beans.
• Salad, wrap, or grain bowl with sliced chicken, drizzled with your favourite sauce or dressing.

Chicken breast reheating

Reheating chicken breast can be done in several ways, including using an oven, stove, air fryer, or microwave. Here is a detailed guide on how to reheat chicken breast in each of these methods:

Reheating Chicken Breast in the Oven:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Meanwhile, take your chicken out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature.
• Add water, chicken broth, or broth from your cooked chicken to a baking dish. Just add enough liquid to barely cover the bottom of the pan.
• Place the chicken breasts in the baking dish and cover them with aluminium foil.
• Put the chicken in the oven and bake until heated through. This should take at least 10 minutes for boneless, skinless chicken breasts, and 15-20 minutes for skin-on chicken breasts.
• For skin-on chicken breasts, remove the foil after the chicken is warmed through, and cook the breasts, skin-side up, under the broiler for a minute or two to crisp up the skin.
• Use an instant-read thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the chicken has reached 165°F.

Reheating Chicken Breast on the Stovetop:

• Take the chicken out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature.
• Add a little water or chicken broth to a medium or large skillet, enough to cover the bottom of the pan.
• Place the chicken breasts in the skillet and heat over medium to medium-high heat.
• Cover the skillet with a lid and heat until the chicken is warmed through, turning the breasts occasionally.
• Use a thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the thickest part of the breast has reached 165°F. This should take about 10 minutes.

Reheating Chicken Breast in the Microwave:

• Slice the chicken breasts into bite-size pieces and place them on a microwave-safe plate or glass dish.
• Spoon a little water or chicken broth over the slices, or cover them with a damp paper towel or plastic wrap.
• Heat the chicken in the microwave in 1-minute increments until warmed through.
• Flip the chicken pieces and heat in 30-second intervals until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Reheating Chicken Breast in an Air Fryer:

• Let the chicken come to room temperature.
• Spray the chicken wings with a light coating of nonstick spray.
• Preheat your air fryer to 360°F.
• Place the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket and bake for four minutes.
• Increase the heat to 400°F and bake for another five minutes.

It is important to note that chicken breast should only be reheated once, so only heat the amount you need. Additionally, adding liquid such as water or chicken broth to the dish while reheating can help keep the chicken moist.

Frequently asked questions