Chicken And Cheese: Melting Magic

how to cook cheese in chicken

Chicken and cheese are two ingredients that can be combined in a variety of ways to create a delicious meal. Chicken breasts are a popular choice for this combination, as they are versatile and can be stuffed, baked, or pan-fried with cheese. For example, a simple recipe involves stuffing chicken breasts with a mixture of cheeses, such as mozzarella, Parmesan, and ricotta, along with other ingredients like garlic and spinach, creating a flavorful and moist dish. Alternatively, chicken breasts can be coated in a breadcrumb and cheese mixture before being baked in the oven, resulting in a crunchy exterior and a tender interior. Chicken and cheese can also be combined in recipes like Chicken Parmesan, where the chicken is fried and then baked with tomato sauce and various cheeses. These dishes offer flexibility in terms of ingredients and cooking methods, making them perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a special meal for guests.

How to cook cheese in chicken

Characteristics Values
Type of Dish Main course
Cuisine Italian-American
Main Ingredients Chicken, Cheese
Other Ingredients Broccoli, Bacon, Olive Oil, Butter, Flour, Breadcrumbs, Salt, Pepper, Italian Seasoning, Garlic, Paprika, Parsley, Potato
Types of Cheese Mozzarella, Parmesan, Ricotta, Cheddar, Provolone, Cream Cheese, Gouda
Cooking Method Baking, Pan-frying, Skillet
Cooking Time 25-30 minutes
Calories 286kcal
Servings 4

cycheese

Chicken and cheese stuffed with spinach

Ingredients

  • 3 large, boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • Salt
  • Black pepper
  • Garlic powder
  • Paprika
  • 4 oz cold block-style cream cheese
  • Mayonnaise
  • 1 cup chopped spinach
  • 1 cup mozzarella
  • 1 cup parmesan

Method

  • Preheat the oven to 425˚F with a rack in the center.
  • Season the chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
  • In a mixing bowl, mash together cream cheese, mayonnaise, and garlic with a fork, then stir in mozzarella, parmesan, and chopped spinach leaves until combined.
  • Lay the chicken on a flat surface and cut a slit 3/4 of the way through without cutting all the way through.
  • Stuff each chicken breast with 1/3 of the mixture and seal horizontally with a toothpick.
  • Sear the chicken on a stove until golden brown, about 5 to 7 minutes per side.
  • Transfer the chicken to the oven and bake for 30-45 minutes, or until cooked through.
  • Slice and serve.

Tips

  • Use a meat tenderizer to pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness before seasoning. This will help the chicken cook faster and more evenly.
  • For a crunchy texture, dip the chicken breasts in a butter mixture and coat with breadcrumbs before transferring to the oven.
  • To make it a complete meal, serve the chicken with steamed rice, creamy polenta, mashed potatoes, or a simple side salad.
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cycheese

Chicken Parmesan

Ingredients

  • Chicken breasts
  • Flour
  • Eggs
  • Breadcrumbs
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Tomato sauce (preferably homemade)
  • Mozzarella cheese
  • Provolone cheese

Method

  • Prepare the chicken by trimming and slicing the chicken breasts in half lengthwise to create 4 equal-thickness cutlets. Pound the chicken breasts to about 1/3-inch thick.
  • Set up a dredging station with three shallow bowls. In the first bowl, mix flour, salt, and pepper. In the second bowl, whisk eggs until frothy. In the third bowl, combine breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese.
  • Dip each chicken cutlet into the flour, tapping off the excess. Then, dip it into the beaten eggs, followed by the cheesy breadcrumbs, ensuring an even coating.
  • For the traditional method, heat oil in a pan and sauté the chicken until golden brown. Transfer the chicken to a baking sheet and bake at 400˚F for about 15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165˚F.
  • Remove from the oven and top each cutlet with tomato sauce and cheese. Return to the oven for another 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
  • Alternatively, for a healthier option, coat the breaded chicken with cooking spray and bake at 400˚F until cooked through. Add the sauce and cheese and return to the oven until the cheese melts.
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cycheese

Baked cheesy chicken breasts

This baked cheesy chicken breasts recipe is a simple, tasty, and crunchy dish that can be prepared in 10 minutes and is perfect for a weeknight family dinner. The chicken is tender in the middle and crunchy on the outside, with a combination of cheddar and Parmesan cheese.

Ingredients

  • 2 chicken breasts
  • 2 kinds of cheese (cheddar and Parmesan)
  • Breadcrumbs
  • Butter
  • Onion powder
  • Garlic powder
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Method

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a 9x12 casserole dish with cooking spray. In a shallow dish, combine the breadcrumbs and grated cheese. In a separate pan, melt the butter and add the onion powder and garlic powder. Season the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper on both sides. Dip each chicken breast in the butter mixture, then press into the cheesy breadcrumb mixture. Place the chicken breasts in the prepared pan and sprinkle with extra breadcrumbs. Drizzle the remaining butter mixture on top. Bake for 35-45 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through.

Tips

  • Use a digital thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked through.
  • For a lighter meal, slice the chicken and serve it over a salad or in a wrap.
  • You can also add other cheeses, such as mozzarella, to the breadcrumb mixture.
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cycheese

Chicken with creamy cheese sauce

This chicken with creamy cheese sauce recipe is an easy skillet meal with perfectly cooked chicken smothered in a creamy cheese sauce. You can serve it with baked potatoes for a complete meal.

Ingredients:

  • Chicken breasts
  • Olive oil
  • Butter
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Paprika
  • Mozzarella
  • Parmesan
  • Ricotta
  • Garlic

Steps:

  • Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board and cut horizontally through the breasts.
  • Put the breasts between two pieces of plastic wrap and pound them with the flat side of a meat tenderizer, until they appear to be of even thickness. Aim for ½ inch thick slices.
  • In a medium bowl, mix together the mozzarella, Parmesan, ricotta, garlic, salt, and pepper.
  • In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and butter over medium-high heat.
  • Season the chicken with salt and 1 teaspoon of paprika.
  • Arrange the chicken on the skillet and cook for about 5 minutes, until a golden crust appears, then flip.
  • Divide the cheese mixture into four equal parts and spread it evenly on top of the chicken.
  • Sprinkle with the remaining paprika. Cover with a lid and cook for another 5-7 minutes, until the cheese melts and the chicken is cooked through.
  • Garnish with parsley and serve.

Tips:

  • To control the sodium content, use unsalted butter and low-sodium chicken broth.
  • For a smooth and creamy sauce, ensure the base of the sauce isn't too hot when you stir in the cheese.
  • Always shred the cheese from a block as it will melt better and taste superior to bagged shredded cheese.
  • For extra flavour, cook some crispy bacon to crumble and garnish on top of the meal.

cycheese

Three-cheese chicken

Ingredients

  • Chicken breasts
  • Mozzarella
  • Parmesan
  • Ricotta
  • Garlic
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Olive oil
  • Butter
  • Paprika

Method

  • Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board and cut horizontally through the middle of each breast to make four thinner chops.
  • Put the breasts between two pieces of plastic wrap and pound them with the flat side of a meat tenderizer until they are of even thickness.
  • In a medium bowl, mix together the mozzarella, Parmesan, ricotta, garlic, salt, and pepper.
  • In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and butter over medium-high heat.
  • Arrange the chicken on the skillet and season with salt and 1 teaspoon of paprika.
  • Cook the chicken for about 5 minutes, until a golden crust appears, then flip.
  • Divide the cheese mixture into four equal parts and spread it evenly on top of the chicken.
  • Sprinkle with the remaining paprika.
  • Cover with a lid and cook for another 5-7 minutes, until the cheese melts and the chicken is cooked through.
  • Garnish with parsley and serve.

Tips

  • Use thin chicken breasts to ensure the chicken cooks evenly and remains tender and juicy.
  • Use a dish that is large enough for the chicken pieces to sit flat and not be overcrowded.
  • Ricotta brings a nice creamy texture to the dish, so don't skip it!
  • If you want to add extra flavour, season the chicken with salt and pepper, or add some fresh garlic.

Frequently asked questions

It is important to pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness so that they cook evenly. It is also important to shred the cheese from a block as it will melt better.

One recipe for chicken with cheese is Chicken Parmesan. This recipe involves breading chicken breasts and frying them before transferring them to a baking pan and adding sauce, cheese, and herbs. Another recipe is Three-Cheese Chicken, which involves topping chicken breasts with a mixture of mozzarella, Parmesan, and ricotta.

Some side dishes that go well with chicken and cheese include steamed rice, creamy polenta, mashed potatoes, and roasted potatoes. A simple side salad or steamed broccoli, asparagus, or green beans can also complement the dish.

To cook chicken with cheese in an oven, you can try making Baked Cheesy Chicken Breasts. This recipe involves coating chicken breasts in a mixture of breadcrumbs and cheese, then baking them in the oven until they are crunchy.

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