Description
Cheesy chicken & pepper bake delivers a mouthwatering blend of tender chicken, melted cheese, and colorful bell peppers. Comfort meets flavor in this simple, satisfying dish that promises a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (6 to 8 ounces each)
Cheese Ingredients:
- 1 cream cheese block (8 ounces)
- 2 ounces pepper Jack cheese, shredded
Seasonings and Vegetables:
- 14 ounces mini sweet peppers, seeded, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves, plus more for serving
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 375°F, preparing a spacious baking dish with a layer of colorful bell pepper slices covering the bottom surface.
- Create a creamy thyme-infused filling by blending half the cream cheese with aromatic herbs, salt, and pepper in a small mixing bowl.
- Carefully butterfly each chicken breast by making a precise horizontal cut along the thickest side, creating a pocket without slicing completely through.
- Generously stuff the chicken pockets with the herbed cream cheese mixture, ensuring a tight seal by pinching the edges closed with fingertips.
- Enhance the chicken’s exterior with a robust dusting of Cajun seasoning, coating each breast thoroughly for maximum flavor intensity.
- Delicately position the seasoned, stuffed chicken breasts atop the pepper foundation in the baking dish, strategically placing additional cream cheese slices on each piece.
- Liberally sprinkle pepper Jack cheese over the chicken, creating a melty, golden blanket of dairy goodness.
- Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven, allowing the chicken to roast until it reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F, typically around 30 minutes.
- Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a serving platter, accompanied by the roasted peppers and their flavorful pan juices.
- Garnish with fresh thyme leaves for a final aromatic touch before presenting this vibrant, cheesy chicken creation.
Notes
- Prep like a pro by patting chicken dry to ensure crispy, golden seasoning that locks in maximum flavor.
- Create a flavor explosion by stuffing chicken with herbed cream cheese, transforming ordinary breasts into a decadent main dish.
- Cajun seasoning provides a spicy kick that elevates the entire meal, giving each bite a zesty southwestern-style punch.
- Layering peppers underneath chicken allows them to absorb delicious meat juices, creating a built-in veggie side dish with incredible depth.
- Always use a meat thermometer to guarantee chicken reaches safe 165°F, preventing dry meat and ensuring perfect, juicy results.
- Fresh thyme leaves sprinkled on top add a bright, aromatic finish that brings restaurant-quality finesse to your home-cooked meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 470
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 49 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg