Description
Cheddar almond chicken delivers a luxurious blend of crispy and creamy textures that elevate classic poultry to gourmet heights. Nutty almonds and sharp cheddar combine for a mouthwatering dish you cannot resist.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts (about 1.5 pounds / 680 grams)
Cheese and Creamy Components:
- 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1 cup (100 grams) freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese
- ⅓ cup (80 milliliters) mayonnaise
Seasoning and Garnish:
- ½ cup (60 grams) slivered almonds, lightly toasted
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
- 4 green onions, thinly sliced
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare a spacious work surface with parchment paper for chicken preparation and line a baking sheet for efficient cooking.
- Create a protective enclosure for each chicken breast using a zip-top bag, then gently flatten to an even 1/2-inch thickness using a rolling pin or meat mallet.
- Season the chicken pieces with a delicate sprinkle of kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, ensuring uniform coverage.
- Whisk cream cheese and mayonnaise in a mixing bowl until achieving a silky, homogeneous texture.
- Fold in grated cheddar cheese, toasted slivered almonds, aromatic garlic powder, and half of the thinly sliced green onions into the creamy mixture.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F, positioning the baking sheet on the middle rack to warm simultaneously.
- Generously spread the decadent cheese mixture across each chicken breast, creating a luxurious and even coating.
- Carefully transfer the prepared chicken onto the preheated baking sheet using the parchment paper as a convenient handler.
- Roast in the oven until the cheese transforms into a golden, bubbling topping and the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F, approximately 10-15 minutes.
- Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes, enabling the juices to redistribute and flavors to meld.
- Finish by sprinkling the remaining green onions over the chicken, adding a fresh, vibrant garnish before serving.
Notes
- Chicken breasts transform into a luxurious dinner with a creamy, nutty topping that melts perfectly in the oven.
- Toasting almonds beforehand releases their rich, deep flavor and adds a satisfying crunch to the cheese mixture.
- Parchment paper simplifies cleanup and helps transfer delicate chicken breasts without breaking or tearing them during baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 482
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 570 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 117 mg