Description
Succulent cheesy baked chicken and peppers delights dinner tables with Mediterranean-inspired flavors. Melted cheese, tender chicken, and roasted bell peppers combine for a simple, satisfying meal you can enjoy with crusty bread.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 red bell pepper (thinly sliced)
- 1 yellow bell pepper (thinly sliced)
- 1 green bell pepper (thinly sliced)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 tbsps (45 ml) olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic (finely chopped)
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- salt (to taste)
- freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
- fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C), establishing a consistent thermal environment for optimal cooking.
- Seasoning Fusion: Massage chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dried oregano, ensuring a comprehensive and even spice distribution that penetrates deeply into the meat’s texture.
- Vegetable Integration: Slice bell peppers into slender strips, then artfully intermingle them with the seasoned chicken, creating a colorful and harmonious blend of ingredients in the baking dish.
- Cheese Layering: Sprinkle a generous combination of shredded cheddar and Parmesan over the chicken and pepper mixture, allowing the cheese to melt and form a golden, crispy crust during baking.
- Baking Process: Roast the dish in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, tracking the chicken’s internal temperature until it reaches 165°F (74°C) and the cheese becomes beautifully bubbling and slightly caramelized.
- Garnishing Finale: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, adding a vibrant green accent and a hint of fresh herbal brightness that complements the rich, cheesy flavor profile.
Notes
- Cheese Selection Matters: Choose high-quality, freshly grated cheeses for maximum melting and flavor intensity, avoiding pre-shredded options with anti-caking agents.
- Moisture Control Technique: Pat chicken breasts completely dry before seasoning to ensure crisp edges and prevent steaming instead of browning.
- Pepper Cutting Strategy: Slice bell peppers uniformly to guarantee consistent cooking and attractive presentation throughout the dish.
- Temperature Precision: Use a meat thermometer to verify chicken internal temperature reaches 165°F, preventing overcooking while ensuring food safety.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg