Tender, juicy chicken breasts baked in a rich, creamy cheddar sauce with broccoli — this comfort-food favorite tastes like a restaurant dish but is incredibly simple to make at home. Pair it with rice, mashed potatoes, or pasta for a full meal.
🕒 Prep & Cook Time
- Prep: 10 minutes
- Cook: 30–35 minutes
- Total: 45 minutes
🍗 Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts
- 2 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp flour (optional — for thicker sauce)
- Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
👩🍳 Instructions
Step 1 – Prep the Chicken
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Pat chicken breasts dry and season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
Step 2 – Sauté the Garlic
In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Step 3 – Make the Cheddar Sauce
Stir in flour (optional) and cook for 30 seconds.
Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream.
Add onion powder and 1 cup shredded cheddar. Stir until melted and smooth.
Step 4 – Assemble the Dish
Place chicken breasts in a baking dish.
Scatter broccoli around the chicken.
Pour the cheddar sauce evenly over everything.
Top with the remaining ½ cup cheddar cheese.
Step 5 – Bake
Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) and sauce is bubbly.
Step 6 – Garnish & Serve
Sprinkle fresh parsley on top and serve hot.
🍽 Serving Ideas
- Serve over rice or buttered noodles
- Pair with mashed potatoes
- Add extra broccoli or cauliflower for more veggies
💡 Tips & Variations
- Keto Option: Skip the flour for a low-carb version.
- Extra Creamy: Add 2 oz cream cheese to the sauce.
- Spicy: Mix in a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes.
- Crunchy Topping: Add crushed Ritz crackers mixed with butter on top before baking.
Nutrition (per serving, 4 servings)
- Calories: ~480
- Protein: 38g
- Fat: 30g
- Carbs: 7g
