This recipe lives up to its name—tender, juicy chicken breasts baked in a creamy, cheesy coating that melts in your mouth. With just a handful of simple ingredients, you can have a flavorful main dish on the table in under an hour. It’s keto-friendly, crowd-pleasing, and practically foolproof.
⏱ Prep Time
- Prep: 10 minutes
- Cook: 35–40 minutes
- Total: ~50 minutes
🛠 Equipment
- 9×13-inch baking dish
- Small mixing bowl
- Spoon or spatula
- Knife and cutting board
- Meat thermometer (optional, but helpful)
🧂 Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
- 1 cup mayonnaise or Greek yogurt
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika (optional, for color)
- 1–2 tbsp chopped parsley or chives (optional garnish)
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Mayo vs. Greek Yogurt: Mayo gives richness, while Greek yogurt lightens it up. You can use half and half.
- Parmesan: Fresh grated melts better and gives stronger flavor than pre-shredded.
- Chicken: Pound thick breasts to even thickness for even cooking. You can also slice them in half horizontally.
👨🍳 Instructions
- Preheat Oven
- Preheat to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Mix the Topping
- In a bowl, combine mayonnaise (or yogurt), Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and paprika. Mix until smooth.
- Prepare the Chicken
- Place chicken breasts in the baking dish.
- Spread the mayo mixture evenly over the top of each piece.
- Bake
- Bake uncovered for 35–40 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and top is golden and bubbly.
- If desired, broil for 1–2 minutes at the end to brown the top.
- Rest and Serve
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley or chives.
📊 Nutrition Facts (per serving, approx.)
- Calories: 370
- Protein: 34g
- Fat: 24g
- Carbs: 2g
- Sodium: 480mg
(Based on mayo version; using Greek yogurt lowers fat and calories slightly)
💡 Tips
- Use thin-sliced or pounded chicken for faster, more even cooking.
- Double the mayo mixture if you like a thicker, creamier topping.
- Great served with rice, mashed potatoes, steamed veggies, or a side salad.
- Leftovers reheat well and make excellent sandwich filling or wraps.
🔄 Variations
- Spicy Kick: Add crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the mix.
- Cheesy Upgrade: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella or cheddar on top before baking.
- Herb Twist: Add dried Italian seasoning or fresh thyme to the mayo mixture.
- Low-FODMAP or Dairy-Free: Use lactose-free yogurt or mayo and nutritional yeast in place of Parmesan.
