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–+ servings

Smothered Chicken with Jack Cheese

A cozy, family-friendly dish featuring seared chicken breasts topped with a creamy garlic sauce and melted Jack cheese, perfect for weeknight dinners.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 3–4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5–2 lb total) If breasts are very thick, halve them horizontally or pound to even thickness for even cooking.
  • 1 cup shredded Jack cheese (mild or pepper Jack for a kick)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (or neutral oil with a higher smoke point)
  • 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth Low-sodium broth lets you control seasoning.
  • ½ cup sour cream (full fat for best texture; Greek yogurt can be substituted)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
Garnishes
  • Chopped green onions for topping
  • Paprika for garnish

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Rub each chicken breast with the olive oil and season both sides with salt and pepper.
Cooking
  1. Heat a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, add the chicken and sear until golden—about 5 minutes per side. You’re aiming for a brown crust, not a full cook-through.
  2. Push the chicken to the edges and add the minced garlic to the center of the skillet. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant—don’t let it burn.
  3. Pour in the chicken broth and scrape the browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Let the broth simmer for a minute to concentrate flavor.
  4. Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in the sour cream until the sauce is smooth and bubbling gently, about 3–5 minutes. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
  5. Spoon sauce over the chicken, then evenly sprinkle the shredded Jack cheese on top of each breast.
  6. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and sauce is simmering and the chicken registers 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part.
  7. Remove from oven and garnish with chopped green onions and a pinch of paprika before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 35gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 15gSodium: 600mgSugar: 1g

Notes

For best results, pat chicken dry before searing for better crust. Don’t overheat the garlic—add it after searing to avoid bitterness. Let the chicken rest for 3–5 minutes after baking.

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