Chicken With Cheese Sauce (Printable Version)
Seared and baked chicken breasts in a silky cheddar-Parmesan sauce, ready in about 40 minutes for a cozy weeknight meal.
# What You Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 teaspoon salt
03 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
04 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
→ Cheese Sauce
05 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
06 - 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour
07 - 1 cup whole milk
08 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
09 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
10 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
11 - 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard, optional
12 - Salt and pepper, to taste
# How-To:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Generously season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt and black pepper.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large oven-proof skillet over medium heat. Sear the chicken for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown.
03 - Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove the chicken from the skillet, place on a plate, and cover to retain warmth.
04 - In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the flour and whisk constantly for 1 minute to form a smooth roux.
05 - Gradually pour in the milk, whisking continuously, until the mixture is smooth and has slightly thickened, about 2 to 3 minutes.
06 - Reduce heat to low. Stir in the shredded cheddar, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, and Dijon mustard. Whisk until cheeses are fully melted and the sauce is velvety. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed.
07 - Ladle the warm cheese sauce over the cooked chicken breasts and present immediately.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- Creamy cheese sauce clings to juicy chicken like a hug on a tough day.
- It’s one-pan simple, yet always feels a notch fancier than your usual dinner line-up.
02 -
- Once, I hurried the sauce and ended up with clumps—a slow and steady whisk saves everything.
- Adding cheese off the heat keeps the sauce smooth and free from graininess.
03 -
- Double the cheese sauce if you want leftovers—it disappears fast with a crowd.
- Sneak in a pinch of smoked paprika for subtle warmth no one will quite place.