Craving a satisfying, restaurant-quality meal without the fuss? Our **Baked Alfredo Chicken** is your perfect solution for a winning weeknight dinner, expertly crafted with readily available pantry staples. Imagine tender, juicy chicken coated in a golden, crispy crust, generously smothered in creamy Alfredo sauce and melted cheese. Pair it with wholesome roasted vegetables and savory baked beans, and you’ve got a complete, mouth-watering meal that’s both quick to prepare and incredibly delicious.

Baked Alfredo Chicken: Your New Go-To Recipe for Effortless Flavor

Forget complicated recipes and endless cleanup. This Baked Alfredo Chicken recipe brings the beloved creamy, cheesy flavors of Chicken Alfredo to your table in a simple, baked format that’s perfect for any occasion, especially those demanding weeknights. With its crispy exterior and succulent interior, this dish promises to be a family favorite.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Baked Alfredo Chicken Recipe

• Effortlessly Delicious: Achieve incredible flavor with minimal effort, making it ideal for busy schedules.
• Pantry-Friendly: Relies heavily on staples you likely already have, cutting down on grocery runs.
• Family Favorite: A crowd-pleaser that even picky eaters will adore, thanks to its creamy, cheesy goodness.
• Versatile & Customizable: Easily adapt the recipe with your favorite seasonings or add-ins.
• Complete Meal: Pairs perfectly with simple sides like roasted vegetables and baked beans for a balanced dinner.

Essential Ingredients for Baked Alfredo Chicken

Creating this delightful dish requires just a few key components. We’ll break down each one to ensure you get the best results.

• Chicken: For convenience and quick cooking, boneless, skinless chicken breasts are ideal. You can also opt for boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a richer flavor and even more tender texture. Ensure pieces are uniform in size for even cooking.
• Cheese: The quality of your cheese makes a big difference! We recommend freshly shredded Parmesan and mozzarella. Freshly grated cheese melts more smoothly and offers a superior flavor compared to pre-shredded varieties, which often contain anti-caking agents.
• Alfredo Sauce: To keep things simple, a good quality canned or jarred Alfredo sauce works wonderfully. However, if you have a little extra time and want to elevate the dish, making your own creamy Alfredo sauce from scratch will truly take this recipe to the next level.
• Panko Breadcrumbs: These are a game-changer for achieving a truly crispy coating. Unlike regular breadcrumbs, panko flakes are larger and airier, creating a lighter, crunchier texture. You’ll typically find them right next to traditional breadcrumbs in the baking aisle.
• Seasoning: A blend of common spices brings out the best in the chicken. Our recipe uses salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning (a blend of dried herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary), and garlic powder for a depth of savory flavor.
• Cooking Spray: Essential for preventing sticking and aiding in a golden-brown finish without excessive oil.
• For the Perfect Side: While the chicken is the star, the right accompaniments complete the meal. Canned baked beans offer a sweet and savory contrast, and easy roasted broccoli adds a healthy, vibrant touch.

Step-by-Step Guide: How To Make Baked Alfredo Chicken

Follow these straightforward steps to prepare your delicious Baked Alfredo Chicken:

1. Prepare Your Workspace and Chicken: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly spray an 8×8-inch baking pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking and set it aside. This ensures your chicken bakes perfectly without adhering to the pan. Remove any visible fat from your boneless, skinless chicken breasts and cut them into 8 uniform pieces. Using a food scale is highly recommended here; aim for pieces that are approximately 2 ounces each. Evenly sized pieces are crucial for consistent cooking and a perfect texture throughout. Season all sides of the chicken generously with salt and pepper.
2. Set Up Your Dredging Stations: Grab two shallow bowls. In the first bowl, pour 1/3 cup of your chosen Alfredo sauce. In the second bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and a pinch more salt and pepper. Stir these dry ingredients well to ensure they are evenly mixed.
3. Coat the Chicken for a Crispy Crust: Take each seasoned chicken piece and first dredge it thoroughly in the Alfredo sauce, ensuring it’s fully coated. Let any excess sauce drip off. Then, transfer the chicken piece to the panko mixture, pressing firmly on all sides to adhere the breadcrumbs. This creates that desirable crispy crust. Arrange the coated chicken pieces in your prepared baking pan, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overcrowded.
4. Initial Bake and Adding Sauce & Cheese: Bake the chicken in the preheated oven, uncovered, for 20 minutes. This allows the chicken to start cooking through and the breading to crisp up. After 20 minutes, carefully remove the pan from the oven. Evenly spoon the remaining 2/3 cup of Alfredo sauce over the chicken pieces, then sprinkle with 1/2 cup of freshly shredded mozzarella cheese.
5. Final Bake and Serve: Return the pan to the oven and continue baking for another 8–10 minutes, or until the chicken is completely cooked through and the cheese is bubbly and golden. To ensure safety and optimal doneness, use a reliable meat thermometer to check the internal temperature; it should read 165°F (74°C) at its thickest part. Once done, remove from the oven and let it rest for a minute or two before serving. For an extra burst of flavor and a beautiful finish, grate additional fresh Parmesan cheese over the top just before serving.

Pro Tips for a Flawless Baked Alfredo Chicken

Elevate your dish from great to extraordinary with these expert tips:

• Achieve Even Cooking with a Food Scale: To guarantee that every piece of Baked Alfredo Chicken cooks perfectly and simultaneously, use a food scale to cut your chicken into evenly sized portions. This prevents some pieces from drying out while others are still undercooked.
• Freshly Grated Parmesan for Superior Texture and Flavor: After baking, a microplane zester is your best friend for grating fresh Parmesan over the top. The finely grated cheese melts beautifully, providing a delicate texture and an intense burst of salty, nutty flavor that pre-grated options simply can’t match.
• Always Grate Cheese Fresh: This tip bears repeating! Whether it’s Parmesan or mozzarella, always opt for grating your cheese fresh from the block. Freshly grated cheese melts significantly better and offers a far superior taste and texture compared to pre-shredded varieties, which often contain cellulose to prevent clumping.
• Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Ensure there’s a little space between each chicken piece in the baking pan. Overcrowding can steam the chicken instead of baking it, leading to a less crispy crust.
• Let It Rest: After removing the chicken from the oven, allow it to rest for 5 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the chicken, resulting in a more tender and moist final product.

Serving Suggestions and Perfect Pairings

This Baked Alfredo Chicken is incredibly versatile and pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides to create a well-rounded meal. Beyond the suggested roasted broccoli and baked beans, consider serving it with a generous portion of your favorite pasta, a crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette, or some warm, crusty garlic bread to soak up every last bit of that delectable Alfredo sauce. Fluffy rice or quinoa also make excellent companions, providing a neutral base to highlight the chicken’s rich flavors.

Variations and Customizations to Try

Feel free to get creative and tailor this recipe to your taste:

• Spice It Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the panko mixture or the Alfredo sauce for a subtle kick.
• Add More Veggies: Incorporate sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or sun-dried tomatoes into the Alfredo sauce before pouring it over the chicken for added flavor and nutrients.
• Herb Boost: Freshly chopped parsley, basil, or chives sprinkled over the top after baking can add a vibrant freshness.
• Cheese Variations: Experiment with different cheeses! A blend of Gruyere and Parmesan, or a touch of Fontina, can add new dimensions of flavor.
• Gluten-Free Option: Easily make this recipe gluten-free by using gluten-free panko breadcrumbs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I use frozen chicken breasts?

Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts, but ensure they are fully thawed before proceeding with the recipe. Pat them very dry to help the breading adhere better.

What if I don’t have panko breadcrumbs?

While panko is recommended for its superior crispiness, you can substitute it with regular breadcrumbs. The texture won’t be as light and crunchy, but it will still be delicious.

Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

You can prepare the chicken pieces (cut, seasoned, and coated in Alfredo and panko) a few hours in advance and keep them covered in the refrigerator. Bake just before serving for the best results. Assembled and baked, it reheats well for quick meals.

How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

The most accurate way is to use a meat thermometer. Insert it into the thickest part of the chicken, ensuring it reads an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). The juices should also run clear.

What kind of Alfredo sauce is best for this recipe?

Choose a high-quality jarred Alfredo sauce for convenience. Brands like Rao’s are often praised for their rich flavor. Alternatively, a simple homemade Alfredo sauce can make this dish truly exceptional.

Baked Alfredo Chicken Recipe

By: Chelsea Lords

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Servings: 2 servings

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Equipment

• 8 x 8-inch baking pan

Ingredients

• Cooking spray
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Salt and pepper
• 1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon panko breadcrumbs
• 1 container Rao’s Alfredo, divided
• 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated on a zester, plus more for serving
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon roasted garlic powder
• 1/2 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Spray an 8×8-inch baking pan with cooking spray and set aside.
2. Remove fat from chicken and cut into 8 even pieces (use a food scale if possible; each piece should weigh 2 ounces). Season chicken on all sides with salt and pepper.
3. Set out 2 bowls. Place 1/3 cup Alfredo sauce in one. In the other, place panko, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
4. Dredge each chicken piece in the Alfredo and then in the panko mixture, pressing firmly to coat. Place chicken pieces in the prepared pan.
5. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes.
6. Remove from oven and cover with 2/3 cup Alfredo sauce and 1/2 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese.
7. Return to oven and bake for another 8–10 minutes, or until chicken is completely cooked through (thermometer reads 165°F / 74°C). Remove and serve. Grate additional Parmesan cheese on top.

Recipe Notes

Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through.

Nutrition Information

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 881kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 70g | Fat: 54g | Saturated Fat: 26g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 11g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 327mg | Sodium: 2340mg | Potassium: 927mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 404IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 394mg | Iron: 2mg

We hope you love this Baked Alfredo Chicken as much as we do! It’s truly a testament to how simple ingredients can create an unforgettable meal. Don’t forget to leave a comment below and share your experience with this recipe!