Description
Million Dollar Garlic Butter Chicken Bake is a rich, flavorful dish featuring tender chicken thighs smothered in a creamy, cheesy garlic butter topping and finished with a buttery cracker crunch. It delivers maximum flavor with simple steps for any home cook.
Ingredients
- 2 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or Colby Jack cheese
- 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 sleeve buttery round crackers, crushed
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for topping)
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Pat the chicken dry. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.
- Heat the olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown. Move the seared chicken to a plate.
- In a bowl, mix the cream cheese, mayonnaise, shredded cheese, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and 3 tablespoons of melted butter until the mixture is smooth.
- Arrange the chicken in an even layer back into the skillet (or transfer to a 9×13 baking dish). Dollop and spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the chicken pieces.
- In a small bowl, mix the crushed crackers, 2 tablespoons of melted butter, and grated Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the cream cheese topping.
- Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes. Check that the topping is bubbly, the crumbs are golden, and the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C). If the topping darkens too quickly, cover loosely with foil for the final 5 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley.
Notes
- If you use chicken breasts, pound them to 1/2-inch thickness or use cutlets, and reduce the baking time to 18–22 minutes.
- For a stronger garlic flavor, add 1–2 more minced cloves or 1 teaspoon of garlic paste to the topping mixture.
- You can assemble this dish up to step 4, cover it, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. When baking from cold, add an extra 5–10 minutes to the cook time.
- Store leftovers refrigerated for up to 4 days; reheat covered at 325°F until hot throughout.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American