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Home / What Can I Make With Chicken and Cream Cheese

What Can I Make With Chicken and Cream Cheese

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This Cream Cheese Chicken is absolutely decadent! Chicken is smothered in cream cheese, piled with bacon, spices, and cheddar, and baked until juicy.

cream cheese chicken on a plate with potatoes and broccoli

This cream cheese chicken is a crowd favorite. And for good reason! It's juicy, creamy, and packed with flavor. I love this recipe, because it's insanely easy to make. My husband and daughter love this recipe, because it's loaded with cheese and bacon. That's a win-win in my book!

If you're a fan of creamy chicken, you'll also love: instant pot crack chicken, crockpot crack chicken, and chicken and dumplings.

What is cream cheese chicken?

Cream cheese chicken is an easy kid friendly dinner that involves baking chicken breasts with a spread made of cream cheese, green chiles, mayo, spices, cheese, bacon, and green onions.

It's a perfect weeknight meal, because it only requires about 10 minutes of prep and 30 minutes of cook time.

Ingredients

This simple ingredient list packs a huge flavor punch!

  • Chicken Breasts – boneless, skinless chicken breasts are called for in this recipe, but boneless, skinless chicken thighs will work as well. Breasts are leaner, but thighs are often juicier and more affordable. Whichever you use, look for 4 (8 oz) pieces to ensure the meat cooks at the same rate.
  • Cream Cheese – the base for the cream cheese chicken. Cream cheese adds a rich, tangy flavor and creates an ultra creamy sauce. Use full fat for the best flavor and texture. Be sure the cream cheese is at room temperature to make stirring the spread together easier.
  • Green Chiles – balance out the richness of the cream cheese with a tangy, peppery "zing". Look for mild green chiles to keep this kid friendly. If you prefer more spice, try canned, diced jalapenos instead.
  • Mayo – adds a mild, creamy, slightly sweet flavor to the sauce. Use a mayo that tastes good to you — full fat, light, one made with avocado or olive oil, etc.
  • Spices: Dry Ranch Salad Dressing Mix, Garlic Powder, and Chili Powder – dry ranch mix is a super easy way to add a ton of flavor to any recipe; kids especially love the flavor. Garlic powder adds a bit more depth and the chili powder provides just a bit more kick to balance out the rich flavors of the sauce.
  • Cheddar Cheese – use sharp cheddar for a bold cheese flavor. Mild, medium, or any cheese (colby jack, pepper jack, etc.) can be substituted based on your preferences or what you have on hand already. Whatever you use, shredding your own cheese will produce the best results. Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-clumping agents which prohibits the cheese from melting as well.
  • Bacon – cooked and crumbled to provide both a crispy, chewy texture and smoky flavor. Oven baked bacon is my preferred method, because it's easier, less messy, and creates perfectly cooked bacon. If you're really pressed for time, feel free to use already cooked bacon from the store.
  • Green Onions – add a much needed fresh, brightness to the dish. The flavor is more mild than a yellow or white onion and can be stirred into the cream cheese mixture raw. They're used both in the cream cheese chicken and as a garnish over the top.

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If you'd like to lighten this up a bit, use chicken breasts, light cream cheese, and turkey bacon.

How to make

This crowd favorite weeknight dinner is incredibly quick and easy to make!

  1. Place the chicken breasts in a baking dish then set aside.
  2. Stir together cream cheese, green chiles, mayo, ranch seasoning, garlic powder, chili powder, half the cheese, half the bacon, and half the green onions.
  3. Spread mixture evenly over the chicken breasts, then sprinkle on remaining cheese.
  4. Bake in preheated oven until the chicken has cooked through, then top with remaining bacon and green onions.

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Cook your bacon ahead of time to save on prep time. You could even stir together the cream cheese mixture in advance.

How long to bake chicken

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs will cook in a preheated 350 degree F oven for approximately 30-40 minutes. Today's recipe calls for 4 (8 oz) chicken breasts, so you may need more or less time if your breasts are thinner or thicker. Regardless of the size, chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.

Notes & variations

  • Allergy friendly. This recipe is great for those with certain dietary restrictions, because it's nut-free, gluten-free, low carb, and keto.
  • Lighten it up. Use chicken breasts, light cream cheese, and turkey bacon.
  • Make it Tex-Mex. Stir in a packet of taco seasoning, replace the cheddar with a Mexican cheese blend, and serve with pico de gallo and guacamole for a zesty twist.

How to serve

This ultra creamy chicken is great served over rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes alongside a veggie, salad, and some bread!

  • Instant Pot Rice
  • Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
  • Easy Roasted Veggies
  • Pear, Blue Cheese, Candied Pecan Salad
  • Garlic Bread

holding a plate of cream cheese chicken

How to store

Leftovers will last in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for 2-3 months.

To reheat,thaw in the fridge, if frozen, then microwave or warm on the stove until heated through.

– Jennifer

cream cheese chicken on a plate

(equipment shown are affiliate links)

  • 4 (8 oz) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese softened
  • 2 (4 oz) cans green chiles
  • 1/4 cup mayo
  • 1 (1 oz) packet dry ranch salad dressing mix
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 (8 oz) block sharp cheddar cheese shredded and divided
  • 1 pound bacon cooked, crumbled, and divided
  • 1 cup chopped green onions divided

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F, grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray, then place the chicken breasts in a single layer. Set aside.

  • In a medium sized bowl, stir together cream cheese, green chiles, mayo, ranch seasoning, garlic powder, chili powder, half the cheese, half the bacon, and half the green onions.

  • Spread mixture evenly over the chicken breasts, then sprinkle on remaining cheese.

  • Bake for 30-40 minutes or until the chicken has cooked through.

  • Top with remaining bacon and green onions and serve!

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Reheat:Thaw in the fridge, if frozen, then microwave or warm in the oven

*Storage times may vary based on temperature and conditions

Nutrition Facts

Cream Cheese Chicken

Amount Per Serving (4 oz chicken + sauce)

Calories 618 Calories from Fat 414

% Daily Value*

Fat 46g 71%

Saturated Fat 20g 125%

Trans Fat 1g

Cholesterol 172mg 57%

Sodium 1193mg 52%

Potassium 649mg 19%

Carbohydrates 8g 3%

Fiber 1g 4%

Sugar 3g 3%

Protein 40g 80%

Vitamin A 923IU 18%

Vitamin C 7mg 8%

Calcium 252mg 25%

Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

*Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on products used.

Keywords: creamy bacon chicken, kid friendly dinner, quick

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What Can I Make With Chicken and Cream Cheese

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