Cheesy Garlic Chicken Dinner Bake

This is my kind of dinner: cheesy, garlicky chicken that bakes itself into a golden, slightly sinful hug for your plate. It’s comfort food that looks like effort but is basically a “set it and pretend you were culinary all afternoon” move. Try it because it’s forgiving, tastes like you cared, and only demands one casserole dish—so you can lie and say you cooked an entire meal while scrolling your phone.

Once, I tried to impress my husband by making this for his birthday. He walked in, sniffed the kitchen like a bloodhound, and asked, “Why does it smell like a garlic confessional?” Then he tried to help and managed to drop the entire can of breadcrumbs into the sink. We stared at soggy breadcrumbs like it was a modern art installation. I served the soggy breadcrumbs anyway. He loved it, because love is not picky when cheese is involved.

Time-Saving Hacks

– Use pre-shredded cheese. It’s not the artisanal choice, but you’ll live.
– Buy pre-minced garlic in a jar. It’s slightly sacrilegious but dramatically faster.
– Skip searing the chicken—toss it straight into the casserole and call it rustic.
– Use foil to line the dish so you can remove evidence without scrubbing. Don’t say I told you to be lazy; say you’re efficient.

Serving Ideas

– Serve with steamed broccoli because dessert doesn’t count as a vegetable.
– Rice or mashed potatoes soak up the garlic cheese like it owes them money.
– Serve with a crisp salad if you want to feel morally superior for five minutes.
– Open a bottle of wine if the kids drove you nuts today; call it research.
– Or, hide under a blanket with a fork and eat straight from the dish—no judgment here.

What to Serve It With

A pile of mashed potatoes, crusty bread to mop up the sauce, or a plain bed of rice if you’re pretending this is a health choice. For veggies: roasted asparagus or a simple green salad. Drinks: something cold and unbothered—iced tea, beer, or a red that won’t complain.

✔Tips & Mistakes

– Don’t overcrowd the dish—give the chicken a little breathing room unless you like stew.
– If your cheese isn’t melty, your oven is probably pretending to be a microwave. Preheat for real.
– Salt carefully—cheese and store-bought sauces already carry a salt grudge.
– If you burn the edges, resist the urge to call it “crispy charm.” Toss the burnt parts and move on emotionally.

✔Storage Tips

Store it in the fridge… if there’s any left. Cold midnight leftovers? Sometimes better than fresh.
– Keep in an airtight container up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven for best results (microwave if you’re in a hurry and willing to live dangerously).
– You can freeze portions for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

✔Variations and Substitutions

Swap whatever you want—sugar ↔ honey, soy sauce ↔ tamari, or skip steps and call it “deconstructed.” It still counts.
– Use turkey or pork if you’re out of chicken.
– Add mushrooms or spinach for a “healthy” vibe.
– Throw in red pepper flakes if you like to live life on the spicy side.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cheesy Garlic Chicken Dinner Bake

A delicious, cheesy chicken bake infused with garlic and baked to perfection.

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Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour

Servings: 6

Calories: 120kcal

Ingredients

 

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Main Ingredients

• ▢ 3.5 lb boneless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
• ▢ 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• ▢ 1 cup cream of chicken soup low fat or regular
• ▢ 1.5 cups pasta cooked and drained, any shape
• ▢ 5 cloves garlic minced
• ▢ 0.5 cup milk
• ▢ 1 tbsp olive oil
• ▢ 0.5 tsp black pepper
• ▢ 1 tsp salt
• ▢ 1 tsp Italian seasoning

Instructions

Preparation Steps

• Preheat your oven to 350°F.
• In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chicken pieces and season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
• Sauté the chicken for about 5-7 minutes until golden and cooked through. Stir in minced garlic for the last minute.
• In a bowl, mix cream of chicken soup, milk, and half of the cheddar cheese until well combined.
• Combine cooked pasta and chicken in a baking dish. Pour the soup mixture over the top, mixing gently.
• Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese on top.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes or until bubbly and golden.
• Allow to cool slightly before serving.

Notes

For an extra touch, add a sprinkle of parsley before serving. You can also use different cheese for variety!