This Cheesy Baked Chicken recipe is unbelievably simple!
I was skeptical at first. I thought it might turn out boring or dull, dry or flavorless. Turns out, the flavor is perfect, the chicken is juicy, and then there’s the cheese. Cheese makes everything better.
In keeping with the Simple Recipes theme we have going on here, this recipe can be made with about five minutes of effort. While the chicken is baking, you can quickly make some veggie side dishes. We first enjoyed this chicken with fried sweet potatoes, tossed salad, and buttered peas. It was crazy easy and so, so delicous.
Simple Cheesy Baked Chicken
- 2 pounds boneless chicken thighs or breasts
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or Colby jack recommended)
- Place chicken in a baking dish.
- Drizzle olive oil over the chicken and sprinkle with garlic powder and salt.
- Bake, uncovered, in a 350 degree oven for 20 minutes.
- Sprinkle cheese over the chicken and bake for 10 minutes more or until cheese has melted.

Allow me to put in a word again for using boneless chicken thighs instead of boneless chicken breasts. The thighs have more fat in them, so they are always juicier and more flavorful. I’ve found the price for thighs to be about the same, if not better than what I’ve found for breasts. I’m also enjoying the fact that I continue to find a natural brand of chicken marked down for quick sale at the store. I know it’s not the best of the best when it comes to chicken, but it is at least better than the worst. (You like my logic, there?) I grab all the marked down packages I find, often getting 2-pound packages for about $3.00, and freeze them for when I need them. What a huge money saver!
Have you been enjoying all the new Simple Recipes I’ve shared here lately? They’ll keep coming, because I’m on a roll and this is fun! Here’s the list of what I’ve shared so far:
- Simple Baked Salmon and Asparagus
- Simple Crock Pot Chicken Soup with a Kick
- Simple Skillet Taco Pasta
- Simple Sweet and Sour Baked Chicken Legs
- 20-Minute Taco Soup
I made the taco skillet the other night. I doubled all ingredients but the meat. It was devoured!!! Super simple when I’m homeschooling and have football practice to get my children to.
Keep the simple recipes coming!! They are truly appreciated!!
Love the recipes!!! With 4 growing boys (I guess you’d know something about that??!!? lol) I’m always looking for nutritious, filling, easy, and inexpensive. THANKS!!!!
I’m enjoying the quick recipes — or in the case of chicken recipes, the idea at least. None of these chicken recipes are really quick for me because the only chicken we have is our own butchered chickens, so no boneless anything. Oh well, I can still enjoy these meals, just after I’ve cooked and deboned my chicken (or turkey — our friends raise them!). :-)
Thanks for this simple recipe! We all enjoyed it, and there was no complaining from the kids.
Will this work with frozen chicken breasts? Would I just cook a few minutes longer? We’re in survival mode over here with a new baby. :)
Absolutely! Just add a few minutes cooking time, baking until the chicken is no longer pink!
Tried this tonight because I was having a cheese craving and it was delicious and quick! I added a bit more seasoning and left it in the oven a bit longer to make the edge a bit more crispy, but this will definitely go in the quick and good dinner Arsenal especially with a 3 year old!
Yay! So glad you liked it! My two-year-old loves it too.
-Bethany (HH Team)