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#### Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Chicken
1. **Preheat the Oven**: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) so it’s hot and ready when your dish is assembled.
2. **Season the Chicken**: Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel. Drizzle the chicken with olive oil and then sprinkle evenly with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Rub the seasoning all over the chicken to ensure it’s evenly coated.
#### Step 2: Cook the Chicken and Vegetables
1. **Sear the Chicken**: Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add a tablespoon of olive oil and allow it to heat up. Once the oil is hot, place the seasoned chicken breasts in the skillet and sear them for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until the chicken is golden brown. This step helps lock in the juices and creates a crispy crust. Don’t worry about cooking the chicken all the way through at this point, as it will finish cooking in the oven.
2. **Add the Peppers and Onions**: Once the chicken is seared, remove it from the skillet and set it aside. In the same skillet, add the sliced bell peppers and onions. Sauté them for about 3-4 minutes, just until they begin to soften. The leftover bits in the skillet from the chicken will add flavor to the veggies, so stir them around to pick up all that deliciousness.
#### Step 3: Bake the Dish
1. **Return Chicken to Skillet**: Nestle the seared chicken breasts back into the skillet with the peppers and onions. Arrange the chicken so that the vegetables are distributed around it evenly.
2. **Add the Cheese**: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheeses over the top of each chicken breast, making sure each one gets a good amount of cheese.
3. **Bake**: Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F or 75°C). The cheese will melt and bubble, creating a delicious, gooey topping over the chicken.
#### Step 4: Garnish and Serve
1. **Garnish**: Once the dish is out of the oven, sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the top for a pop of color and freshness.
2. **Serve**: Serve the cheesy chicken and peppers with a side of rice, mashed potatoes, or a simple green salad. The juicy chicken combined with the peppers and melted cheese creates a hearty meal that’s satisfying and packed with flavor.
### Tips for Success
– **Customizing the Cheese**: If mozzarella and cheddar aren’t your favorites, feel free to experiment with different cheeses! Gouda, Monterey Jack, or even provolone would work beautifully in this dish. A mix of cheeses can add complexity and richness to the flavor.
– **Add Some Spice**: If you like a little heat, try adding sliced jalapeños or red pepper flakes to the peppers and onions before baking. The heat will complement the creamy cheese and savory chicken perfectly.
– **Make It Low-Carb**: For a low-carb version, skip the rice or potatoes and serve the cheesy baked chicken with steamed vegetables or cauliflower rice. You can also replace the bell peppers with zucchini or mushrooms for a different veggie combination.
– **Use a Cast Iron Skillet**: If you have a cast iron skillet, it’s perfect for this recipe. It helps distribute heat evenly and adds a nice crispy texture to the chicken while also keeping the veggies tender.
– **Add More Veggies**: If you want to make the dish even heartier, consider adding other vegetables like spinach, tomatoes, or even olives. These can be roasted alongside the peppers and onions to create a more complex flavor profile.
### Why You’ll Love This Recipe
– **Quick and Easy**: With minimal prep and just one skillet required, this cheesy baked chicken and peppers dish is as simple as it gets. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.
– **Flavorful and Hearty**: The savory, cheesy chicken paired with the sweetness of bell peppers and onions creates a balanced and flavorful meal that will please even the pickiest eaters.
– **One-Dish Wonder**: Fewer pots and pans means less cleanup! The entire dish comes together in one skillet, which makes it an ideal choice for easy weeknight meals or for when you have guests over.
– **Family-Friendly**: This dish is great for all ages. The cheesy chicken is a surefire hit with kids, while the adults will appreciate the depth of flavors and the satisfying combination of ingredients.
### Conclusion
**Cheesy Baked Chicken and Peppers** is a must-try recipe for anyone looking to bring a comforting, flavorful meal to the table with minimal effort. With juicy chicken, savory peppers and onions, and melty cheese, it’s a dish that’s sure to satisfy your hunger and your taste buds. Plus, it’s a versatile recipe that can easily be customized to suit your personal preferences. Whether you’re cooking for a busy family or impressing guests with a simple yet elegant meal, this cheesy chicken and peppers recipe will become a go-to favorite in your home. Enjoy!
