Cajun Chicken with Bell Peppers and Cream Cheese Recipe
This Cajun Chicken with Bell Peppers recipe offers a flavorful and creamy twist on classic baked chicken. Tender chicken breasts are seasoned with a homemade Cajun spice blend, layered over thinly sliced bell peppers, and topped with rich cream cheese and shredded cheddar. Baked to perfection and optionally broiled for a golden finish, this dish is perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner with bold flavors and comforting textures.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Vegetables
- 2 small bell peppers, thinly sliced (or mini sweet peppers)
Chicken and Cheeses
- 4 small chicken breasts
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 oz cream cheese, cold and sliced into 8 slices
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Prepare Cajun seasoning: In a small bowl, combine the paprika, cayenne pepper, oregano, thyme, and salt. Mix well to create the Cajun seasoning blend.
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the chicken.
- Arrange bell peppers: Place the thinly sliced bell peppers evenly on the bottom of a casserole dish to create a flavorful bed for the chicken.
- Place chicken breasts: Lay the chicken breasts on top of the bell peppers, ensuring they are evenly spaced for even cooking.
- Season chicken: Generously sprinkle the prepared Cajun seasoning over the chicken breasts. You can choose to use all or part of the seasoning blend based on your spice preference. Next, sprinkle the minced garlic evenly over the chicken.
- Add cream cheese: Place 2 slices of cold cream cheese on top of each chicken breast for a rich and creamy layer.
- Top with cheddar: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the cream cheese on each chicken breast.
- Bake: Put the casserole dish uncovered into the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Broil (optional): For a golden and slightly crispy cheese topping, broil the chicken for an additional 2 minutes under high heat—watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Serve: To serve, scoop the cooked bell peppers from underneath the chicken and arrange them around and on top of the chicken breasts for a colorful and tasty presentation.
Notes
- You can adjust the cayenne pepper to control the heat level of the Cajun seasoning.
- Using cold cream cheese helps maintain its shape while baking for distinct layers.
- Broiling is optional but adds a nice golden finish to the cheese topping.
- Ensure chicken is cooked through by checking with a meat thermometer for safety.
- Mini sweet peppers can be used as a colorful alternative to bell peppers.
