Creamy Mozzarella Chicken Alfredo
Indulge in the rich flavors of Creamy Mozzarella Chicken Alfredo! This dish features tender, breaded chicken breast topped with melted mozzarella and a luxurious Alfredo sauce made from creamy heavy cream and parmesan. Perfect for a family dinner or special occasion, this recipe combines the comforting tastes of Italian cuisine with a delightful crunch from golden breadcrumbs. Serve it over pasta or alongside fresh vegetables for a complete meal that will leave everyone asking for seconds!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
boneless skinless chicken breast halves
6 (trimmed and patted dry)
salt
to taste (to season)
pepper
to taste (to season)
flour
1/2 cup (for dredging)
large eggs
3 (beaten)
water
3 tablespoons (for egg mixture)
grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup (for egg mixture)
chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons (freshly chopped for egg mixture)
breadcrumbs
1 cup (for coating)
butter
3 tablespoons (for cooking chicken)
oil
2 tablespoons (for cooking chicken)
mozzarella cheese
6 (slices)
heavy cream
1 cup (for Alfredo sauce)
water
1/4 cup (for Alfredo sauce)
butter
1/4 cup (for Alfredo sauce)
grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup (for Alfredo sauce)
snipped parsley
2 tablespoons (for garnish)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2
Season the boneless, skinless chicken breast halves with salt and pepper on both sides.
3
Lightly coat each piece of chicken in flour, shaking off the excess.
4
In a mixing bowl, combine the beaten eggs, water, grated parmesan cheese, and chopped parsley. Whisk until well blended.
5
Dip each chicken breast into the egg mixture, ensuring it's fully coated, then dredge in breadcrumbs until evenly covered.
6
In a large skillet, heat the butter and oil over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook for about 6-7 minutes on each side or until golden brown and cooked through. This should take around 15 minutes total.
7
Once cooked, transfer the chicken breasts to an 11 x 7 inch baking dish.
8
In a saucepan, heat the heavy cream, water, and butter over medium heat until the butter is fully melted.
9
Gradually add the grated parmesan cheese, stirring constantly until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Allow it to simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
10
Mix in the snipped parsley for added freshness.
11
Pour the Alfredo sauce generously over the chicken breasts, ensuring they are well covered.
12
Top each piece of chicken with a slice of mozzarella cheese.
13
Bake in the preheated oven for about 8 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly and the chicken is tender.
14
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your Creamy Mozzarella Chicken Alfredo!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Mozzarella Chicken Alfredo?
It is an indulgent Italian-inspired dish featuring tender, breaded chicken breasts topped with melted mozzarella and a rich Alfredo sauce made from heavy cream and parmesan.
What are the main ingredients for the chicken breading?
The breading requires flour for dredging, a mixture of beaten eggs, water, grated parmesan, and chopped parsley, followed by a coating of breadcrumbs.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 425°F (220°C) for the final baking step.
How long should I cook the chicken in the skillet?
Cook the chicken for approximately 6-7 minutes on each side, totaling about 15 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through.
How do I make the Alfredo sauce from scratch?
Heat heavy cream, water, and butter in a saucepan, then gradually stir in grated parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy, simmering for about 5 minutes.
What size baking dish is needed for this recipe?
An 11 x 7 inch baking dish is recommended to hold the six chicken breast halves.
How long does the dish need to bake in the oven?
Bake the assembled dish for about 8 minutes, or until the mozzarella cheese is fully melted, bubbly, and the chicken is tender.
What should I serve with Creamy Mozzarella Chicken Alfredo?
This dish is perfect when served over your favorite pasta or alongside a side of fresh vegetables.
Is it necessary to pat the chicken dry?
Yes, trimming and patting the chicken dry ensures that the flour and breading adhere properly to the meat.
Can I use fresh parsley in the recipe?
Yes, the recipe calls for chopped fresh parsley in the egg mixture and snipped parsley as a garnish for freshness.
How much parmesan cheese do I need total?
You will need 1/4 cup for the egg mixture and 1/2 cup for the Alfredo sauce, totaling 3/4 cup of grated parmesan.
What type of cheese goes on top of the chicken?
Six slices of mozzarella cheese are placed on top of the chicken breasts before the final baking.
Can I use oil instead of butter for frying?
The recipe uses a combination of 3 tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons of oil to provide both flavor and a high smoke point for frying.
Why is water added to the egg mixture?
Adding 3 tablespoons of water to the beaten eggs helps thin the mixture slightly, making it easier to coat the chicken evenly.
How many servings does this recipe make?
The recipe is designed for 6 boneless skinless chicken breast halves, serving approximately 6 people.
Is the chicken breaded before or after the sauce is added?
The chicken is breaded and pan-fried first, then the Alfredo sauce and mozzarella are added before baking.
Can I use heavy cream substitutes?
While heavy cream provides the best luxurious texture for Alfredo sauce, you can use half-and-half, though the sauce may be thinner.
What is the purpose of the flour dredging step?
Dredging in flour creates a dry surface that allows the egg mixture to stick better, preventing the breading from falling off during cooking.
Should I season the chicken before breading?
Yes, you should season the chicken halves with salt and pepper on both sides before starting the dredging process.
How do I know the Alfredo sauce is finished cooking?
The sauce is ready when the cheese is melted, and it reaches a smooth, creamy consistency after simmering for about 5 minutes.
Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh?
You can, but use smaller quantities of dried herbs as they are more potent than fresh parsley.
Does this recipe include garlic?
The standard recipe provided does not list garlic, but it can be added to the sauce or skillet for extra flavor.
What makes the chicken 'golden brown'?
The combination of breadcrumbs, parmesan in the coating, and frying in butter and oil produces the golden brown crust.
Why let the dish rest before serving?
Resting for a few minutes allows the juices in the chicken to redistribute and the sauce to set slightly for a better eating experience.
Can I use Panko breadcrumbs?
Yes, Panko breadcrumbs can be used if you prefer a lighter, extra-crunchy texture.
What is the role of butter in the Alfredo sauce?
Butter adds richness and helps create a velvety mouthfeel when combined with the heavy cream and parmesan.
Is this a quick weeknight meal?
With a total prep and cook time of roughly 30-40 minutes, it is suitable for a family dinner or a special evening.
Can I double the sauce recipe?
Yes, if you prefer extra sauce for your pasta, you can easily double the heavy cream, butter, and parmesan measurements.
How do I ensure the mozzarella melts properly?
Placing the slices on the hot chicken and baking at 425°F ensures the cheese becomes bubbly and fully melted within 8 minutes.
Is it okay to use pre-grated parmesan?
Yes, though freshly grated parmesan often melts more smoothly into the Alfredo sauce than pre-packaged varieties.