1-First Step: Preheat and Prep the Mushrooms Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C) to get everything ready for baking. In a large ovenproof skillet, melt 4 tablespoons butter over medium heat, which takes about 1-2 minutes. Once melted, add 4 cloves minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds, then mix in 8 ounces sliced brown mushrooms, salt to taste, pepper to taste, and 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley. Cook this until the mushrooms soften, roughly 5 minutes, and set aside to cool for easier handling later. This step builds the flavorful base for your stuffed chicken recipe.

2-Second Step: Season the Chicken Pat 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts dry with paper towels to help seasonings stick better. Season them with salt to taste, pepper to taste, 1 teaspoon onion powder, and 1 teaspoon dried parsley for a tasty coating. If you’re adapting for a lower-sodium diet, use less salt and maybe add herbs instead. This quick seasoning step, which takes about 2 minutes, ensures the chicken absorbs all those wonderful flavors during cooking.

3-Third Step: Stuff the Chicken Slice a horizontal pocket in each chicken breast using a sharp knife, being careful not to cut all the way through. Stuff each one with 2 slices mozzarella cheese and an equal share of the cooled mushroom mixture, then top with 1 tablespoon of the 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese. Secure the openings with toothpicks to keep everything inside this is key for that cheesy garlic butter stuffed chicken effect. For dietary tweaks, like a vegan version, use plant-based cheese here to maintain the gooey texture without dairy.

4-Fourth Step: Sear and Bake In the same skillet with the leftover garlic butter and juices, sear the stuffed chicken breasts until they’re golden on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side over medium heat. Once seared, cover the pan and pop it into your preheated oven. Bake for 20 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F. This step combines the garlic butter chicken’s crispy outside with a juicy, flavorful inside, and you can adjust baking time if using thicker cuts.

5-Fifth Step: Make the Optional Sauce If you want to add extra creaminess, in the same pan, sauté 2 large cloves minced garlic in 1 tablespoon olive oil until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard and 1 1/2 cups half and half, then simmer gently for 2-3 minutes. Add in any leftover mushrooms and 1/2 cup finely grated parmesan cheese, stirring until it melts smoothly. For a thicker sauce, mix in the 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch with 2 teaspoons water and simmer a bit longer. Season with salt to taste, pepper to taste, and 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, then return the chicken to the pan to coat it all up.

6-Final Step: Serve and Enjoy Once done, remove the toothpicks and serve your cheesy garlic butter stuffed chicken with the pan juices and any extra mushrooms over pasta, rice, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal. This easy cheesy garlic butter chicken recipe serves 4 and is ready in about 40 minutes total. For more creative sides, try pairing it with something sweet like our strawberry shortcake trifles for dessert.