Ingredients:

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz/170g each)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, freshly ground, to taste
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (45g)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (115g)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (50g)
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or a mix of dried oregano, basil, and thyme)
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream (optional, for extra richness) (60ml)
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Season chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper on both sides.
  3. In the oven-safe skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant (about 1 minute), being careful not to burn it.
  4. Add chicken breasts to the skillet. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown. The chicken doesn't need to be cooked through at this point.
  5. (Optional) Pour heavy cream over the chicken. Sprinkle Italian seasoning evenly over the chicken breasts.
  6. Top each chicken breast generously with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese.
  7. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C) and the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
  8. Garnish with fresh, chopped parsley before serving.