Creamy Baked Chicken with Ham and Cheese (Easy Oven Recipe)
Some nights you just want something warm, easy, and guaranteed to turn out well. This creamy baked chicken with ham and cheese is exactly that. It's one of those recipes I come back to when I don't feel like overthinking dinner but still want something that tastes really good. Plus it's really great it you have some pizza night ingredients hanging out in the fridge in need of using up!
This dish fits right into fall and winter cooking when you want something comforting without spending hours in the kitchen. That said, I make this year-round because it's just that reliable. It's also great to serve to large groups, because I have yet to met a person (or a kid!) who doesn't like it.
For more simple mains with chicken, check out my creamy chicken with mushrooms and buckwheat groats or creamy lemon chicken thighs.
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Quick Look
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Servings: 6 servings
- Difficulty: Easy
- Baking Method: Oven
- Best For: Dinner, weekend meals, simple hosting
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- Summarize & Save This Recipe On:
- Quick Look
- Important Ingredients
- Substitutions & Variations
- How to Make Creamy Baked Chicken with Ham and Cheese (Easy Oven Recipe)
- Baking Schedule
- 💭Crucial Success Tips
- Recipe FAQs
- How To Store Creamy Baked Chicken with Ham and Cheese (Easy Oven Recipe)
- Other Delicious Recipes
- Creamy Baked Chicken with Ham and Cheese (Easy Oven Recipe)
- Need Help Tweaking This Recipe?
- Other Mains You'll Love
- Slow Cooker Chicken Marsala
- Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas
- Slow Cooker Crockpot Summer Vegetable Soup
Important Ingredients
- Chicken breast fillets searing them first helps keep them juicy and adds a bit of color.
- Cooked ham (prosciutto cotto or ham) adds flavor without being too strong. Prosciutto makes it a bit saltier.
- Cheese melts into the cream and helps create the sauce.
- Cooking cream keeps everything smooth and brings the dish together.
See recipe card for quantities.
Substitutions & Variations
- Ham options: Use prosciutto for a stronger, saltier flavor, or stick with regular ham for something milder.
- Cheese choices: Any good melting cheese works here, mozzarella, gouda, or a mix.
- Herbs: Rosemary or thyme both work. You can adjust based on what you have.
How to Make Creamy Baked Chicken with Ham and Cheese (Easy Oven Recipe)
Step 1: Heat a bit of oil or butter in a pan over medium-high heat.
Sear the chicken (Image 1) on both sides until lightly golden (you're not cooking it through, just giving it color).
Place the seared chicken into a baking dish.
Season with pepper and rosemary or thyme, and add salt only if needed (I usually use it if I'm using cooked ham, but don't if I'm using prosciutto or saltier cheeses)
Add a layer of cooked ham over the chicken, then top with shredded cheese (Image 1).
Step 2: Add a layer of cooked ham over the chicken, then top with shredded cheese (Image 2).
Step 3: Bake in a preheated oven at 220°C (425°F) for about 25-30 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the top is golden. I usually bake it covered for about 15-20 minutes, and then I uncover the dish for the final 5-10 minutes (Image 3).
Step 4: Let it sit for a few minutes, then serve while it's still warm (Image 4).
Hint: don't skip the searing step. Even though the chicken finishes in the oven, searing adds flavor and helps lock in moisture. It's a small step that makes a big difference in the final dish.
Baking Schedule
- 0-20 minutes → Bake covered
- 20-30 minutes → Uncover and bake until golden
- 30-35 minutes → Let it rest before serving
💭Crucial Success Tips
Keep an eye on the salt. Ham and cheese already bring saltiness, so it's best to season lightly at first and adjust later if needed.
Recipe FAQs
You can, but the chicken will be less flavorful. Searing creates a light crust and adds depth to the dish.
Mozzarella, gouda, or a mix of cheeses all work well. The key is choosing a cheese that melts smoothly.
Yes. You can assemble everything in the baking dish, cover it, and refrigerate it for several hours before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time if it's going into the oven cold.
How To Store Creamy Baked Chicken with Ham and Cheese (Easy Oven Recipe)
Store leftovers in the fridge in a covered container for up to 2-3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or on the stove so the sauce stays smooth.
This dish can be frozen, but the sauce may change slightly in texture after thawing.
Other Delicious Recipes
- Fast Sourdough Bread Recipe
- Hybrid Sourdough Bread (With Yeast)
- 3-Step Sourdough in Under 4 Hours
- Dinkelbrötchen (Sourdough Spelt Rolls)
If you tried this creamy baked chicken with ham and cheese (easy oven recipe) or any other recipe on my blog please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below! Happy Baking!
Creamy Baked Chicken with Ham and Cheese (Easy Oven Recipe)
Ingredients
- 6 chicken breast fillets approximately
- 200 g ham Cooked, prosciutto cotto
- 300 g cheese shredded
- 300 ml cream Cooking cream or heavy cream if you want it to be extra indulgent
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Rosemary or thyme
- Lard or olive oil for searing
Instructions
- Heat a bit of oil or butter in a pan over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken on both sides until lightly golden (you're not cooking it through, just giving it color).Place the seared chicken into a baking dish. Season with pepper and rosemary or thyme, and add salt only if needed (I usually use it if I’m using cooked ham, but don’t if I’m using prosciutto or saltier cheeses).Add a layer of cooked ham over the chicken, then top with shredded cheese.
- Pour the cream over everything.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 220°C (425°F) for about 25-30 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the top is golden. I usually bake it covered for about 15-20 minutes, and then I uncover the dish for the final 5-10 minutes.
- Let it sit for a few minutes, then serve while it's still warm.
Notes
- Searing first really helps keep the chicken juicy and prevents too much liquid from collecting in the dish.
- Go easy on the salt or skip it altogether, especially if using regular prosciutto.
- Use heavy cream or cooking cream, not sour cream. It keeps the sauce smooth and prevents curdling.
- Since the chicken is already seared, don't overbake or it can turn dry.
- Choose a baking dish that barley the chicken pieces so the cream doesn't evaporate too quickly.
