Easy Peasy Cheesy Mayo Chicken is quick and easy to make and is sure to become a family favorite. It’s moist, flavorful, and melt-in-your-mouth tender using one simple trick!
If you’re looking for an easy dinner with big flavor, this baked chicken with mayo fits the bill. It’s ready in minutes using simple pantry ingredients, yet it tastes like you’ve spent the whole afternoon in the kitchen.
I use mayo as a topping for many of my favorite proteins, from salmon, tilapia, to chicken, and I always had spectacular results. Once you try this simple trick, it will become your favorite method for baking meat and seafood, too.
You will be hard-pressed to overcook and dry out anything in the oven again!
Cooking tips
- Pound the chicken breast with a meat mallet or the back of knife to uniform thickness for even cooking.
- Combine the mayo-cheese when just about ready to top the chicken as the mayo might liquify over time and slide off the chicken when baking.
- If the topping is browning too much before the chicken is cooked through, loosely tent with foil.
The mayo creates a delicious crust that keeps the meat melt-in-your-mouth tender while caramelizing into a golden, creamy mess. The delightful combination of succulent chicken and cheesy topping makes a dinner meal the whole family can’t get enough of!
Serving suggestions
Serve this easy peasy cheesy mayo chicken breasts as the main dish for lunch or dinner with sides of rice, potatoes, or roasted veggies.
Storage and reheating instructions
- Refrigerate leftovers in a container with a tight-fitting lid for up to 3 days.
- To reheat, place in a baking dish and sprinkle with a few tablespoons of chicken broth or water. Heat in a 400 F oven for about 8 to 10 minutes or until a thermometer inserted in the center of the chicken reads 165 F.
Ingredients
- 4 (4-ounces each) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- pepper to taste
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup shredded cheddar
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Place chicken between two sheets of plastic film. Starting from the thickest part, pound the chicken with a meat mallet to flatten.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Arrange in a single layer on a lightly greased baking sheet or oven-safe baking dish.
- In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, cheese, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.
- Spoon the mixture over chicken fillets, spreading to cover the surface completely.
- Bake in a 400 F oven for about 20 to 30 minutes or until a thermometer inserted in the center reads 165 F.
- Remove from heat and allow to rest for about 3 to 5 minutes before slicing. Serve hot.
Notes
Nutrition Information
“This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.”
Rada (journous.com) says
That looks yummy and easy! My mom always puts mayo on chicken so make it softer 🙂
Izabela says
This chicken looks delicious. I really need to try this recipe.
Joie Betterly says
This looks really good. I bet it would make excellent chicken fingers.
Jen Becerril says
This looks very easy to make.My kids love chicken and mayo so I will be trying this out.
Amanda | Glitter & Spice says
Looks SO delicious! And I love that it’s easy to make. Thanks for sharing 🙂
XO Amanda | http://www.glitterandspice.com
Peter Block says
I had to look twice at the chicken after reading the recipe. I cannot believe that this is skinless chicken. The mixture looks just like skin. My family would love the coating you created. I will definitely have to store this idea for future use.
Stephanie Ortez says
I’m trying this tonight! my kids are going to love it.
Christie says
Love a recipe with only a few ingredients but lots of flavor.
Lisa | Garlic + Zest says
I’ve always heard about that mayo trick, but never tried it. You’re right though — that chicken looks moist and tender – and that’s hard to do with a boneless skinless breast! I’m impressed!
Priya says
I’m all for cheese! Delicious chicken..
Kate says
This sounds like the sort of dish my husband would love! Plus you’ve made it sound so easy.
Michelle | A Dish of Daily Life says
I’ll definitely try this out! Never thought to use mayo! Your chicken does look delicious!
Ellen F. says
What an easy weeknight recipe. Perfect for those busy, late evenings.
Tammy says
I was just sitting here asking hubby what he wanted for dinner and he replied chicken. Now I know how I will fix it. Looks yummy and I know the mayo will make it moist.
Robin Masshole Mommy says
That sounds delicious. I can;t wait to try it.
Lalaine says
Hello Robin
I hope you do. It’s so good, you won’t believe how easy it is to make. 🙂