Mary Berry’s Parmesan Crusted Chicken

  • Type : Dinner

The cream cheese that coats the chicken creates a moist topping, so there is no need for a sauce with this. In summer, serve it with a green salad and new potatoes; in winter, provide a selection of seasonal green vegetables.Made using the Mary Berry Enamel 30cm Oven Tray per serving Calories: 387 Unsaturated fat: 12g Saturated fat: 11g Sodium: 284mg

Ingredients

  • A drizzle olive oil for brushing
  • skinless, boneless chicken breasts, about 500g (1lb 2oz) 
  • A portion salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 125g (41⁄2 oz) full-fat cream cheese 
  • 30g (1oz) sun-blushed tomatoes chopped
  • garlic clove peeled and crushed
  • zest of 1/2 a lemon 
  • 25g (scant 1oz) fresh white breadcrumbs 
  • 25g (scant 1oz) Parmesan cheese grated
  • 2 tbsp snipped chives 
  • red pepper deseeded and cut into 8 wedges

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 200oC (fan 180°C/ 400°F/Gas 6). Oil the 30cm oven tray from my latest range and lay the chicken in the tin. Brush each chicken breast with a small amount of oil, then season.
  2. In a small bowl, mix the cream cheese with the sun-blushed tomatoes, garlic, lemon zest, and black pepper. Set aside.
  3. In another bowl, combine the breadcrumbs with the Parmesan and chives, then season well.
  4. Spread a quarter of the cream cheese mixture over the top of each chicken breast. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture on top of each and pat gently into the cream cheese.
  5. Scatter the pepper wedges around the chicken, brush them with oil, and season with black pepper.
  6. Bake for about 20-25 minutes or until the pepper wedges are charred around the edges, the chicken is cooked, and the topping golden.