Cheesy potato bake with savory chicken: delicious!

 

This comforting casserole combines tender chicken with layers of cheese-smothered potatoes for a satisfying one-dish meal the whole family will love.

 

Ingredients

For the chicken layer:

• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ cup chicken broth
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the potato layer:

• 2 lbs russet potatoes, thinly sliced (about ⅛ inch thick)
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

For garnish:

• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 3 green onions, thinly sliced

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.

2. Prepare the chicken mixture:

   • Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper.
   • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
   • Brown chicken on both sides, about 4 minutes per side (it doesn't need to be fully cooked).
   • Remove chicken and set aside. When cool enough to handle, cut into bite-sized pieces.
   • In the same skillet, add onions and cook until softened, about 3 minutes.
   • Add garlic and bell peppers, cooking another 2 minutes.
   • Stir in oregano, paprika, and cumin, cooking for 30 seconds until fragrant.
   • Add chicken pieces back to the pan with chicken broth, simmer for 2 minutes.

3. Prepare the potato mixture:

   • In a large bowl, combine sliced potatoes, 1 cup of cheddar cheese, garlic powder, thyme, salt, and pepper.
   • In a separate bowl, whisk together heavy cream and melted butter.

4. Assemble the casserole:

   • Spread half of the potato mixture in the bottom of the baking dish.
   • Pour half of the cream mixture over the potatoes.
   • Spread the chicken mixture over the potatoes.
   • Layer the remaining potatoes on top.
   • Pour the remaining cream mixture over everything.
   • Top with the remaining cheddar cheese and all of the mozzarella cheese.

5. Bake:

   • Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes.
   • Remove foil and bake for another 20-25 minutes until potatoes are tender and the top is golden and bubbly.
   • Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

6. Garnish with chopped parsley and green onions before serving.

This Savory Chicken & Cheesy Potato Bake is perfect for family dinners and reheats beautifully for leftovers. The chicken stays juicy while the potatoes get wonderfully tender under a blanket of melted cheese!