Description
Savory broccoli cheddar muffins combine hearty vegetables with rich cheese for a satisfying breakfast or snack. Cheesy, nutritious morsels will delight palates and provide a quick, wholesome option when hunger strikes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ½ cup (120 ml) grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup (120 ml) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 cup (240 ml) Caesar dressing (creamy variety recommended)
- 2 tbsps chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Warm the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a baking dish to prevent chicken from sticking.
- Prepare Marinade: Whisk Caesar dressing, Parmesan cheese, black pepper, and garlic powder in a mixing bowl until smoothly blended.
- Coat Chicken: Position chicken breasts in the prepared dish, then lavishly cover each piece with the Caesar mixture, ensuring complete and even coverage.
- Initial Baking: Slide the dish into the preheated oven and roast for 30 minutes, allowing the chicken to absorb the robust Caesar flavors and cook thoroughly.
- Cheese Topping: Carefully remove the dish, then generously crown each chicken breast with mozzarella cheese, creating a molten, golden blanket.
- Final Baking: Return the dish to the oven for an additional 10-15 minutes, monitoring until the cheese transforms into a bubbling, golden crust and the chicken reaches perfect doneness.
- Rest and Garnish: Let the chicken rest for 3-5 minutes to redistribute juices, then scatter fresh parsley on top for a vibrant finish before serving.
Broccoli Cheddar Muffins
- Preheat Oven: Set the oven to 400°F (200°C) and prepare a muffin tin with cooking spray or butter.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly blend flour, baking powder, salt, and dried herbs, creating a uniform base.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Whisk eggs, milk, melted butter, and olive oil in a separate bowl until fully incorporated and smooth.
- Prepare Vegetables: Finely chop broccoli and dice onions, then gently fold these into the wet mixture along with shredded cheddar cheese.
- Create Batter: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture, stirring gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Fill and Bake: Distribute the batter evenly among muffin cups, then bake for 18-22 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Allow muffins to rest in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before enjoying.
Notes
- Cheese Selection Strategy: Use freshly grated mozzarella and Parmesan for optimal melting and flavor intensity compared to pre-shredded varieties.
- Temperature Precision: Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165°F internally, ensuring safe and perfectly cooked protein without dryness.
- Marinade Mastery: Allow Caesar mixture to coat chicken thoroughly for 10-15 minutes before baking to enhance deeper flavor penetration and tenderness.
- Resting Rule: Let chicken rest after baking to redistribute internal juices, preventing dry meat and maintaining maximum moisture and succulence.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg