Need a new chicken recipe? Maryland Chicken Chesapeake! Marylanders love this crab and cream cheese-filled dish. It’s ideal for dinner parties or weeknight meals and is easy to create.
Tender chicken, creamy crab and cheese filling, and crispy breadcrumb coating will impress your guests. Gather your ingredients, preheat the oven, and let’s make this scrumptious dinner!
I will take you through the steps of how to make this dish, give you some serving ideas, and share tips on storing, and answering some frequently asked questions. So, gather your ingredients, preheat the oven and let’s get started on making this delicious dish!
Maryland Chicken Chesapeake Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup cooked crab meat
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
How To Make Maryland Chicken Chesapeake From Scratch?
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Use a meat mallet to smooth out the chicken breasts. Mix cream cheese, crab meat, green onions, Old Bay, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Blend.
Put a tablespoon of crab mixture on one chicken breast. Tuck the ends of the chicken breast securely around the filling. Repeat with remaining chicken breasts.
Breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and melted butter go in a shallow dish. Blend well. Coat each chicken breast in breadcrumbs evenly.
Bake the chicken breasts for 25–30 minutes until the breadcrumbs are golden brown and the chicken is cooked through.
How To Serve Homemade Maryland Chicken Chesapeake?
Maryland Chicken Chesapeake is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed with a variety of sides. Some of my favorites include Roasted vegetables: broccoli, cauliflower, or green beans, Mashed potatoes, Rice Pilaf, Mac and Cheese, and Coleslaw.
Storage
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight jar for 3 days. Bake the chicken at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes to warm.
It is important to note that reheating in the oven or microwave will not make the breading as crispy as it was when it was first baked. However, the filling will still be warm and delicious.
Another tip is to place a damp paper towel over the chicken while reheating in the microwave to help keep it moist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use canned crab meat instead of fresh?
Yes, you can use canned crab meat instead of fresh. Make sure to drain the canned crab meat before using it in the recipe.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the chicken and fill it ahead of time. Keep it refrigerated until ready to bake.
Can I make chicken Chesapeake with imperial sauce?
I’ve frequently wondered if imperial sauce may be used to make Maryland Chicken Chesapeake. After considerable research and experimentation, I can confidently tell that chicken Chesapeake with imperial sauce is achievable.
Imperial sauce is a Chesapeake Bay staple made with butter, flour, and heavy cream. It’s like Maryland Chicken Chesapeake sauce, but thicker and heavier. I prepare chicken Chesapeake with imperial sauce using a similar recipe but with several changes.
First, I fry my chicken breasts in a skillet with Old Bay seasoning. After that, I take the chicken from the skillet. The imperial sauce is made by mixing butter, flour, and heavy cream in the same skillet until it thickens. After the sauce thickens, I add grated Parmesan cheese and let it melt. I then pour the sauce over the chicken breasts and bake them for 15-20 minutes until they’re done.
A thick and creamy imperial sauce gives the Maryland Chicken Chesapeake a new flavor. It’s perfect for chicken lovers who want a heavier sauce.
It’s vital to note that this imperial sauce is different from the usual one and may affect the final dish. Try a small bit first and tweak the recipe to your liking if you’re unsure.
Easy Maryland Chicken Chesapeake Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons Old Bay seasoning
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.
- Season your chicken breasts with Old Bay seasoning, making sure to evenly coat each piece.
- In a large skillet, melt your butter over medium-high heat.
- Add your chicken breasts to the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown.
- Remove your chicken breasts from the skillet and transfer them to a baking dish.
- In the same skillet, add your flour and whisk it into the butter until it’s smooth and free of lumps.
- Gradually pour in your milk and heavy cream, whisking constantly to prevent lumps.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes, or until it thickens.
- Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in your grated Parmesan cheese.
- Pour the sauce over your chicken breasts and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce is bubbly.
