This oven baked 3-ingredient cream cheese pimento chicken is the sort of dish that disappears faster than you can set it down. My aunt used to make it every spring for her bridge club, and those ladies would absolutely fight over the last piece. Even now, more than 20 years later, they still talk about “that pimento chicken” whenever we bump into them at the church bazaar. It’s pure Midwestern comfort: tender baked chicken breasts smothered in a tangy, creamy orange pimento cheese topping that bubbles and browns around the edges. With just three simple ingredients and one baking dish, it’s a practical, no-fuss recipe that feels special enough for company but easy enough for a Tuesday night.
Serve this cream cheese pimento chicken hot from the oven with something that can soak up that rich, melty sauce. In my family, we like it over fluffy mashed potatoes or buttered egg noodles, with a side of green beans or steamed broccoli for a little color on the plate. A crisp lettuce salad with a simple vinaigrette helps cut through the richness. If you’re feeding a crowd, add warm dinner rolls or thick slices of crusty bread so folks can swipe up every last bit from the baking dish—because trust me, they will.
Oven Baked 3-Ingredient Cream Cheese Pimento ChickenServings: 4
Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 pounds total)
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 (4-ounce) jar diced pimentos, well drained
Directions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a medium-sized white ceramic baking dish (about 9x13 inches or similar) so the chicken doesn’t stick.
Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and trim any excess fat. Lay them in a single layer in the prepared baking dish, leaving a little space between each piece so the heat can circulate.
In a medium bowl, add the softened cream cheese and the well-drained diced pimentos. Stir together with a spoon or spatula until the pimentos are evenly distributed and the mixture is an even, creamy orange color. If the cream cheese is too firm, let it sit at room temperature a few more minutes or mash it with the back of a spoon until smooth.
Spoon the cream cheese pimento mixture evenly over the tops of the chicken breasts, spreading it all the way to the edges of each piece so they’re well covered. Don’t worry if some of the mixture falls down the sides—it will melt and mingle with the pan juices as it bakes.
Place the baking dish on the middle rack of the preheated oven. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the cream cheese pimento topping is melted, bubbling, and golden in spots around the edges. The exact time will depend on the thickness of your chicken breasts.
Check for doneness by inserting an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of a breast; it should read at least 165°F (74°C). If the chicken is done but you’d like a deeper golden color on top, you can move the dish under the broiler for 1 to 3 minutes, watching closely so the topping doesn’t scorch.
Remove the dish from the oven and let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes. This helps the juices settle and the creamy topping thicken slightly so it clings nicely to each piece. Serve warm, spooning some of the melted cream cheese pimento sauce from the bottom of the dish over each portion.
Variations & Tips
If you’d like to dress this up a bit while still keeping the spirit of the original, you can sprinkle a little shredded mild cheddar or Colby Jack over the cream cheese pimento layer before baking for extra cheesiness and a deeper golden top. For a slight kick, stir a pinch of black pepper or a dash of hot sauce into the cream cheese and pimentos before spreading it on the chicken. If your chicken breasts are very large or thick, slice them horizontally into cutlets or gently pound them to an even thickness so they cook more evenly and in the suggested time. You can also make this with boneless, skinless chicken thighs; just trim them well and bake until they reach 165°F, adding a few extra minutes if needed. For a lighter version, use reduced-fat cream cheese, but avoid fat-free, as it doesn’t melt as smoothly and can become watery. Food safety tips: Always start with fresh or properly thawed chicken—if using frozen, thaw it fully in the refrigerator, never on the counter. Wash your hands, cutting board, and any utensils that touch raw chicken with hot, soapy water before using them for anything else. Use an instant-read thermometer to confirm the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of baking, storing them in a covered container in the fridge for up to 3 days, and reheat thoroughly before serving.
