Cast Iron Chicken Breast with Buffalo Cottage Cheese Sauce
Published Jan 15, 2024
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Easy, pan-seared, cast iron chicken breast smothered and baked with a buffalo cottage cheese sauce! An easy, under-30-minute recipe that transforms boring chicken into a creamy, flavor-bursting dish that the entire family will love!
Table of Contents
What Makes This Recipe Great
Chicken doesn’t have to be boring! If you’re getting tired of your regular chicken recipe rotation, I promise this amazing recipe will liven things up!
Cooking chicken breasts has never been easier or tastier with this Cast Iron Chicken Breast smothered in Buffalo Cottage Cheese Sauce! Get out your trusty cast-iron skillet for pan-seared chicken breasts started off on the stovetop, then transferred (in the same pan!) to the oven to finish cooking with the melty cheese sauce.
The pan juices keep the chicken tender and delicious, and the cheesy sauce on top gives it tons of flavor! Plus, this high-protein meal will leave everyone full and satisfied.
This easy weeknight dinner comes together in less than 30 minutes and is one the whole family will love!
Ingredient Notes
Pan-Seared Chicken Breast
- chicken breasts: I used boneless skinless chicken breasts. You can use boneless chicken thighs if desired. Just keep in mind you may need to adjust the cooking time.
- avocado oil
- salt and pepper
- shredded parmesan cheese or mozzarella cheese
Buffalo Cottage Cheese Sauce
- cottage cheese: Use full-fat cottage cheese or low-fat cottage cheese, depending on your preferences.
- buffalo sauce: I like Frank’s Red Hot, but use your favorite!
- garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional: 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken and Preheat Oven: Season the chicken with salt and pepper on both sides. Preheat oven to 350F.
- Brown Chicken: Heat a cast-iron pan or ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat with a bit of avocado oil or olive oil, and add the chicken breasts. Sear the chicken and cook for 5 minutes on one side until golden brown. Use tongs to flip the chicken breasts and cook for an additional 5 minutes on the other side. Lower the heat to medium heat if necessary to prevent burning.
- Make Buffalo Sauce: Add all of the ingredients for the buffalo cottage cheese sauce to a food processor and blend until smooth and your desired consistency is reached.
- Top Chicken With Buffalo Sauce and Cheese: Add a tablespoon or so of the buffalo sauce on top of each pan-seared chicken breast along with shredded cheese. Transfer the skillet with the chicken to the oven and cook until the sauce is bubbly and the chicken is 165F internal temp, 10 minutes or so.
- Serve: Serve with your favorite side dishes like steamed broccoli, green beans, roasted potatoes, cauliflower rice, or brown rice. Enjoy!
Mac’s Pro Tip
Serving Tips
- Serve this delicious chicken recipe with your favorite sides, including vegetables (asparagus, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and more!), rice, salad, or your favorite side dish. Smother with additional cheese or creamy sauce if desired, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Storage Tips
- Store leftover cast-iron chicken breasts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Store any leftover cottage cheese sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Use it as a cottage cheese dip or for additional chicken recipes!
Recipe FAQs
Make sure you coat the pan with enough oil to prevent sticking. Also, make sure to lower the heat if you see signs of sticking, and add a bit more oil.
I prefer to use avocado oil because it has a high smoke point, which means it does better in high temperatures than other cooking oils. If olive oil is all you have on hand, it will work, too, just make sure to lower the heat if you’re concerned about the chicken burning and sticking.
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Cast Iron Chicken Breast with Buffalo Cottage Cheese Sauce
Ingredients
Chicken Breasts
- 4-5 chicken breasts
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- salt and pepper
- 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese or mozzarella cheese
Cottage Cheese Buffalo Sauce
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1/4 cup buffalo sauce adjust to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken and Preheat Oven: season the chicken with salt and pepper on both sides. Preheat oven to 350F.
- Brown Chicken: Heat a cast iron skillet or ovenproof skillet over medium/high heat with a little avocado oil, and add the chicken breasts. Cook for 5 minutes on one side until golden brown. Flip the chicken breasts and cook for an additional 5 minutes on the other side. Adjust the heat if necessary to prevent burning.
- Make Buffalo Sauce: Add all of the ingredients for the buffalo cottage cheese sauce to a food processor and blend until smooth and your desired consistency is reached.
- Top Chicken With Buffalo Sauce and Cheese: Add a tablespoon or so of the buffalo sauce on top of each pan-seared chicken breast along with shredded cheese. Transfer the skillet with the chicken to the oven and cook until the sauce is bubbly and the chicken is 165F internal temp, 10 minutes or so.
- Serve: Serve with steamed broccoli, cauliflower rice, or brown rice. Enjoy!
Notes
Serving Tips
Serve this delicious chicken recipe with your favorite sides, including vegetables (asparagus, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and more!), rice, salad, or your favorite side dish. Smother with additional cheese or creamy sauce if desired, and season with salt and pepper to taste.Storage Tips
Store leftover cast-iron chicken breasts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Store any leftover cottage cheese sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Use it as a cottage cheese dip or for additional chicken recipes!Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
The add in of cottage cheese was brilliant. My husband loved this meal. Thank you !
This is great to hear! So happy he liked it!