This Everything Bagel chicken with scallion cream cheese sauce is pure NYC bagel heaven! Chicken breasts are coated in Everything But the Bagel seasoning and baked to perfection then smothered in a delicious scallion cream cheese sauce. Keto and low carb with paleo and dairy-free options.
True or false: the Everything bagel is the perfect bagel.
True, duh. Well, maybe. If I’m in the mood for sweet, it’s cinnamon raisin all the way. But savory? Everything bagel is king.
And Everything But the Bagel seasoning? She might be the queen. With a classic garlicky, oniony flavor and tons of crunch from the sesame and poppy seeds, I want to coat just about everything in Everything Bagel seasoning.
Including, or maybe especially, this Everything Bagel Chicken with Scallion Cream Cheese Sauce. Yep – this recipe takes the very best parts of a classic Everything bagel and scallion cream cheese (Except maybe the squishy carbs and post-bagel bloat…) and turns it into a keto and low carb dinner that’s super easy to throw together.
Why This Everything Bagel Chicken Is So Good
- It’s really easy to make! Prep only takes about 5 minutes for both the chicken and the sauce.
- The Everything Bagel seasoning creates a super flavorful and crunchy crust.
- The scallion cream cheese sauce is crazy easy and absolutely delicious. I’d eat it on everything.
- This recipe is keto and low carb with only 2g net carbs per serving.
Everything But the Bagel Seasoning
Everything But the Bagel Sesame Seasoning started as a Trader Joe’s concoction but quickly spread in popularity. I personally ordered this giant container from Amazon and love how generous I can be with it.
If you don’t have any on hand and want to make this recipe tonight, you can always make your own Everything Bagel seasoning. You’d be a-OK to swap the white poppy seeds for black and vice versa.
How to Make Everything Bagel Chicken with Scallion Cream Cheese Sauce
Start by preheating your oven to 400º F and taking your cream cheese out of the refrigerator. You’ll only use half a block, so save the rest!
Place your chicken breasts top-down (meaning the smooth, rounded side) in a baking dish. A 9×9″ pan will work, as will a larger pan. Brush the surface of the chicken with half the melted butter using a pastry brush, then season with salt. You’ll use less than you normally would because most Everything Bagel seasonings contain salt.
Then, sprinkle half of the Everything But the Bagel seasoning over the chicken. It should be pretty coated.
Carefully flip the chicken and repeat: brush the tops with half the butter, sprinkle with salt, and finish by coating the chicken with the remaining Everything But the Bagel seasoning.
Bake for about 25-35 minutes, depending on the size of your chicken breasts. 25 minutes for small, 30 for medium, 35 for large – that will get you pretty close!
I recommend using an internal meat thermometer with a probe to produce the best chicken. Your chicken will be done when the internal temperature reaches 160º F; it will rise to 165º as it rests.
Meanwhile, melt the 1 tablespoon butter in a medium bowl. Next, mix together all sauce ingredients, whisking well to combine. Taste and season with salt.
When the chicken is fully baked, remove from the oven and let sit, preferably on a cutting board or plate, for 5 minutes. Serve, smothering with plenty of scallion cream cheese sauce!
Tips & Variations
- Make sure you soften your cream cheese before trying to stir in the scallions, butter, and seasoning.
- If you forget to take your cream cheese out to soften, microwave it in a medium bowl at 50% power in 20-second intervals until softened.
- If you’re paleo, use ghee instead of butter, nondairy cream cheese like Kite Hill, and your favorite plain, unsweetened nondairy milk like macadamia or almond milk.
- If you’re dairy-free, use avocado oil or vegan butter in place of butter and follow the remaining swaps in the tip above.
- Use an internal thermometer for the best chicken ever. I use this internal thermometer with a probe when baking meat and poultry in the oven; it sounds an alarm when the desired temperature is reached. Set your temperature to 160º F for moist chicken; it will rise to 165º upon resting.
If you like this recipe, you’ll love:
- Mashed Potato Pancakes
- Grilled Baked Potatoes
- BBQ Jackfruit Sandwiches
- Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
- Chickpea Gyros
- Loaded Greek Chicken Bowls
- Healthy Creamy Tuscan Chicken with Artichokes
- Creamy Tomato Artichoke Chicken
- Cauliflower Fried Rice with Chicken
- Lemon Pepper Chicken
And if you’re counting grams of net carbs, make sure you bookmark our Net Carb Calculator to easily calculate carbs for a keto or low carb diet.
Hey – you’ve made it this far, and now we’re best friends! If you make this recipe, I’d love for you to give it a star rating ★ below. Make sure you follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook, too!
Everything Bagel Chicken with Scallion Cream Cheese Sauce
Ingredients
Everything Bagel Chicken
- 2 tablespoons butter melted, see Note
- 4 medium chicken breasts
- salt
- 1/4 cup Everything But the Bagel seasoning
Scallion Cream Cheese Sauce
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon Everything But the Bagel seasoning
- 4 oz. cream cheese softened, see Note
- 6 tablespoons chopped green onions 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons
- 1/4 cup half-and-half or milk see Note
Garnishes
- green onions thinly sliced
- Everything But the Bagel seasoning
Wine Pairings — See Notes
- 2019 Adelante Sauvignon Blanc click to buy
- 2019 Etnico Rosé click to buy
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400º F. Place chicken breasts top-down in a baking dish. 9×9" or larger. Using a pastry brush, brush surface of chicken with butter then sprinkle with salt. Don't use as much salt as you normally would, since most Everything But the Bagel seasonings have salt in them.
- Sprinkle surface of chicken with half the Everything But the Bagel seasoning. Use tongs and carefully flip chicken breasts. Brush tops with the remaining butter, sprinkle with the salt and coat with the remaining Everything but the Bagel seasoning.
- Bake at 400º F for 25-35 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 160º F. See Note.
- Meanwhile, melt 1 tablespoon butter in a medium bowl. Whisk in remaining sauce ingredients until very smooth. Taste and add salt to taste.
- When chicken is baked, remove from oven and let stand 5 minutes. Serve with plenty of scallion cream cheese sauce.
Video
Notes
- Make it Paleo: Use ghee or a neutral oil, like avocado oil or refined coconut oil.
- Make it Dairy Free: Use vegan butter or a neutral oil, dairy free cream cheese, and unsweetened, plain, non-dairy milk of choice.
- Cooking times will vary by size of chicken breast.
- Small chicken breasts: approximately 25 minutes
- Medium chicken breasts: approximately 30 minutes
- Large chicken breasts: approximately 35 minutes
Nutrition
Cheryl Malik is the recipe developer, writer, and photographer behind the healthy, flavorful, family friendly recipes at 40 Aprons. She’s been a blogger for 10 years and is known for her delicious recipes and detailed recipe instructions. Cheryl is a mom of two who lives in Memphis, TN.
Patti Gamblin says
Delicious! This was so quick and easy to prepare. I made it on a night we don’t have the grandkids here because they are “not a fan of everything bagels”, but I’m thinking I’m going to try it when they are here and just not tell them what is in it because who would not love this. The cream cheese sauce was wonderful!
Karen says
So easy and absolutely delicious! I paired it with asparagus and a nice rose’
Perfect dinner, thank you!
Monika says
The chicken was okay I’m actually rating the sauce. So delicious. I cut up lox and mix it with the cream cheese sauce to make salad that I can easily take to work for lunch.
Thank you 😊
Kristine says
I made this last week and it was SOOOOOO good!!! Making it again tonight! This will be a weekly meal!!
Md Yousuf Mridha says
Thanks for your website information
J Kersten says
I used whipped cream cheese (all I had in the fridge) – and the sauce came out so smooth and delicious! Thanks!
Savannah | 40 Aprons Team says
Delicious!
Renee Marcusse says
A great addition to our Thursday night family dinner rotation! Very good, thanks!
Savannah | 40 Aprons Team says
Yay, we are so glad you enjoy it!
FoodBinod says
Very delicious recipe, I like your post.
Amelia Camurati says
Thanks for the love!
Sara says
So delicious! Loved that the chicken stayed juicy. The sauce is so tasty. Served the dish with a green salad and creamer potatoes. Will definitely put this in my rotation.
Amelia Camurati says
This is one of our favorites! Thanks Sara!
Elizabeth Keeneth says
Have you tried this in an air fryer?
Savannah | 40 Aprons Team says
We have not, but that sounds like something I should test out!
Melanie Burgarino says
Chicken turned out great! My sauce ended up being curdled though…I softened the cream cheese but maybe not enough?
Cheryl Malik says
That’s very possible. I let mine sit out for at least 30 minutes, sometimes longer. Let me know how it works next time!
Karen Hudson says
This. Was. AMAZING. My entire family loved it. Even my three year old, who kept asking for “more sauce!”
Amelia Camurati says
Love when we can please a picky kid!
Morgan Emmel says
I am SO glad I came across this recipe, because now I am on my fourth bottle of everything bagel seasoning. I didnt have proper mixing materials, so my sauce did not come out the best, but the second time around I bet will be so good. The chicken was SO moist and tasty. Thanks!
Cheryl Malik says
I’m glad you loved it! Let me know how the next batch turns out!
Aja says
This is a keeper for sure! Fast, easy and tasty. I didn’t have an cream cheese so I used sour cream, and it was delicious. I served it with sautéed green beans.
Cheryl Malik says
Ooh, that sound delicious! I’m glad you loved it!
T says
Oh my gawd!!! I was hesitant about this recipe… but, dang! I think this is my new favorite chicken recipe by far… thank you so much!! I’ve been sharing it with everyone I know! Lol
Cheryl Malik says
That’s awesome, thank you!
Lisa says
Delicious! Paired with roasted zucchini and cauliflower rice with the sauce drizzled over. So easy and quick to whip up!
Cheryl Malik says
That sounds perf! Glad you loved it!
Morgan Emmel says
The chicken came out delicious and moist. Probably the best my chicken has ever come out. the only thing I wasn’t sure about was the sauce. Mine would have come out so much better in a blender, but all I had was a fork, so I’ll be trying this again.
kristen says
One of my favorites! Sharing with everyone. So much flavor and goodness.
Susan says
AMAZING! Made this and served with asparagus spears and drizzled the sauce over it! Thank you for sharing!
Cheryl Malik says
That sounds delicious!
Karter says
This is a dumb question but I’d the sauce warmed up or kept at room temperature?
Cheryl Malik says
You can do either or.
Corrine says
What are some ideas of what to serve it with?
Denise says
Campari tomatoes, small baked potatoe& avocado were my choices. Drizzled small amount of sauce over avocados, delish
Redoy says
WOW! This Sauce looks so healthy and delicious. Thanks for the recipe. take care…
Halley says
Made this tonight and loved it! The husband kept saying “so good!” I love how incredibly easy it is! Paired it with a salad in a bag and had the perfect, quick Monday night meal! Thank you!
Cheryl Malik says
It’s so easy! Thank you for the great review!
Angela says
Are the nutrition facts for one serving?
Savannah | 40 Aprons Team says
They are!
Orsdia blogger says
Thanks for the tips and well organised recipe, the meal looks delicious and healthy, I must try this at my home.
Katie says
Brilliant recipe! Making it for the second time tonight. Loved by the whole family! Thank you for sharing.
Amelia Camurati says
You’re welcome, Katie!