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:
- 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
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.
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Everything Bagel Chicken with Scallion Cream Cheese Sauce
An easy dinner inspired by New York City "Everything" bagels and classic scallion cream cheese spread. Chicken breasts coated in Everything But the Bagel seasoning and baked then topped with a quick and easy creamy, tangy scallion cream cheese sauce. Low carb, keto, paleo option.
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
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400º F.
- Place chicken breasts top-down in a baking dish. 9x9" 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.
Recipe Notes
If paleo, you can use * ghee or a neutral oil like avocado or refined coconut oil. If dairy-free, use vegan butter or neutral oil. * dairy free cream cheese like Kite Hill * unsweetened plain non-dairy milk of choice Cooking Times for Chicken Breasts by Size * Small chicken breasts: 25 minutes * Medium: 30 minutes * Large: 35 minutes
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!
It’s so easy! Thank you for the great review!
Thanks for the tips and well organised recipe, the meal looks delicious and healthy, I must try this at my home.