1. Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish: Setting the Stage for Baking

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Grease Baking Dish: Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or non-stick cooking spray. This will prevent the chicken from sticking and make cleanup easier.

2. Season the Chicken: Adding Flavor from the Start

1. Pat Dry: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. This helps the seasonings adhere better.
2. Season: Season both sides of the chicken breasts generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning.

3. Sear the Chicken: Creating a Golden-Brown Crust

1. Heat Oil: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until it shimmers.
2. Sear Chicken: Add the seasoned chicken breasts to the hot skillet and sear for 2-3 minutes per side, until they develop a golden-brown crust. This step adds flavor and helps to lock in the juices.
   • Tip: Don’t overcrowd the skillet. Work in batches if necessary to ensure even browning.
3. Set Aside: Remove the seared chicken breasts from the skillet and set them aside on a plate.

4. Prepare the Cream Cheese Sauce: Rich, Creamy, and Flavorful

1. Whisk Broth and Cream Cheese: In the same skillet (no need to clean it), whisk together the chicken broth and softened cream cheese until smooth. Make sure there are no lumps of cream cheese remaining.
   • Tip: The residual heat from the skillet will help melt the cream cheese.
2. Add Parmesan: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it’s melted and incorporated into the sauce.
3. Season: Add salt and pepper to taste.
4. Simmer: Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it’s slightly thickened.

5. Assemble and Bake: Bringing it All Together

1. Place Chicken in Dish: Arrange the seared chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish in a single layer.
2. Pour Sauce: Pour the creamy sauce evenly over the chicken breasts in the baking dish.
3. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes.
   • Check for Doneness: The chicken is cooked through when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the juices run clear. The sauce should be bubbly around the edges.

6. Garnish and Serve: The Final Touches

1. Garnish: Remove the baking dish from the oven and garnish the Cream Cheese Chicken with freshly chopped parsley, if desired.
2. Serve Hot: Serve the chicken hot, spooning the creamy sauce over each piece.