Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken
A comforting and easy creamy garlic Parmesan chicken recipe perfect for weeknight dinners, featuring tender chicken breasts simmered in a rich, garlicky Parmesan sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded to even thickness
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 large garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml)
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (about 75 grams)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (120 ml)
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (basil, oregano, thyme) or fresh herbs
- Small handful fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Pat chicken breasts dry and season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Pound to about 1/2-inch thickness for even cooking.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken breasts and cook undisturbed for about 5 minutes until golden brown. Flip and cook another 4-5 minutes until cooked through (internal temperature 165°F). Remove chicken and keep warm.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the skillet and melt. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer. Slowly whisk in Parmesan cheese until melted and sauce is smooth. Add Italian herbs.
- Simmer sauce gently for 3-5 minutes until slightly thickened and coats the back of a spoon. Adjust thickness with extra broth or cream if needed. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Return chicken to the skillet and spoon sauce over it. Warm together for 2-3 minutes to let flavors meld.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and smooth melting. Avoid burning garlic to prevent bitterness. If sauce thickens too much, add a splash of broth or cream to loosen. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with canned coconut milk and Parmesan with nutritional yeast. Chicken thighs can be used but require longer cooking time.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1/4 of
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 550
- Fat: 30
- Saturated Fat: 15
- Carbohydrates: 3
- Protein: 28
Keywords: creamy garlic Parmesan chicken, easy chicken dinner, comfort food, weeknight meal, creamy chicken recipe