Description
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken is a rich and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in a luscious garlic cream sauce accented with Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs. Perfect served over mashed potatoes and greens, this recipe combines simple ingredients to deliver a comforting and elegant meal ideal for weeknights or special occasions.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 2 chicken breasts sliced lengthwise
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasonings
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground pepper
For the Sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp flour
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup fresh Parmesan cheese grated
- salt and pepper to taste
Garnish and Serving
- 2 tbsp parsley chopped
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Season the chicken breasts halves with garlic powder, Italian seasonings, salt, and pepper, making sure to coat each side evenly.
- Cook the chicken: Heat a large skillet with olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 5-6 minutes until golden brown. Transfer them to a plate and set aside.
- Prepare the sauce base: In the same skillet, add the butter. Once melted, stir in the minced garlic and sprinkle the flour. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly to form a roux.
- Deglaze and simmer: Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Let it simmer for 5 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Add cream and thicken: Stir in the heavy whipping cream and cook until the sauce begins to thicken, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add cheese and adjust seasonings: Remove from heat, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese into the sauce, and stir until melted and smooth. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
- Add chicken back to skillet: Return the cooked chicken and accumulated juices to the skillet. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to reheat and coat the chicken in the sauce.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped parsley and additional Parmesan cheese on top. Serve the chicken hot over mashed potatoes with greens on the side.
Notes
- You can use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter sauce.
- If you prefer not to slice the chicken, you can pound the breasts to an even thickness for uniform cooking.
- Freshly shredded Parmesan cheese melts better than pre-shredded, which often contains anti-caking agents.
- High-quality butter enhances the richness of the sauce.
- Using freshly minced garlic provides a more vibrant flavor compared to pre-minced garlic.
- Ensure not to overcook the chicken—cook until internal temperature reaches 165°F to prevent toughness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 breast with sauce
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 125 mg
