This dish features seared chicken breasts smothered in a luscious garlic Parmesan cream sauce. It’s absolutely perfect over pasta, mashed potatoes, or even roasted veggies if you’re keeping it low carb. It’s one of those recipes that gets passed around among friends because once you try it—you have to share it.
đź›’ What You’ll Need
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream or half and half
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Optional: chopped parsley for garnish
👩‍🍳 Pro Tips
- Pound chicken breasts to even thickness for faster, more even cooking.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the creamiest sauce—it melts better than pre-shredded.
- Deglaze with broth to pull up all that golden flavor from the skillet after searing.
- Let the sauce simmer to thicken naturally—no need for flour or thickeners.
- Double the sauce if you’re serving with pasta—everyone will want extra!
🧰 Tools You’ll Need
- Large skillet (preferably nonstick or cast iron)
- Tongs
- Garlic press or knife
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
- Cutting board
🔄 Substitutions & Variations
- No cream? Use half and half or whole milk (sauce will be thinner).
- Low carb/keto? Serve over sautéed spinach or cauliflower mash.
- Make it spicy: Add red pepper flakes or a spoonful of Dijon mustard.
- Add veggies: Toss in spinach, mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes with the sauce.
⏱️ Make Ahead Tips
- You can prep the chicken and chop garlic ahead of time.
- Sauce can be made and stored separately—reheat gently on the stove before serving.
👩‍🍳 Instructions
1. Season Chicken
Pat chicken dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
2. Sear Chicken
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken 5–6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
3. Sauté Garlic & Butter
Reduce heat to medium. Add butter and garlic to the skillet and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Add Broth & Simmer
Pour in chicken broth, scraping up the browned bits from the pan. Simmer 2 minutes.
5. Stir in Cream, Cheese & Seasoning
Add cream, Parmesan, and Italian seasoning. Stir until smooth. Simmer 3–4 minutes until thickened.
6. Return Chicken & Simmer
Return chicken to pan and spoon sauce over top. Simmer 2–3 minutes until warmed through. Garnish and serve.
🧊 Leftovers & Storage
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of broth or cream.
- You can freeze it, but the sauce may separate—reheat slowly and whisk to bring it back.
đź’¬ Final Thoughts
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken is one of those crowd-pleasers that always feels like a win. It’s rich but not too heavy, quick but full of flavor—and perfect for both little eaters and grown-up dinner dates. Let me know how your version turned out and what you served it with!
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