Description
This Creamy Garlic Chicken recipe features tender chicken breasts cooked in a rich, flavorful garlic cream sauce. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, this dish combines juicy, seared chicken with a luscious sauce made from cream, garlic, and parmesan, served best with pasta or steamed vegetables.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Sauce:
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper to enhance flavor and promote even browning.
- Sear the Chicken: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken breasts and sear for 5-6 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: Lower the heat to medium and add the butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned, infusing the butter with garlic flavor.
- Prepare the Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Then add the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning. Stir well and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer and Thicken: Let the sauce simmer for 3-5 minutes until it thickens slightly and the cheese melts completely, creating a creamy consistency.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning the sauce over them. Let everything cook together for an additional 2-3 minutes to infuse the flavors and warm the chicken.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the chicken and sauce for a burst of color and freshness. Serve immediately with your choice of sides such as pasta, rice, or steamed vegetables.
Notes
- Ensure the chicken is cooked through by checking that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and smooth sauce texture.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or coconut milk, though this will alter the richness.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
