Prepare to fall in love with Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken. This savory, comforting dish is a harmony of tender chicken, rich cream, and robust Parmesan flavor that delights every taste bud. It’s like a warm hug on a plate and is destined to become a weeknight favorite in your home.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Decadent Sauce: The rich and velvety garlic Parmesan sauce is what dreams are made of, perfectly coating the chicken.
- Quick to Prepare: In just 40 minutes, you can have a dish that’s elegant enough for guests, yet simple enough for a family meal.
- Flexible Ingredients: This recipe allows for plenty of customization with simple substitutions to suit dietary preferences.
- Family Favorite: This dish is loved by both kids and adults alike, making it a sure winner at the dinner table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken lies in its simple yet flavorful ingredients. Each adds its unique flair — from the tender chicken breasts to the creamy sauce enriched with parmesan cheese. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Chicken breasts: These provide the perfect canvas for the rich flavors of garlic and Parmesan.
- Garlic powder and minced garlic: They infuse the dish with that classic, beloved aroma.
- Italian seasonings: A medley of herbs that complement the chicken beautifully.
- Olive oil and butter: These fats are essential for creating a luscious sauce and crispy chicken.
- Heavy whipping cream: The base of the sauce that adds richness with every bite.
- Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated for the perfect finish.
- Parsley: A fresh, colorful garnish that ties everything together.
Variations
This recipe is as versatile as it is delicious, making it easy to adapt to whatever you have on hand. Feel free to get creative and adjust based on dietary needs or taste preferences:
- Lighten the sauce: Substitute half-and-half for heavy cream to reduce fat content without sacrificing too much richness.
- Add veggies: Incorporate sautéed spinach or mushrooms for added nutrition and flavor.
- Herb swap: Use fresh basil or thyme for a different aromatic profile.
How to Make Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken
Step 1: Season and Sear
Begin by seasoning your chicken breasts with garlic powder, Italian seasonings, salt, and pepper. This step ensures that every bite is flavorful. Then, heat olive oil in a skillet and cook the chicken until golden brown, which usually takes about 5-6 minutes on each side, ensuring a crispy texture on the outside while keeping the inside tender. Set them aside on a plate.
Step 2: Prepare the Sauce
In the same skillet, add unsalted butter and let it melt before adding minced garlic. This creates a fragrant base for the sauce. Sprinkle in the flour and stir for a minute, letting it cook just long enough to remove the raw taste. Next, pour in chicken broth, allowing it to simmer and blend the flavors together.
Step 3: Finish the Cream Sauce
Add the heavy whipping cream, stirring as the sauce thickens to the desired consistency. Remove the skillet from the heat and mix in freshly grated Parmesan until melted completely, creating an indulgent and cheesy sauce. Return chicken to the skillet, letting it absorb the flavors for an additional couple of minutes.
Pro Tips for Making Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken
- Perfect Sear: Ensure the skillet is hot before adding oil and chicken to lock in the juices with a golden crust.
- Sauce Consistency: If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of chicken broth to reach your desired consistency.
- Cheese Melting: Always remove the skillet from heat before adding the Parmesan; residual heat will melt it without clumping.
- Herb Freshness: Use freshly chopped parsley at the end to add a burst of color and freshness.
How to Serve Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh parsley over the creamy sauce adds color and freshness, while a light dusting of extra Parmesan elevates its decadence to a whole new level. It’s not just visually pleasing but also adds an extra burst of flavor.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs beautifully with a side of mashed potatoes or rice, which soak up the luscious sauce. Steamed vegetables or a crisp green salad complement the rich flavors perfectly, making for a balanced meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve your Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken in shallow bowls to keep all that delicious sauce contained and allow for easy scooping. For a restaurant-like presentation, sprinkle fresh herbs or crushed pink peppercorns for a pop of color and subtle spice.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To store leftovers, place the chicken and sauce in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to three days. This method keeps the chicken tender and the sauce delightful.
Freezing
If you wish to freeze the dish, ensure it’s cooled before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to two months, and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating
Gently reheat the Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of cream or broth to maintain the sauce’s creamy texture, and avoid drying out the chicken.
FAQs
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Can I make this dish with chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs work wonderfully and add an extra depth of flavor with their higher fat content. Just ensure to adjust the cooking time as thighs generally cook faster.
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Is there a dairy-free option for the creamy sauce?
Yes, you can substitute the heavy cream with coconut cream for a dairy-free version. It will add a slight coconut flavor but will still provide that luscious creaminess.
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Can I use pre-grated Parmesan cheese?
While you can, freshly grated Parmesan is highly recommended for its superior melting properties and fresh taste, adding a noticeable difference in the sauce’s texture.
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What can I use in place of chicken broth?
If you’re in a pinch, vegetable broth or even water with a touch of extra seasoning can be used as alternatives to chicken broth.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken is comfort food at its finest — comforting, special, and surprisingly easy to make. I encourage you to try it soon and see for yourself why it’s a dish to be shared and loved. Happy cooking!
Print
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken recipe features tender, flavorful chicken breasts cooked in a rich, creamy sauce infused with garlic and parmesan cheese. Perfect for a comforting dinner, it pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes and greens for a complete meal.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 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 freshly grated parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish and Serving
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley
- Additional parmesan cheese for topping
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Season the chicken breasts halves with garlic powder, Italian seasonings, salt, and pepper. Rub the spices evenly over the meat for maximum flavor.
- 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 on both sides. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
- Prepare the sauce base: In the same skillet, add butter. Once melted, add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Sprinkle in flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Add broth: Pour chicken broth into the skillet, stirring to combine. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Make it creamy: Stir in the heavy whipping cream and cook until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 5-7 minutes.
- Finish the sauce: Remove from heat and stir in grated parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Adjust seasonings with salt and pepper.
- Combine chicken and sauce: Return the chicken to the skillet along with any juices. Cook for 2-3 minutes to reheat and absorb flavors.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with chopped parsley and additional parmesan cheese. Serve over mashed potatoes and greens for a complete meal.
Notes
- You can substitute half and half for the heavy cream to lighten the sauce.
- Pounding the chicken to an even thickness ensures uniform cooking.
- Use freshly shredded parmesan cheese for the best flavor and melting quality.
- High-quality butter enhances the richness of the sauce.
- Minced fresh garlic provides a more vibrant flavor than pre-minced garlic.
- Be careful not to overcook the chicken—wait until it reaches 165°F to prevent toughness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
