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Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skillet

creamy garlic parmesan chicken skillet - featured image

A quick and easy skillet meal featuring tender chicken breasts in a rich, creamy garlic parmesan sauce, perfect for cozy dinners and busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs / 680 g), trimmed and patted dry
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth, low sodium preferred
  • 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
  • 3/4 cup (75 g) freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Optional: red pepper flakes for a subtle kick
  • Optional: dairy-free margarine instead of butter

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and pepper. (5 minutes)
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil and warm until shimmering but not smoking. (3 minutes)
  3. Add chicken breasts to the hot skillet. Cook without moving for 5-6 minutes until golden brown. Flip and cook another 5 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). (10-12 minutes)
  4. Transfer chicken to a plate and tent loosely with foil to keep warm. (2 minutes)
  5. Reduce heat to medium and add 3 tablespoons unsalted butter to the skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. (2 minutes)
  6. Pour in 1 cup chicken broth and bring to a low simmer, scraping up browned bits. Stir in 1 cup heavy cream and 3/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese. Stir continuously until cheese melts and sauce thickens slightly, about 3-4 minutes. (5 minutes)
  7. Stir in 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning and adjust salt and pepper to taste. (1 minute)
  8. Return chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Spoon sauce over the top and simmer gently for 3-4 minutes to thicken sauce and infuse flavor. (5 minutes)
  9. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top and serve immediately. (1 minute)

Notes

Pat chicken dry to ensure a good sear. Use freshly grated parmesan for best melting and flavor. If sauce thickens too much, add a splash of broth or cream to loosen. Medium to medium-high heat is best to avoid burning butter or garlic. Check chicken doneness with a meat thermometer (165°F).

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy garlic parmesan chicken, skillet chicken, easy dinner, quick chicken recipe, comfort food, garlic parmesan sauce