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8. Add the finishing touches
Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the optional lemon juice for a subtle touch of freshness.
Sprinkle chopped parsley over the chicken and spoon additional sauce on top before serving.
Allow the dish to rest for a few minutes. The sauce will continue to thicken slightly as it cools.
What to Serve With Garlic Parmesan Chicken
This chicken is versatile and can be served with many different side dishes.
Pasta
Serve the chicken over fettuccine, spaghetti, penne, or another pasta you enjoy. Add a small amount of pasta water if you need to loosen the sauce before combining it with the noodles.
Mashed potatoes
Creamy mashed potatoes are perfect for absorbing the garlic Parmesan sauce. Roasted baby potatoes are another excellent choice if you prefer a crisp texture.
Rice
White rice, brown rice, or seasoned rice can turn the chicken into a filling and practical dinner. Spoon the sauce generously over the rice before serving.
Vegetables
Try steamed broccoli, roasted asparagus, green beans, peas, zucchini, or Brussels sprouts. The freshness of the vegetables balances the richness of the cream sauce.
Bread
Crusty bread, homemade dinner rolls, or garlic bread can be used to collect every bit of sauce from the plate.
Salad
A simple salad with lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, and a light vinaigrette provides a refreshing contrast to the warm chicken.
5. Add the chicken broth
Slowly pour in the chicken broth while scraping the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon. This releases the flavorful browned pieces into the liquid.
Let the broth simmer for 2 to 3 minutes so it can reduce slightly.
6. Prepare the cream sauce
Lower the heat to medium-low and pour in the heavy cream. Add the Italian seasoning and black pepper, then stir until combined.
Allow the mixture to reach a gentle simmer. Avoid a rapid boil because excessive heat can cause a cream sauce to separate.
Gradually add the grated Parmesan, stirring after each addition. Continue stirring until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth.
Taste the sauce before adding extra salt. Parmesan cheese and chicken broth can both be salty, so additional seasoning may not be necessary.
7. Return the chicken to the skillet
Place the chicken breasts back in the skillet along with any juices collected on the plate. Spoon some sauce over each piece.
Cover the skillet loosely and let the chicken simmer over low heat for approximately 5 to 8 minutes. The chicken is ready when its thickest section reaches an internal temperature of 165°F or 74°C.
Do not rely only on the color of the chicken. A food thermometer is the most reliable way to confirm that it is safely cooked without overcooking it.
Arrange the chicken breasts in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding the skillet because this can cause the chicken to steam instead of brown.
Cook for approximately 4 to 5 minutes on the first side without moving it unnecessarily. Turn each piece and cook the second side for another 4 minutes.
The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of the chicken. It does not need to be completely cooked at this stage because it will finish cooking in the sauce.
Transfer the seared chicken to a clean plate and set it aside.
4. Cook the garlic
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining tablespoon of butter to the same skillet.
Add the minced garlic and cook for approximately 30 seconds, stirring continuously. The garlic should become fragrant without turning dark brown. Burned garlic can give the sauce a bitter flavor.
Keep the browned bits left by the chicken in the skillet. They add valuable flavor to the sauce.
How to Make Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken
1. Season the chicken
Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Removing excess moisture helps the surface brown properly.
Season both sides with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Sprinkle the flour lightly over the chicken and rub it across the surface to create a thin, even coating.
The flour helps the chicken develop a golden exterior and also gives the finished sauce a little more body.
2. Heat the skillet
Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and one tablespoon of butter.
Allow the butter to melt and begin bubbling, but do not let it burn. The skillet should be hot before you add the chicken.
3. Sear the chicken
For the creamy garlic Parmesan sauce
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 5 garlic cloves, finely minced
- ¾ cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Salt, as needed
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, optional
Before You Begin
Chicken breasts cook more evenly when they have a similar thickness. If yours are especially thick, place them between two sheets of parchment paper and gently pound the thicker sections with a meat mallet or rolling pin.
You can also slice two large chicken breasts horizontally to create four thinner pieces. Thin chicken cutlets cook more quickly and are less likely to become dry before the outside develops a golden crust.
For the smoothest sauce, grate the Parmesan from a block. Pre-shredded cheese sometimes contains anti-caking ingredients that prevent it from melting as evenly.
The combination of browned chicken, fresh garlic, cream, and Parmesan creates a balanced sauce that feels comforting without requiring a complicated cooking process.
Recipe Information
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 25 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4
Cooking method: Stovetop
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
For the chicken
- 4 small boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken is a comforting dinner made with golden chicken breasts and a rich, flavorful pan sauce. The chicken is seasoned simply, seared until beautifully browned, and finished in a creamy sauce made with fresh garlic, Parmesan cheese, and Italian herbs.
Although the finished dish looks impressive, it uses familiar ingredients and requires only one skillet. It is an excellent choice for a relaxed family dinner, a weekend meal, or an evening when you want something satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen.
Serve this creamy chicken with pasta, mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread to make the most of the delicious sauce. For a lighter meal, pair it with steamed vegetables or a fresh green salad.
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Chicken Recipe
There are plenty of reasons to keep this recipe in your regular dinner rotation:
- It is prepared in one skillet, so cleanup is simple.
- The ingredients are easy to find in most supermarkets.
- It can be ready in approximately 40 minutes.
- The sauce is creamy, savory, and filled with garlic flavor.
- It works well with pasta, rice, potatoes, or vegetables.
- The recipe can be adjusted with spinach, mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes.
- Leftovers can be stored and reheated for another meal.