Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken: A Weeknight Favorite (Print Version)

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Breast: Your easy weeknight hero! Enjoy tender chicken in a rich, garlicky Parmesan sauce. Pure comfort, simple to make.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 25 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Italian-American
Dietary: High Protein

# Ingredients:

→ Chicken & Dairy Base

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs total)
02 - 1 cup heavy cream
03 - 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish

→ Flavor Builders

04 - 6 cloves garlic, minced (or more, if you're like me!)
05 - 1 cup chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
06 - 2 tbsp olive oil

→ Pantry Essentials

07 - 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
08 - 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
09 - 1/4 tsp black pepper, or to taste

→ Finishing Touches

10 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, grab those chicken breasts. I usually butterfly them if they’re thick so they cook evenly – makes a huge difference, trust me. Pat them <em>really</em> dry with paper towels; this is crucial for getting that beautiful golden-brown sear. Then, season them generously with salt and pepper. I always worry I’m overdoing it, but then I remember how much flavor the sauce adds later. You want that chicken to taste good on its own!
02 - Heat a good glug of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When it’s shimmering, carefully place your seasoned chicken breasts in the pan. Don't crowd the pan, or they won't brown properly – you might need to do this in batches. Let them cook for about 4-5 minutes per side until they’re golden and cooked through. The kitchen starts smelling amazing at this point, honestly, it's the best. Remove them and set aside; they'll finish cooking in the sauce later.
03 - Lower the heat to medium. Add a little more olive oil if needed, then toss in your minced garlic. This is where you gotta be careful; garlic burns so fast! Sauté it for just about 30 seconds to a minute, until it’s fragrant and you can smell that sweet, pungent aroma filling your kitchen. Don't let it turn brown, or it'll get bitter, and we definitely don't want that in our dish.
04 - Sprinkle the flour over the garlic and stir it in, cooking for another minute to create a roux. This helps thicken our luscious sauce. Then, slowly pour in the chicken broth, whisking constantly to avoid any lumps. Bring it to a gentle simmer, letting it thicken slightly. I always get nervous about lumps here, but a good whisking usually sorts it out. The smell of the broth and garlic together is just so comforting.
05 - Reduce the heat to low, then pour in the heavy cream. Stir it all together until it’s nicely combined and warming through. Now for the star: gradually stir in your freshly grated Parmesan cheese until it’s melted and the sauce is smooth and velvety. Taste it! This is your moment to adjust seasoning, maybe a little more salt or pepper. The sauce for this Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken should be rich and absolutely irresistible.
06 - Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into that incredible creamy garlic Parmesan sauce. Let them simmer gently for another 5-7 minutes, allowing the chicken to absorb all those wonderful flavors and finish cooking through. Spoon some of that glorious sauce over the chicken. Right at the end, I like to sprinkle a generous amount of fresh chopped parsley. It adds a pop of color and a fresh counterpoint to the richness.

# Notes:

01 - Always pat your chicken *super* dry before searing; it makes all the difference for that golden crust.
02 - Leftovers are fantastic for 3-4 days in the fridge, just reheat gently on the stovetop.
03 - No heavy cream? Half-and-half works in a pinch, but the sauce won't be quite as rich.
04 - Serve with crusty bread to sop up every last drop of that amazing sauce – don't let it go to waste!

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large skillet
02 - whisk
03 - cutting board
04 - sharp knife

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 450
Total Fat: 30g
Total Carbohydrate: 8g
Protein: 35g

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