Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Breast: 30 Min Meal (Print Version)

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Breast: Dinner in 30 mins! Enjoy tender chicken in a rich, garlicky parmesan sauce. Your new quick comfort meal.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 10 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Dietary: High-Protein

# Ingredients:

→ Main Ingredients

01 - Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (4 medium, about 1.5 lbs)
02 - Olive oil (2 tbsp)
03 - Unsalted butter (2 tbsp)
04 - Garlic (6 cloves, minced)
05 - Heavy cream (1 cup)
06 - Chicken broth (1/2 cup)
07 - Parmesan cheese (1/2 cup, freshly grated)

→ Flavor Boosters & Thickener

08 - All-purpose flour (1 tbsp)
09 - Dried Italian seasoning (1 tsp)
10 - Salt (1/2 tsp, or to taste)
11 - Black pepper (1/4 tsp, or to taste)

→ Finishing Touches

12 - Fresh parsley (2 tbsp, chopped)

# Instructions:

01 - Okay, first things first, let's get that chicken ready. Pat your chicken breasts dry with paper towels – this is crucial for getting a nice sear, honestly! Then, slice each breast in half horizontally to create thinner cutlets. This helps them cook super fast and evenly. Season them generously with a pinch of salt, pepper, and about half of your Italian seasoning. I always feel like a pro chef doing this, even if my kitchen counter is a bit messy afterwards.
02 - Now, grab a large skillet, my trusty cast iron is usually out for this, and heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Once it’s shimmering, carefully add your chicken cutlets. Don't overcrowd the pan; you might need to do this in two batches. Let them cook for about 3-4 minutes per side, until they're beautifully golden brown and cooked through. I love that sizzle and the smell of the chicken browning; it’s the first hint of something delicious coming!
03 - Once the chicken is done, take it out of the pan and set it aside on a plate. Don't clean the pan! Those browned bits are flavor gold. Reduce the heat to medium, then add the butter to the skillet. Once it's melted, toss in all that minced garlic. Oh, the aroma! Sauté the garlic for about 1 minute until it's fragrant, but be super careful not to burn it – burnt garlic is a bitter disaster, I've learned that the hard way.
04 - Sprinkle the flour over the garlic butter mixture in the pan. Whisk it constantly for about 1 minute. This creates a roux that will thicken our sauce. Then, slowly pour in the chicken broth, whisking continuously to avoid any lumps. I always keep whisking like my life depends on it at this stage. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, letting it thicken slightly.
05 - Now for the good part! Pour in the heavy cream and the remaining Italian seasoning. Stir everything together until it's well combined and starts to warm through. Next, stir in your freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Keep stirring until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and luscious. Taste it here, hon! Add more salt or pepper if you think it needs it. This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Breast sauce should taste rich and garlicky.
06 - Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into that incredible Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Breast sauce. Spoon some of that glorious sauce over the chicken to coat it completely. Let it simmer gently for just another minute or two, allowing the chicken to warm through and soak up all those amazing flavors. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, and boom, dinner is served! It looks so fancy, but we both know it was a quick weeknight win.

# Notes:

01 - Don't skimp on patting the chicken dry; it really helps with browning and flavor development, honestly.
02 - This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Breast sauce can be made a day ahead and stored in the fridge, then gently reheated on the stovetop.
03 - If you don't have fresh parsley, a sprinkle of dried parsley works, but it just doesn't have that same vibrant pop.
04 - For an extra kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic – I do this sometimes when I want a bit of heat!

# Tools You'll Need:

01 - Large skillet (cast iron preferred)
02 - whisk
03 - cutting board
04 - sharp knife
05 - measuring cups and spoons.

# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):

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

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