Ah, Garlic Parmesan Chicken! Just the thought of it sends me back to those cozy evenings when the house was filled with the aroma of sautéing garlic and melting cheese. Growing up, this dish was a staple at Sunday family dinners—comfort food at its finest. Now, it’s my go-to recipe whenever I want to impress friends or simply treat myself to something special. Trust me, once you dive into this creamy, garlicky delight, you’ll see why it holds a special place in my heart (and stomach!).
Why you’ll love this recipe
Imagine sinking your fork into perfectly golden chicken—juicy, tender, and smothered in a luscious Garlic Parmesan sauce. What makes this dish outstanding is the soul-warming fusion of flavors. The chicken is not just any old poultry; it’s floured and seasoned, giving it a delightful crunch. Then you have the robust garlic and the creamy Parmesan sauce that cradle the chicken like a warm hug. It’s simple yet elegant, and I promise, your taste buds will throw a party!
Not only does this dish yield a luxurious taste, but it’s surprisingly easy to whip up, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions. Plus, the base ingredients—chicken, garlic, and cheese—are always a crowd-pleaser. Who can resist the rich combination of garlic and cheese? This is one of those recipes that feels like a warm blanket on a chilly evening—comforting, nourishing, and absolutely delightful. Let’s get cooking!
Gather these ingredients
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of cooking, let’s ensure you have your kitchen stocked with the right goodies:
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1 tablespoon olive oil: This liquid gold is perfect for a light sauté, adding flavor without overpowering the dish.
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1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts (2 breasts): Quality chicken is key. You can snag organic if it’s within reach, but standard grocery store chicken will do just fine!
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2 tablespoons flour: This will help create a crisp exterior for the chicken.
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2 teaspoons Italian seasoning: A fragrant mixture of herbs that brings a classic Italian flair to the dish.
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1 teaspoon garlic powder: Extra garlic for that flavor punch!
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Kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper: Essential for seasoning the chicken and the sauce—don’t skimp on these.
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2 tablespoons butter: Because everything is better with butter, isn’t it?
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6 cloves garlic, finely minced: Fresh garlic makes a world of difference. Truly the star of our show!
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1 cup chicken broth: A flavor enhancer that forms the base of our sauce.
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1 cup heavy cream: This is what transforms everything into pure creaminess.
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1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese: The crowning glory! Freshly grated is best, but pre-shredded will do.
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Fresh chopped parsley for garnish: A pop of color and freshness on top!
How this recipe comes together
Now let’s break down the magic of creating your Garlic Parmesan Chicken. Trust me, it’s as simple as pie!
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Mix the Magic: In a shallow dish, blend the flour, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and a couple of generous pinches of salt and pepper. This is your coating mixture.
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Slice It Up: Take each chicken breast and slice them in half lengthwise to make thinner pieces. These will cook faster and soak up more sauce—win-win!
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Dredge with Love: Coat each piece of chicken in your flour mixture. This will create a lovely crust as they cook—don’t skip it!
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Heat Up: In a large pan over medium heat, drizzle in the olive oil. It should shimmer when ready, signaling that it’s go time!
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Sear That Chicken: Cook the chicken for about 4 to 6 minutes on each side until golden brown and fully cooked. You want that gorgeous color!
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Set Aside: Once cooked, remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside, letting it rest.
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Butter Makes It Better: Toss in the butter to the pan, letting it melt before adding the garlic and Italian seasoning. Cook until fragrant, maybe one or two minutes—your kitchen will smell divine!
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Add Flour For Thickness: Stir in the flour and let it cook for about a minute—this will ensure your sauce is thick and luscious.
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Deglaze with Chicken Broth: Whisk in the chicken broth, scraping any tasty bits stuck to the pan. Those are flavor bombs you don’t want to miss.
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Cream It Up: Gradually stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Keep cooking until you have a smooth, irresistible sauce.
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Back in the Sauce: Add the chicken back into the pan, letting it soak in that glorious sauce until heated through (about 2 minutes).
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Garnish & Serve: Plate the chicken and finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for that gourmet touch.
Best way to enjoy it
Now that you’ve created the culinary masterpiece, let’s talk about how to serve it up like a pro! This dish pairs beautifully with simple sides like buttery mashed potatoes or a vibrant green salad. The creamy sauce is divine drizzled over a bed of pasta or served alongside crusty bread for mopping up those delectable juices.
For a heartier meal, consider serving it with roasted seasonal vegetables—think carrots and asparagus, or even some sautéed spinach for a nutritious boost.
Feeling adventurous? Add a side of caprese salad for a fresh, classic Italian touch that will beautifully contrast the warm, creamy flavors of the chicken. Your dinner guests will be in awe of your culinary flair!
Storage and reheating tips
If you find yourself with leftovers (which might be a miracle, because it’s that good!), here’s how to keep them fresh. Store any extra chicken in an airtight container, and it will last in the fridge for about 3 to 4 days.
When you’re ready to dive back in, gently reheat in a skillet over low heat. Add a splash of chicken broth or cream to revive the sauce. Alternatively, you can use the microwave—just be mindful not to overcook, as you want to retain that juicy goodness!
Tips for a successful recipe
- Don’t Rush the Chicken: Letting the chicken rest after cooking will keep it juicy. Patience is a virtue in the kitchen!
- Herb Variations: Feel free to swap out the Italian seasoning for fresh herbs—try rosemary or thyme for a twist!
- Thickness Preference: If you’d like a thicker sauce, simply whisk in an extra tablespoon of flour before adding the broth.
- Low-Fat Option: Substituting half and half for heavy cream is an option, but know that the richness will take a hit.
Flavor swaps
Want to shake things up? Try adding a splash of white wine when you deglaze the pan for a hint of acidity and depth. Or, if you’d like a bit of zest, a squeeze of lemon juice in the sauce brings a delightful brightness.
For a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes to the garlic as it cooks. Got some fresh spinach lying around? Toss it in right before you add the chicken back to the pan—it wilts beautifully and adds great color.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts (2 breasts)
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Kosher salt
- Fresh cracked pepper
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 6 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- Fresh chopped parsley for garnish
Step-by-step instructions
- In a shallow dish, combine flour, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and a couple large pinches of salt and pepper.
- Slice each chicken breast in half lengthwise to create thinner pieces.
- Dredge chicken in the flour mixture.
- Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.
- Cook chicken for 4 to 6 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through.
- Remove chicken and set aside.
- Add butter to the pan and cook garlic and Italian seasoning until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
- Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute.
- Whisk in chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any bits.
- Add heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, cooking until smooth.
- Return chicken to the sauce until heated through, then garnish with parsley.
Your questions answered
- How long does prep take? About 15 minutes should do the trick!
- Can I make this ahead of time? Yes! You can prepare the sauce and chicken separately; just combine and heat before serving.
- Is this recipe freezer-friendly? Absolutely! Just freeze the chicken and sauce separately in airtight containers.
- What can I pair with it? Consider creamy polenta, garlic bread, or a light tomato salad.
- Can I use different proteins? Sure! This sauce works beautifully with shrimp or even a hearty white fish.
I hope you’re excited to whip up this Garlic Parmesan Chicken. There’s something so satisfying about perfecting a dish that warms your heart and impresses your loved ones. Remember, cooking is all about joy—so feel free to put your own twist on it! Don’t forget to come back and let me know how yours turned out. Happy cooking, my friend!
Garlic Parmesan Chicken
Description
Garlic Parmesan Chicken features juicy, tender chicken breasts, perfectly sautéed with robust garlic and enveloped in a creamy Parmesan sauce. It's simple yet elegant, making it ideal for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients for Garlic Parmesan Chicken
Main Ingredients
Preparation Instructions
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Prepare the Coating Mixture
In a shallow dish, combine flour, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and a couple large pinches of salt and pepper. -
Slice Chicken
Slice each chicken breast in half lengthwise to create thinner pieces.These will cook faster and soak up more sauce. -
Dredge Chicken
Coat chicken pieces in the flour mixture.This will create a lovely crust as they cook. -
Heat Olive Oil
In a large pan over medium heat, drizzle in the olive oil.It should shimmer when ready. -
Cook Chicken
Cook chicken for 4 to 6 minutes on each side until golden brown and fully cooked. -
Remove Chicken
Once cooked, remove chicken from pan and set aside.Let it rest briefly. -
Prepare Sauce
In the same pan, melt the butter and add garlic and Italian seasoning. Cook until fragrant (1-2 minutes). -
Add Flour
Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute.This thickens the sauce. -
Deglaze
Whisk in chicken broth, scraping any bits stuck to the pan. -
Add Cream and Cheese
Gradually stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, cooking until you have a smooth sauce. -
Combine Chicken and Sauce
Return the chicken to the sauce until heated through. -
Serve
Plate the chicken and garnish with fresh parsley.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 2
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 600kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 45g70%
- Saturated Fat 20g100%
- Trans Fat 1g
- Cholesterol 150mg50%
- Sodium 800mg34%
- Potassium 600mg18%
- Total Carbohydrate 10g4%
- Dietary Fiber 0g
- Sugars 1g
- Protein 45g90%
- Vitamin A 100 IU
- Vitamin C 2 mg
- Calcium 400 mg
- Iron 1.5 mg
- Vitamin D 0 IU
- Vitamin E 1 IU
- Vitamin K 1 mcg
- Thiamin 0.1 mg
- Riboflavin 0.3 mg
- Niacin 6 mg
- Vitamin B6 0.5 mg
- Folate 5 mcg
- Vitamin B12 1.5 mcg
- Biotin 0 mcg
- Pantothenic Acid 0.5 mg
- Phosphorus 500 mg
- Iodine 0 mcg
- Magnesium 30 mg
- Zinc 4 mg
- Selenium 30 mcg
- Copper 0.5 mg
- Manganese 0.1 mg
- Chromium 0 mcg
- Molybdenum 0 mcg
- Chloride 0 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
For a thicker sauce, whisk in an extra tablespoon of flour before adding the broth.
