Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (basil, oregano, thyme mix)
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, freshly minced
- ½ cup chicken broth (gluten-free if needed)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Additional pinch of dried Italian herbs
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare and Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and dried Italian herbs to ensure flavorful bites throughout.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken breasts and cook for about 5-6 minutes per side until they develop a golden crust and are cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside to rest.
- Sauté the Garlic: Reduce the heat slightly and add the minced garlic to the same skillet. Sauté briefly for 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant but not browned, releasing the savory aroma essential to the sauce.
- Create the Cream Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine with the garlic. Let the mixture simmer gently until it begins to thicken, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking or burning.
- Add Parmesan and Herbs: Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese along with a pinch more of the dried Italian herbs. Continue stirring until the cheese melts completely, forming a rich and velvety sauce.
- Return Chicken and Simmer: Place the seared chicken breasts back into the skillet, spooning the creamy sauce over the top. Simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes to marry the flavors and warm through.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top to add a burst of color and freshness. Serve hot with your choice of sides.
Notes
- Use room temperature chicken for even cooking and juiciness.
- Do not rush the searing step; the golden crust adds important flavor.
- Freshly grate Parmesan cheese for a smoother melt and better texture.
- Simmer sauce gently without boiling to avoid curdling.
- Adjust sauce thickness by adding more broth or cream as needed.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing and Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
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