Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Cheese
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 to 1 ½ cups fresh or shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Sauce and Flavorings
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Optional Ingredients
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Season boneless chicken breasts with salt and black pepper. Heat olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken breasts until golden brown and fully cooked, about 4–5 minutes per side. Remove from pan and set aside to rest.
- Make the Basil Cream Sauce: Lower the heat to medium. In the same pan, add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant but not browned. Pour in the heavy cream, stirring frequently. Add freshly chopped basil leaves and grated Parmesan cheese. Let the sauce simmer gently until it thickens.
- Combine and Melt Mozzarella: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the pan. Spoon the basil cream sauce evenly over each piece. Top with fresh slices or shredded mozzarella cheese. Cover the pan and cook for a few minutes until the mozzarella melts and bubbles.
- Final Touches: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed. For a pop of color and sweetness, sprinkle halved cherry tomatoes over the top or garnish with extra fresh basil leaves before serving.
Notes
- Even cooking: Pound chicken breasts to an even thickness for consistent doneness.
- Use fresh basil: Fresh basil enhances flavor and color better than dried.
- Avoid overcooking: Remove chicken from heat promptly once done to keep it juicy.
- Sauce thickness: Simmer sauce gently to thicken without curdling.
- Mozzarella choice: Fresh mozzarella melts creamier; shredded mozzarella is convenient.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: mozzarella chicken, basil cream sauce, creamy chicken recipe, easy dinner, weeknight meal, gluten free chicken