📖 Recipe Overview
There’s something absolutely magical about the combination of tender chicken, rich cream sauce, and the bold flavors of garlic and Parmesan cheese. This creamy garlic Parmesan chicken recipe has become my family’s go-to weeknight dinner, and I’m willing to bet it’ll become yours too!
What makes this dish so special? It’s everything you want in a comfort food meal: it’s incredibly flavorful, surprisingly easy to make, and requires just one pan. Plus, it’s ready in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for those busy weeknights when you want something delicious but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen.
🥘 Ingredients
닭의 경우:
- 🐔 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 pounds)
- 🧂 1 teaspoon salt
- ⚫ 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 🌿 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 🥄 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 🧈 2 tablespoons butter
For the Creamy Garlic Parmesan Sauce:
- 🧄 다진 마늘 6쪽
- 🥛 진한 크림 1컵
- 🧀 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 🍲 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 🌿 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 🌿 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 🧂 소금과 후추는 취향에 따라 넣어주세요
- 🌱 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
👨🍳 단계별 지침
Prep Work (5 minutes) 🕐
- Prepare the chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. If they’re particularly thick (more than 1 inch), gently pound them to an even thickness for uniform cooking.
- Season generously: Season both sides of the chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Don’t be shy with the seasoning – this is where the flavor begins!
Cooking the Chicken (8-10 minutes) 🔥
- Heat the pan: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. You’ll know it’s ready when the oil shimmers slightly.
- Sear the chicken: Add the chicken breasts to the hot pan. Here’s the key: don’t move them! Let them sear undisturbed for 5-6 minutes until you get that beautiful golden-brown crust.
- Flip and finish: Flip the chicken and cook for another 3-4 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Remove chicken from the pan and set aside on a plate. Don’t worry if it looks a bit underdone – it’ll finish cooking in the sauce.
Making the Sauce (10-12 minutes) 🥄
- Add butter: In the same pan (don’t clean it – those brown bits are pure flavor!), add butter and let it melt.
- Sauté the garlic: Add minced garlic to the butter and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Be careful not to burn it!
- Build the sauce: Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits. Add heavy cream, thyme, and oregano. Stir everything together.
- Add the cheese: Gradually whisk in the Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash more chicken broth.
Bringing It All Together (5 minutes) 🍽️
- Return the chicken: Nestle the seared chicken back into the pan with the sauce. Let it simmer for 3-4 minutes, allowing the chicken to finish cooking and the flavors to meld.
- Final touches: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Remove from heat and sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley.
💡 Pro Tips for Perfect Results
🔥 Don’t overcrowd the pan: If you’re doubling the recipe, cook the chicken in batches to ensure proper searing.
🌡️ Use a meat thermometer: This guarantees perfectly cooked chicken every time. Internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
🧀 Use fresh Parmesan: Pre-grated cheese doesn’t melt as smoothly. Fresh Parmesan makes all the difference in texture and flavor.
🥛 Room temperature cream: Let your heavy cream come to room temperature before adding it to prevent curdling.
🍲 Don’t skip the deglazing step: Those browned bits add incredible depth to your sauce.
🍽️ 제공 제안
This creamy garlic Parmesan chicken is incredibly versatile! Here are some of my favorite ways to serve it:
🍝 Over pasta: Fettuccine, penne, or even simple spaghetti work beautifully 🍚 With rice: Jasmine rice or wild rice pilaf soak up the sauce perfectly 🥔 Alongside potatoes: Mashed potatoes, roasted fingerlings, or creamy polenta 🥗 With vegetables: Steamed broccoli, roasted asparagus, or a fresh green salad
🔄 레시피 변형
🌶️ Spicy Version
Add 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes with the garlic for a gentle heat that complements the cream beautifully.
🍄 Mushroom Lover’s
Sauté 8 oz sliced mushrooms after cooking the chicken and before making the sauce. The earthy flavors pair wonderfully with the garlic and Parmesan.
🌿 Herb Garden
Swap the dried herbs for 2 tablespoons mixed fresh herbs like basil, thyme, and oregano added at the end.
🍋 Lemon Bright
Add the zest of one lemon and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice just before serving for a bright, fresh finish.
📦 Storage and Reheating
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: This dish can be frozen for up to 2 months, though the sauce may need a good whisk when reheated.
재가열: Warm gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of cream if the sauce has thickened too much. Avoid the microwave if possible, as it can make the chicken tough.
❓ 자주 묻는 질문
Q: Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts? A: Absolutely! Bone-in, skin-on thighs work wonderfully. Increase cooking time to 6-8 minutes per side.
Q: What if I don’t have heavy cream? A: You can substitute with half-and-half, but the sauce won’t be quite as rich. Avoid milk as it may curdle.
질문: 유제품 없이 만들 수 있나요? A: Try using coconut cream and nutritional yeast instead of heavy cream and Parmesan cheese.
Q: How do I prevent the sauce from breaking? A: Keep the heat at medium-low when adding the cream and cheese, and whisk constantly.
🏆 Why This Recipe Works
This creamy garlic Parmesan chicken recipe hits all the right notes. The high-heat sear locks in the chicken’s juices, while the deglazing step captures every bit of flavor from the pan. The sauce strikes the perfect balance between rich and bright, with enough acidity from the wine (if using) to cut through the cream.
The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity. With just a handful of ingredients and one pan, you create something that tastes like it came from a fancy restaurant. It’s comfort food at its finest – familiar flavors executed with technique that makes all the difference.
Whether you’re cooking for a special occasion or just treating your family to something delicious on a Tuesday night, this recipe delivers every single time. The leftovers (if there are any!) are just as good the next day, making it perfect for meal prep too.
📊 Nutrition Information (per serving)
- 🔥 Calories: ~485
- 🥩 Protein: 42g
- 🧈 Fat: 28g
- 🍞 Carbohydrates: 6g
- 🧂 Sodium: ~720mg
Nutrition values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients used.
🌟 Final Thoughts
There’s something deeply satisfying about creating a restaurant-quality meal in your own kitchen with simple, accessible ingredients. This creamy garlic Parmesan chicken recipe is proof that you don’t need complicated techniques or exotic ingredients to make something absolutely delicious.
The first time I made this dish, I knew it was going to become a regular in our dinner rotation. The way the kitchen fills with the aroma of garlic and herbs, the satisfaction of that perfect golden sear on the chicken, and especially the moment when you take that first bite of tender chicken coated in that rich, creamy sauce – it’s pure comfort food magic.
I hope this recipe brings as much joy to your kitchen as it has to mine. Don’t forget to share photos of your creation and let me know how it turned out!
🍽️ Prep Time: 5 minutes | ⏱️ Cook Time: 25 minutes | 🕐 Total Time: 30 minutes