Description
Irresistible garlic chicken breasts bring Italian comfort directly to dinner tables, promising rich flavors and simple elegance. Succulent chicken simmered in a luxurious sauce will spark instant cravings and satisfy hungry families in mere minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 170 grams / 6 ounces each)
Seasonings and Spices:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a slight kick)
Sauce and Additional Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 45 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Generously coat chicken breasts with a blend of garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper, ensuring even coverage on both surfaces.
- Warm olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat, carefully placing seasoned chicken breasts to sear until golden brown and thoroughly cooked, approximately 5-6 minutes per side.
- Transfer perfectly seared chicken to a separate plate, maintaining its warmth and juiciness.
- In the same skillet, melt butter and introduce minced garlic, allowing it to release its aromatic essence for 1-2 minutes.
- Deglaze the pan with chicken broth, scraping accumulated flavor-rich browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
- Reduce heat and incorporate heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and optional red pepper flakes, stirring continuously until the sauce reaches a luxurious, slightly thickened consistency.
- Gently return chicken breasts to the skillet, deliberately coating them with the creamy garlic sauce and allowing them to absorb the rich flavors for an additional 3-4 minutes.
- Finish the dish by sprinkling fresh parsley over the chicken and serve immediately, presenting a tantalizingly creamy and flavorful meal.
Notes
- Select thick, evenly sized chicken breasts to ensure uniform cooking and prevent dryness.
- Pat chicken dry before seasoning to help create a beautiful golden-brown exterior and enhance flavor absorption.
- Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature, avoiding overcooking which can make chicken tough and stringy.
- Adjust spice levels by increasing or decreasing red pepper flakes for personalized heat preference.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or Greek yogurt to reduce calories.
- Transform this dish into a low-carb meal by serving over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles instead of traditional pasta.
- Quickly reheat leftovers in a skillet with a splash of broth to maintain sauce consistency and prevent sauce separation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 720
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 52 g
- Saturated Fat: 25 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 56 g
- Cholesterol: 200 mg