Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken

$To make Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken, you will need: - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts - 2 tablespoons olive oil - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 1 cup heavy cream - 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning - Salt and pepper to taste - Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) Each ingredient adds unique flavor and texture. The chicken breasts are the star, while garlic and Parmesan provide rich taste. You can swap ingredients if needed. Here are some ideas: - Chicken: Use thighs for more flavor. - Olive oil: Use butter for a richer taste. - Heavy cream: Substitute with half-and-half for a lighter sauce. - Fresh parsley: Use dried parsley if fresh is not available. These swaps keep the dish tasty while meeting your pantry needs. Measuring accurately helps ensure the best results. Here are some tips: - Use a kitchen scale for chicken to get even sizes. - Measure liquids with a clear measuring cup for precision. - Grate your Parmesan cheese fresh for better melting. Following these notes will help your dish turn out perfect every time. {{ingredient_image_1}} First, take your chicken breasts and season them. Use salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Make sure to cover both sides well. This adds great flavor. Next, get a large skillet and heat two tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the seasoned chicken to the skillet. Sear the chicken for about 5-7 minutes on each side. You want it to be golden brown and cooked through. Once done, remove the chicken and place it on a plate. In the same skillet, lower the heat to medium. Add four minced garlic cloves to the pan. Sauté the garlic for about one minute until it smells great. Now, pour in one cup of heavy cream. Stir it well with the garlic. Let it simmer gently for about 2-3 minutes. Slowly whisk in one cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Keep stirring until it melts and the sauce gets smooth. This is where the creamy magic happens! Return the chicken to the skillet. Make sure each piece gets coated in the creamy sauce. Cook for an extra 2-3 minutes. This heats the chicken through. Finally, remove the skillet from the heat. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving. This adds a nice touch and some color. Enjoy your creamy garlic Parmesan chicken! To get the best creamy sauce, use heavy cream. It makes the sauce rich. You can also let the sauce simmer gently. This helps it thicken. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese slowly. This ensures it melts well. If your sauce seems too thick, add a splash of chicken broth or milk. Cook the chicken on medium-high heat. This gives a nice sear and keeps it juicy. When adding the garlic, lower the heat to medium. Garlic cooks fast, and you don’t want it to burn. After adding the cream and cheese, keep the heat low. This helps the sauce stay smooth and creamy. Watch out for overcooking the chicken. It can dry out quickly. Always season your chicken before cooking. This adds flavor. Do not rush the sauce; let it simmer. If you skip this step, the sauce may not be as thick. Lastly, avoid using pre-grated cheese. It often has additives that stop it from melting smoothly. Pro Tips Perfectly Sear Your Chicken: Ensure your skillet is hot enough before adding the chicken. This will help achieve a nice golden crust. Use Fresh Garlic: Fresh garlic will give you a more intense flavor compared to pre-minced garlic. Make sure to sauté it just until fragrant to avoid bitterness. Thicken Your Sauce: If you prefer a thicker sauce, let it simmer a bit longer after adding the Parmesan cheese to achieve your desired consistency. Garnish for Flavor: Don’t skip the fresh parsley! It adds a pop of color and a fresh flavor that brightens the dish. {{image_2}} You can boost the taste by adding veggies. Try spinach, broccoli, or bell peppers. These add color and nutrients. To start, sauté the vegetables in the same skillet after cooking the garlic. This way, they soak up all the flavors. Cook them for 3-5 minutes until tender. Then, mix them with the creamy sauce and chicken. This method makes every bite more enjoyable. If you want to switch up the protein, try using shrimp or tofu. Both options work well with the creamy sauce. For shrimp, cook them for about 3-4 minutes per side until they turn pink. For tofu, use firm tofu and sauté it until golden. Follow the same steps for the sauce, and you will have a new dish that still tastes great. To make this dish lighter, you can make simple swaps. Use low-fat milk instead of heavy cream. This change cuts calories but keeps some creaminess. You can also reduce the cheese or use nutritional yeast for a cheese-like flavor. Lastly, season with lemon juice for zest. These changes make the dish healthier without losing taste. Enjoy a guilt-free version of creamy garlic parmesan chicken! Store leftovers in an airtight container. Make sure to let the chicken cool first. Place the chicken with sauce in the container. This method helps keep the flavors intact. You can keep it in the fridge for up to three days. If you want to enjoy it later, consider freezing. To reheat, take the chicken out of the fridge. Place it in a skillet over low heat. Add a splash of cream or broth to keep it moist. Heat for about 5-7 minutes until warm. Stir occasionally to avoid burning. You can also use a microwave for a quick option. Just cover it and heat in 30-second bursts. Check often to avoid overcooking. If you want to freeze the chicken, do so before reheating. Place the cooled chicken and sauce in a freezer-safe bag. Remove as much air as possible before sealing. This will help prevent freezer burn. You can freeze it for up to three months. When ready to eat, thaw in the fridge overnight. Reheat as mentioned above for the best results. You can serve this dish with many sides. Here are some ideas: - Steamed broccoli for crunch and color. - Mashed potatoes to soak up the creamy sauce. - Rice, which pairs well with the rich flavors. - A simple salad for a fresh touch. - Garlic bread to enjoy every bit of sauce. These sides add balance and make the meal complete. Yes, you can make this recipe ahead of time. Cook the chicken and sauce as directed. Let it cool, then store it in an airtight container. Keep it in the fridge for up to three days. When you are ready to eat, just reheat it on the stove. Add a splash of cream to keep it creamy. This makes meal prep easy. To serve more people, just increase the ingredients. For every extra two servings, add one more chicken breast. You should also increase cream and cheese. Keep the seasoning the same for flavor. Make sure your skillet is large enough to hold everything. If needed, cook in batches to keep it easy. This way, everyone gets to enjoy this tasty dish. This blog post covered how to make Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken. We looked at key ingredients, substitutes, and measurements. I shared step-by-step instructions for preparing the chicken and cooking the sauce. You learned tips for making the sauce creamy and avoiding common mistakes. We explored tasty variations and how to store leftovers. In the end, this dish is easy and fun to make. Enjoy your cooking!$

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken

A delicious and creamy chicken dish with garlic and Parmesan cheese.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Total Time 30

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 4

Calories 500 kcal

Ingredients

4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
to taste Salt and pepper
for garnish Fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

Begin by seasoning the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning on both sides.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the seasoned chicken breasts.
Sear the chicken for about 5-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
In the same skillet, lower the heat to medium and add the minced garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
Pour in the heavy cream, stirring well to combine with the garlic. Allow it to simmer gently for about 2-3 minutes.
Gradually whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Keep stirring until the sauce thickens slightly.
Return the chicken to the skillet, coating it well with the creamy sauce. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to heat the chicken through.
Remove from heat and garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

Serve with pasta or rice for a complete meal.

Keyword chicken, creamy, garlic, parmesan