Name: Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken
Ingredients: Chicken Breasts: 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts – The star of the show, providing a lean protein base. Opt for breasts of similar size for even cooking.; Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons – For searing the chicken and adding a touch of healthy fat. Extra virgin olive oil is preferred for its flavor.; Butter: 4 tablespoons unsalted butter – Adds richness and flavor to the sauce, creating that signature creamy texture.; Garlic: 6 cloves, minced – The heart of the flavor profile, providing a pungent and aromatic base. Freshly minced garlic is highly recommended for the best taste.; Heavy Cream: 1 cup – The key to the creamy sauce, adding luxuriousness and body. Full-fat heavy cream is essential for the desired texture.; Chicken Broth: 1/2 cup – Adds moisture and depth of flavor to the sauce, complementing the cream and parmesan. Low-sodium broth is recommended to control salt levels.; Parmesan Cheese: 1 cup, grated – The cheesy backbone of the dish, providing salty, nutty, and umami notes. Freshly grated parmesan is always superior in flavor and texture.; Italian Seasoning: 1 teaspoon – A blend of dried herbs that adds complexity and herbaceousness. You can also use a mix of dried oregano, basil, and thyme.; Paprika: 1/2 teaspoon – Adds a subtle smoky sweetness and a touch of color to the chicken and sauce.; Salt: To taste – Enhances all the flavors and balances the dish. Kosher salt or sea salt is recommended.; Black Pepper: To taste – Adds a touch of spice and depth of flavor. Freshly ground black pepper is always best.; Fresh Parsley: 2 tablespoons, chopped (for garnish) – Adds freshness and a pop of color at the end.

Ingredients

This recipe relies on a handful of readily available ingredients, each playing a crucial role in creating the symphony of flavors that make this dish so special. Quality ingredients will elevate the final result, so choose the best you can.

Chicken Breasts: 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts – The star of the show, providing a lean protein base. Opt for breasts of similar size for even cooking.
Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons – For searing the chicken and adding a touch of healthy fat. Extra virgin olive oil is preferred for its flavor.
Butter: 4 tablespoons unsalted butter – Adds richness and flavor to the sauce, creating that signature creamy texture.
Garlic: 6 cloves, minced – The heart of the flavor profile, providing a pungent and aromatic base. Freshly minced garlic is highly recommended for the best taste.
Heavy Cream: 1 cup – The key to the creamy sauce, adding luxuriousness and body. Full-fat heavy cream is essential for the desired texture.
Chicken Broth: 1/2 cup – Adds moisture and depth of flavor to the sauce, complementing the cream and parmesan. Low-sodium broth is recommended to control salt levels.
Parmesan Cheese: 1 cup, grated – The cheesy backbone of the dish, providing salty, nutty, and umami notes. Freshly grated parmesan is always superior in flavor and texture.
Italian Seasoning: 1 teaspoon – A blend of dried herbs that adds complexity and herbaceousness. You can also use a mix of dried oregano, basil, and thyme.
Paprika: 1/2 teaspoon – Adds a subtle smoky sweetness and a touch of color to the chicken and sauce.
Salt: To taste – Enhances all the flavors and balances the dish. Kosher salt or sea salt is recommended.
Black Pepper: To taste – Adds a touch of spice and depth of flavor. Freshly ground black pepper is always best.
Fresh Parsley: 2 tablespoons, chopped (for garnish) – Adds freshness and a pop of color at the end.

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Instructions

This recipe is surprisingly simple to make, requiring just a few straightforward steps. Follow these instructions carefully for the best results.

Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. This helps them sear properly and develop a nice crust. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and paprika. Ensure the seasoning is evenly distributed for consistent flavor.
Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering hot (but not smoking), carefully place the chicken breasts in the skillet, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Overcrowding can lower the pan temperature and steam the chicken instead of searing it. Work in batches if necessary. Sear the chicken for 4-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Searing creates a flavorful crust and seals in the juices, keeping the chicken moist and tender. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for food safety. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate, tented with foil to keep warm.
Sauté the Garlic: Reduce the heat to medium. In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can become bitter. Sautéing the garlic in butter releases its aromatic oils and creates a flavorful base for the sauce.
Create the Creamy Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream into the skillet with the garlic. Stir well to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan – these browned bits (fond) add a lot of flavor to the sauce. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Simmering allows the sauce to thicken slightly and the flavors to meld together.
Add Parmesan and Seasoning: Stir in the grated parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning. Continue to stir until the parmesan cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Remember that parmesan cheese is salty, so you may not need much additional salt.
Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the creamy parmesan sauce. Spoon the sauce over the chicken to coat them evenly. Let the chicken simmer in the sauce for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to marry and the chicken to reheat gently. Avoid overcooking the chicken at this stage, as it can become dry.
Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley over the creamy garlic parmesan chicken. Serve immediately while hot and the sauce is luscious and creamy.

Nutrition

Serving Size: one normal portion
Calories: 650
Protein: 60g