Description
This Creamy Herb Chicken recipe features tender, juicy chicken breasts cooked in a rich and flavorful creamy Parmesan herb sauce. Perfectly seared and simmered on the stovetop, it’s an easy, comforting main course that pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes, rice, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried Italian seasoning (half reserved for seasoning)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning (remaining half)
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water (optional, for thickening)
Garnish
- Fresh chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Season both sides of the chicken breasts evenly with salt, black pepper, and half of the dried Italian seasoning to infuse flavor before cooking.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 4 to 5 minutes on each side until golden brown and fully cooked through. Then, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside to rest.
- Prepare the Sauce Base: Lower the heat to medium. Add butter to the skillet and stir in the minced garlic, cooking it for about 30 seconds until fragrant to build the sauce’s flavor foundation.
- Add Liquids and Herbs: Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth and bring it to a simmer while scraping the bottom to loosen brown bits. Then add heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, the remaining dried Italian seasoning, thyme, and parsley. Let the mixture simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, allowing it to slightly thicken.
- Thicken the Sauce (Optional): If a thicker sauce is preferred, stir in the cornstarch slurry (1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water) and cook for an additional minute until the sauce reaches desired consistency.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning the creamy sauce over them. Simmer everything together for another 2 to 3 minutes to heat through and blend the flavors perfectly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat, garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired, and serve hot alongside mashed potatoes, rice, or steamed vegetables for a fulfilling meal.
Notes
- Serve over mashed potatoes, rice, or steamed vegetables to complete the meal.
- To reduce the richness, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or evaporated milk.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
