- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 5 garlic cloves, finely minced
- ¾ cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Salt, as needed
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, optional
Before You Begin
Chicken breasts cook more evenly when they have a similar thickness. If yours are especially thick, place them between two sheets of parchment paper and gently pound the thicker sections with a meat mallet or rolling pin.
You can also slice two large chicken breasts horizontally to create four thinner pieces. Thin chicken cutlets cook more quickly and are less likely to become dry before the outside develops a golden crust.
For the smoothest sauce, grate the Parmesan from a block. Pre-shredded cheese sometimes contains anti-caking ingredients that prevent it from melting as evenly.
How to Make Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken
1. Season the chicken
Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Removing excess moisture helps the surface brown properly.
Season both sides with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Sprinkle the flour lightly over the chicken and rub it across the surface to create a thin, even coating.
The flour helps the chicken develop a golden exterior and also gives the finished sauce a little more body.
2. Heat the skillet
Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and one tablespoon of butter.
Allow the butter to melt and begin bubbling, but do not let it burn. The skillet should be hot before you add the chicken.
3. Sear the chicken
Arrange the chicken breasts in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding the skillet because this can cause the chicken to steam instead of brown.
Cook for approximately 4 to 5 minutes on the first side without moving it unnecessarily. Turn each piece and cook the second side for another 4 minutes.
The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of the chicken. It does not need to be completely cooked at this stage because it will finish cooking in the sauce.
Transfer the seared chicken to a clean plate and set it aside.
4. Cook the garlic
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining tablespoon of butter to the same skillet.
Add the minced garlic and cook for approximately 30 seconds, stirring continuously. The garlic should become fragrant without turning dark brown. Burned garlic can give the sauce a bitter flavor.
Keep the browned bits left by the chicken in the skillet. They add valuable flavor to the sauce.
5. Add the chicken broth
Slowly pour in the chicken broth while scraping the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon. This releases the flavorful browned pieces into the liquid.
Let the broth simmer for 2 to 3 minutes so it can reduce slightly.
6. Prepare the cream sauce
Lower the heat to medium-low and pour in the heavy cream. Add the Italian seasoning and black pepper, then stir until combined.
Allow the mixture to reach a gentle simmer. Avoid a rapid boil because excessive heat can cause a cream sauce to separate.
Gradually add the grated Parmesan, stirring after each addition. Continue stirring until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth.
Taste the sauce before adding extra salt. Parmesan cheese and chicken broth can both be salty, so additional seasoning may not be necessary.
7. Return the chicken to the skillet
Place the chicken breasts back in the skillet along with any juices collected on the plate. Spoon some sauce over each piece.
