Description
A rich and creamy Parmesan chicken recipe featuring a crispy breadcrumb crust and a luscious garlic cream sauce. This dish is perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner, served alongside pasta or steamed vegetables for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating:
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (such as Panko)
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in half horizontally (or 4 smaller breasts)
Sauce and Cooking:
- ¼ cup (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Prepare the Coating: In a shallow dish, combine Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Coat each chicken breast in this mixture, shaking off any excess for an even crust.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the coated chicken breasts and cook for about 5-6 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Adjust the heat as needed to avoid burning. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
- Make the Sauce: Wipe out excess cheese from the skillet, then add the remaining butter. Sauté the minced garlic, chopped parsley, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes until fragrant. Deglaze the pan by pouring in the chicken broth, then stir in the heavy cream. Let the sauce simmer gently until it thickens slightly. Taste and season with salt and pepper as desired.
- Combine and Serve: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and simmer in the sauce for 1 minute to warm through. Spoon the creamy sauce generously over the chicken. Serve immediately with your choice of pasta or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
- For a crispier crust, use Panko breadcrumbs instead of regular breadcrumbs.
- You can adjust the spice level by varying the amount of red pepper flakes.
- Make sure not to overcrowd the skillet when cooking chicken to ensure even browning.
- Feel free to substitute fresh herbs like basil or thyme according to your preference.
- To keep the sauce smooth, stir frequently and simmer gently without boiling.
