This creamy garlic parmesan chicken features tender chicken breasts simmered in a rich, flavorful sauce, quick to make and ready in just 25 minutes. Perfect with pasta or your favorite sides.
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken is Weeknight Comfort
What makes this creamy garlic parmesan chicken so special is how easily it comes together in just one skillet. It's quick, simple, and ready in about 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy evenings when you still want something comforting and full of flavor. Made with garlic, parmesan, cream, Dijon mustard, and a hint of lemon juice, this garlic parmesan chicken recipe strikes the perfect balance between cozy and elegant, ideal for both casual weeknights and effortless entertaining.
The garlic, parmesan, and cream melt together into a sauce that's smooth, savory, and perfectly balanced. It has that same comforting appeal I love in dishes like Chicken Marsala or Chicken Paillard, making it a versatile favorite in my kitchen. I often serve it with mashed potatoes, rice, or roasted potatoes, because that rich, creamy sauce makes everything taste a little more special.
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🧾Ingredients
You'll find the exact measurements in the recipe card, but here's a closer look at a few of the ingredients and why I use them.
- Chicken & Seasoning: I use boneless chicken breasts seasoned with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. A light dusting of flour helps create a golden crust, while olive oil and butter give the chicken a rich, flavorful finish.
- The Sauce: I love how fresh garlic, chicken broth, and cream come together to make this velvety, flavorful sauce, it tastes like something from a restaurant but couldn't be easier to make at home.
- Tangy & Creamy Finish: A bit of Dijon mustard and plenty of Parmesan melt right into the sauce, giving it richness and depth. I always finish with a squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of parsley, they brighten everything up beautifully.
👩🏻🍳How to Make Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken
You can find the complete printable recipe with measurements below, but for now, here's a quick overview of how it goes:
1. Season and Coat the Chicken: Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder, then dust lightly with flour.
2. Sear the Chicken: In a skillet, heat extra virgin olive oil and butter, then sear the chicken for about 4-5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Set aside.
3. Make the Sauce: In the same pan, sauté the garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the chicken broth to deglaze, then stir in the cream, Dijon mustard, and parmesan. Simmer until slightly thickened.
4. Add Lemon and Return the Chicken: Stir in the lemon juice, then nestle the chicken back into the sauce. Spoon sauce over the chicken and simmer for a couple more minutes.
📖Variations
- Add Spinach: Stir in a handful of baby spinach right before serving. It wilts into the sauce and adds a nice pop of color and freshness.
- Use Chicken Thighs: Swap the chicken breasts for boneless skinless chicken thighs. They stay extra juicy and give the dish a slightly richer flavor.
- Try Different Cheeses: Replace the parmesan with pecorino romano for a saltier, sharper twist, or add a bit of mozzarella for extra creaminess.
💭My Tips for Recipe Success
Slice the Chicken if Thick: If the chicken breasts are quite thick, I like to slice them in half horizontally so they cook more evenly and stay tender all the way through.
Use Freshly Grated Cheese: I always grate the Parmesan fresh, it melts smoother and gives the sauce a richer, more authentic flavor than pre-shredded cheese ever could.
Store Leftovers Properly: For leftovers, I keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. When reheating, a small splash of broth or cream helps bring the sauce back to life.
🍗More Chicken Recipes!
Here are more of my favorite chicken recipes!
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Recipe
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 3 Chicken Breast
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper - Freshly ground
- 1 teaspoon Sweet Paprika Powder
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 2 tablespoon Flour
- 1 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 tablespoon Butter
For the Garlic Parmesan Sauce:
- 3 Cloves Garlic - Minced
- 100 ml Chicken Broth
- 200 ml Heavy Cream - or Whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard - Optional
- 50 g Parmesan Cheese - Freshly grated
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
- 1 tablespoon Parsley - Chopped
Instructions
- Season the chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, sweet paprika powder, and garlic powder. Lightly coat the seasoned chicken breasts with flour on both sides.
- Heat the extra virgin olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the chicken breasts and sear for 4-5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any brown bits from the pan.
- Add the cream, Dijon mustard, and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Stir in the lemon juice and return the chicken to the skillet. Simmer for another 2-3 minutes, spooning sauce over the chicken. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve hot.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Clara says
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken turned out amazing, so flavorful, quick, and comforting!