Description
A creamy and delicious chicken dish made with a rich cream cheese sauce infused with garlic, onion, Parmesan, and Italian seasoning, perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner. This easy recipe features tender seared chicken breasts simmered in a luscious sauce, garnished with fresh parsley for a burst of color and flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Sauce
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Garnish
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken seasoning. In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, onion powder, paprika (if using), salt, and pepper. Season both sides of the chicken breasts evenly with this spice blend.
- Sear the chicken. Heat olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the seasoned chicken breasts and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and develop a nice crust. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Melt the cream cheese. Reduce the skillet heat to low. Add the softened cream cheese into the skillet, stirring continuously until it begins to melt smoothly into the pan.
- Create the sauce base. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth into the melted cream cheese, stirring until the sauce becomes smooth and well combined.
- Enhance the sauce. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning. Continue cooking the sauce on low heat for 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly and becomes creamy.
- Simmer the chicken. Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning the creamy sauce over each piece. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook on low heat for an additional 10-15 minutes, ensuring the chicken is thoroughly cooked through.
- Garnish and serve. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the finished dish before serving to add color and freshness.
Notes
- You can substitute cream cheese with Neufchâtel cheese for a lower-fat option.
- Ensure chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) for food safety.
- For a thicker sauce, reduce the chicken broth quantity or simmer the sauce longer.
- Serve this dish with steamed vegetables, rice, or pasta to complement the creamy sauce.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
