This Creamy Parmesan Chicken is pure comfort: juicy chicken breasts simmered in a luscious garlic-Parmesan cream cheese sauce. It’s easy, luxurious, and ready to impress — perfect with pasta, mashed potatoes, or even a crusty loaf of bread to soak up every drop!
Ingredients:
(Serves 4)
For the chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs for extra tenderness)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
For the creamy sauce:
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 oz (115 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter)
- 1/2 cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions:
1. Season and sear the chicken:
- Pat chicken dry with paper towels.
- Season all over with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sear chicken for 4–5 minutes per side until golden brown (doesn’t need to be fully cooked yet).
- Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.
2. Make the creamy sauce:
- Lower heat to medium.
- In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in the cream cheese, heavy cream, chicken broth, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes.
- Whisk or stir until smooth and creamy — it’ll look luxurious in just a few minutes!
- Taste and season with extra salt and pepper if needed.
3. Simmer and finish:
- Nestle the chicken back into the skillet, spoon some sauce over the top.
- Cover and simmer on low for 10–12 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through (internal temp 165°F/74°C).
- The sauce will thicken beautifully as it cooks!
To Serve:
Spoon extra sauce over the chicken, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and serve hot! Amazing with buttered noodles, mashed potatoes, steamed veggies, or even roasted asparagus.
Tips & Variations:
✔️ Add a handful of baby spinach or sun-dried tomatoes into the sauce for extra color and flavor!
✔️ Swap heavy cream for evaporated milk for a slightly lighter version.
✔️ No fresh garlic? 1 teaspoon garlic powder works in a pinch.
✔️ Leftovers? Shred the chicken and toss with pasta or stuff into a sandwich!
Would you also like a baked casserole version of this dish — like a Creamy Parmesan Chicken Bake with a crispy topping? 🥘✨ (It’s insanely good for gatherings!)
PrintCreamy Parmesan Chicken with Cream Cheese
This Creamy Parmesan Chicken is pure comfort: juicy chicken breasts simmered in a luscious garlic-Parmesan cream cheese sauce. It’s easy, luxurious, and ready to impress — perfect with pasta, mashed potatoes, or even a crusty loaf of bread to soak up every drop!
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Ingredients
For the chicken:
-
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs for extra tenderness)
-
1 teaspoon garlic powder
-
1 teaspoon onion powder
-
1/2 teaspoon paprika
-
Salt and pepper, to taste
-
2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
For the creamy sauce:
-
4 cloves garlic, minced
-
4 oz (115 g) cream cheese, softened
-
1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter)
-
1/2 cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
-
1/2 cup (120 ml) chicken broth
-
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
-
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
-
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
1. Season and sear the chicken:
-
Pat chicken dry with paper towels.
-
Season all over with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
-
Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
-
Sear chicken for 4–5 minutes per side until golden brown (doesn’t need to be fully cooked yet).
-
Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.
2. Make the creamy sauce:
-
Lower heat to medium.
-
In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
-
Stir in the cream cheese, heavy cream, chicken broth, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes.
-
Whisk or stir until smooth and creamy — it’ll look luxurious in just a few minutes!
-
Taste and season with extra salt and pepper if needed.
3. Simmer and finish:
-
Nestle the chicken back into the skillet, spoon some sauce over the top.
-
Cover and simmer on low for 10–12 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through (internal temp 165°F/74°C).
-
The sauce will thicken beautifully as it cooks!
To Serve:
Spoon extra sauce over the chicken, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and serve hot! Amazing with buttered noodles, mashed potatoes, steamed veggies, or even roasted asparagus.
Notes
✔️ Add a handful of baby spinach or sun-dried tomatoes into the sauce for extra color and flavor!
✔️ Swap heavy cream for evaporated milk for a slightly lighter version.
✔️ No fresh garlic? 1 teaspoon garlic powder works in a pinch.
✔️ Leftovers? Shred the chicken and toss with pasta or stuff into a sandwich!
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