Description

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

Scale

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!

Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 20 min