This Creamy Parmesan Chicken is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that’s perfect for a quick weeknight meal. Tender chicken breasts are coated in a flavorful Parmesan crust, then cooked to golden perfection and finished with a creamy sauce. It’s a simple yet satisfying recipe that’s sure to please the whole family.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Flavorful and Crispy: The Parmesan crust adds a delicious salty and nutty flavor, while the butter creates a golden brown and crispy exterior. The creamy sauce complements the chicken beautifully.
- Easy to Make: With just a few simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, this dish is a breeze to prepare.
- Versatile: Serve it with your favorite sides, such as pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables, for a complete and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious Creamy Parmesan Chicken:
For the Chicken:
- Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated, for a flavorful and crispy crust.
- Breadcrumbs: Such as Panko, adds a crunchy texture to the crust.
- Salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika: For seasoning the chicken and the crust.
- Chicken breasts: Boneless and skinless, cut in half horizontally to create cutlets, or use smaller chicken breasts.
For the Sauce:
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness and flavor to the sauce.
- Garlic: Minced, for aromatic depth.
- Fresh parsley: Chopped, for garnish and a touch of freshness.
- Italian seasoning: Adds a blend of classic Italian herbs.
- Red pepper flakes: Adds a touch of heat. Adjust the amount to your liking.
- Chicken broth: Low sodium, adds flavor to the sauce.
- Heavy cream: Creates a rich and creamy sauce.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Creamy Parmesan Chicken
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken and Coating
In a shallow plate or bowl, combine the grated Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Mix well. Dredge the chicken cutlets in the cheese mixture, pressing gently to help the coating adhere. Shake off any excess.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the coated chicken cutlets to the skillet and cook for about 5-6 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. If the chicken browns too quickly and doesn’t cook in the middle, reduce the heat and cook more slowly. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate.
Step 3: Make the Sauce
If there’s excess cheese left in the skillet, wipe it clean with a paper towel. Add the remaining butter to the skillet and melt it over medium heat. Add the minced garlic, chopped parsley, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Cook for about 30 seconds, or until the garlic is fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Stir in the heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 4: Finish and Serve
Return the cooked chicken cutlets to the skillet with the sauce and simmer for another minute to heat through. Turn off the heat and spoon some of the sauce over the chicken. Serve immediately with your favorite sides, such as pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or steamed vegetables.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Use high-quality cheese: The better the quality of your Parmesan cheese, the better the flavor of the crust.
- Don’t overcook the chicken: Overcooked chicken will be dry and tough. Cook just until golden brown and cooked through.
- Adjust the sauce: If the sauce is too thick, add a splash more broth or water. If it’s too thin, simmer it uncovered for a few more minutes to reduce the liquid.
How to Serve Creamy Parmesan Chicken
- Weeknight Meal: This Creamy Parmesan Chicken is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight dinner.
- With Sides: Serve it with your favorite sides, such as pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables.
- Lunch or Brunch: Enjoy it for lunch or brunch with a side of crusty bread and a fresh salad.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days.
Freezing:
This dish doesn’t freeze well due to the creamy sauce, which may separate upon thawing.
FAQs
Can I use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Yes, you can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs, but they may require a slightly longer cooking time.
Can I bake the chicken instead of pan-frying it?
Yes, you can bake the chicken in a preheated oven at 400°F (204°C) for about 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. However, the chicken may not be as crispy as the pan-fried version.
Can I add other ingredients to this dish?
Absolutely! Feel free to add other vegetables, such as mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach, to the skillet along with the chicken.
How can I make this dish spicier?
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a diced chili pepper to the sauce.
There you have it! A delicious and easy-to-make recipe for Creamy Parmesan Chicken that’s perfect for any occasion. Enjoy!
Print
Creamy Parmesan Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
Description
This Creamy Parmesan Chicken is a delicious and easy recipe that’s perfect for a weeknight meal. Tender chicken breasts are coated in a flavorful Parmesan crust and then cooked in a rich and creamy sauce with garlic, herbs, and a hint of spice.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (such as Panko)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/2 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)
For the Sauce:
- 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: In a shallow dish, combine Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Dredge chicken breasts in the mixture, shaking off any excess.
- Cook Chicken: Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add chicken breasts and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes per side. Adjust heat as needed to prevent burning. Transfer cooked chicken to a plate.
- Make Sauce: Wipe out excess cheese from the skillet. Add remaining butter, garlic, parsley, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Cook until fragrant. Deglaze the pan with chicken broth. Stir in heavy cream and simmer until slightly thickened. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Finish and Serve: Return chicken to the skillet and simmer for 1 minute to heat through. Spoon sauce over chicken and serve immediately with pasta or steamed vegetables.
Notes
- Customization: Add other seasonings, such as nutmeg or more red pepper flakes, or include vegetables like spinach or broccoli.
- Thicker Sauce: Add 1 tablespoon of flour to the skillet after melting the butter in step 3 to thicken the sauce.
- Cream Substitute: Use a combination of heavy cream and milk for a lighter sauce.
- Wine: Replace chicken broth with dry white wine for a different flavor.
- Storage: Refrigerate leftovers for 3-5 days. This dish does not freeze well.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories: 550kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 160mg
