This Garlic Parmesan Chicken in Creamy Sauce is a rich, comforting one-pan dinner built around tender chicken, fragrant garlic, Parmesan cheese, and a smooth, creamy sauce. The chicken is seasoned with onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, and seasoned salt, then cooked until beautifully golden. The same skillet is used to create the sauce, allowing the garlic, butter, and browned flavors from the chicken to become part of the finished dish.
The result is a satisfying meal with savory, cheesy flavor and a velvety texture. It is simple enough for a weeknight dinner while still feeling special enough to serve when you want something a little more indulgent.
Recipe Information
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cooking Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1 ½ tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ½ cup bacon bits, optional
Instructions
Prepare and Season the Chicken
Begin by preparing the chicken breasts. If the breasts are thick, slice them thinly so that the pieces cook more evenly and quickly. Having the chicken in thinner portions also allows more of its surface to become golden and flavorful during cooking.
Season the sliced chicken with the onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, and seasoned salt. Make sure the seasoning is distributed evenly over the chicken so that every piece develops a flavorful exterior as it cooks.
Sear the Chicken
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully place the seasoned chicken into the skillet in a single layer. Cook the chicken until it develops a golden exterior and is cooked through.
Work in batches if necessary rather than overcrowding the skillet. Proper spacing helps the chicken sear instead of simply steaming. Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the skillet and set it aside temporarily.
Build the Garlic Parmesan Sauce
Keep the same skillet over medium heat and add the unsalted butter. Allow it to melt, using the heat of the pan to loosen the flavorful browned bits left behind from cooking the chicken.
Add the minced garlic and sauté it until fragrant. The garlic should become aromatic without being allowed to burn, as burnt garlic can give the finished sauce a bitter flavor.
Once the garlic is fragrant, sprinkle the all-purpose flour into the skillet. Stir the flour into the butter and garlic mixture until it is incorporated. Continue stirring so the flour blends smoothly into the fat and begins forming the base that will help thicken the sauce.
Add the Broth and Cream
Gradually pour the chicken broth into the skillet while stirring. Continue mixing as the broth combines with the flour, butter, and garlic. This helps create a smooth sauce and incorporates the flavorful contents of the skillet.
Next, pour in the heavy whipping cream and continue stirring. Allow the mixture to cook gently until the sauce begins to develop a creamy consistency.
Add the Parmesan
Add the shredded Parmesan cheese to the sauce and stir thoroughly. Continue stirring as the cheese melts into the creamy mixture. The Parmesan should become fully incorporated, giving the sauce its characteristic savory flavor and smooth, rich texture.
Once the sauce is creamy and well combined, it is ready for the chicken.
Finish the Chicken
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, placing each piece directly into the creamy garlic Parmesan sauce. Spoon the sauce generously over the chicken so the pieces become thoroughly coated.
Allow the chicken and sauce to heat together briefly. This final step brings the components together and allows the seasoned chicken to become covered in the rich Parmesan sauce.
If using the optional bacon bits, add them at this stage and distribute them over the chicken and sauce.
Serve
Serve the garlic Parmesan chicken while it is hot, with plenty of the creamy sauce spooned over each portion. The combination of golden chicken, fragrant garlic, melted Parmesan, and rich cream creates a comforting and satisfying main course that is best enjoyed immediately while the sauce is smooth and warm.