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Best Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skillet Recipe

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A quick and easy one-pan creamy garlic parmesan chicken breast skillet recipe that delivers a velvety, rich sauce without turning into a clumpy mess. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish comes together in about 30 minutes with simple ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs total)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon paprika (smoked paprika works great)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream (full-fat)
  • ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese (Parmigiano-Reggiano recommended)
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Slice each breast in half horizontally to create two thinner cutlets. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Let sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil. When shimmering, add butter and swirl until melted. Place chicken pieces in the skillet without overcrowding. Cook for 4-5 minutes on the first side without moving, until golden brown and releases easily. Flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes until cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F). Transfer chicken to a plate and tent loosely with foil. Do not clean the pan.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic to the pan and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Pour in chicken broth and use a wooden spoon to scrape up browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let simmer for about 2 minutes until slightly reduced.
  4. Pour in heavy cream and stir to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer (not a rolling boil). Remove pan from heat and let cool for about 30 seconds. Gradually sprinkle in grated parmesan while stirring constantly until fully melted and sauce is smooth and velvety. If too thick, add a splash of chicken broth or milk; if too thin, let simmer gently for another minute or two. Taste and adjust seasoning. Add red pepper flakes if using.
  5. Return chicken to the skillet, spooning sauce over the top. Let warm through together for about 2 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

For best results, grate your own parmesan cheese from a block—pre-shredded contains anti-caking agents that make the sauce grainy. Remove the pan from heat before adding cheese to prevent clumping. Let seasoned chicken rest for 10 minutes before cooking to allow salt to penetrate. Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking chicken (pull at 160°F, it will rise to 165°F while resting). The sauce will thicken as it cools; add a splash of milk or broth when reheating. Leftovers taste even better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy garlic parmesan chicken, skillet chicken, one-pan chicken, quick chicken dinner, creamy chicken breast, garlic parmesan sauce, easy weeknight dinner, low-carb chicken, gluten-free chicken

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