h a Rich Garlic Sauce – Easy Dinner Idea Recipe
Enjoy a delicious and easy-to-make Crispy Parmesan Chicken with a rich, creamy garlic sauce. This recipe features tender chicken breasts perfectly seared to a golden crust, topped with a luscious parmesan-infused cream sauce enhanced with garlic and Italian herbs. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner and pairs wonderfully with pasta, roasted vegetables, or mashed potatoes.
- Author: Natalie
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Pan-frying and simmering
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
- Diet: Low Fat
For the Chicken
- 4 small to medium chicken breasts (or 2 large, halved)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Garlic Parmesan Sauce
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup light cream or heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning or oregano
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 cup spinach, chopped (optional)
- Prepare the Chicken: Season both sides of the chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper to enhance flavor.
- Heat the Oil: Warm the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, ensuring it’s hot enough for searing.
- Cook Chicken: Add the chicken breasts to the pan and cook for about 5-6 minutes per side until they develop a golden, crispy exterior and are cooked through.
- Set Chicken Aside: Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate to rest while you prepare the sauce.
- Sauté Garlic: Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the minced garlic to the skillet, cooking for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
- Add Cream: Pour the light or heavy cream into the skillet, stirring continuously to combine with the garlic.
- Incorporate Seasoning and Cheese: Mix in the Italian seasoning (or oregano) and parmesan cheese, stirring until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Add Spinach (Optional): Stir in the chopped spinach and let the sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes to wilt the greens and blend flavors.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, spooning the creamy garlic sauce generously over each piece.
- Final Simmer: Let the chicken simmer in the sauce for 1 minute to marry the flavors before turning off the heat.
- Serve: Serve the crispy parmesan chicken hot, paired with your choice of pasta, roasted vegetables, or mashed potatoes for a comforting meal.
Notes
- You can use either light cream or heavy cream depending on your preference for richness.
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese provides the best flavor and texture in the sauce.
- For a low-carb version, serve with roasted vegetables instead of pasta or potatoes.
- Ensure not to overcook the chicken to keep it juicy and tender inside.
- Adding spinach is optional but adds a nice color and nutritional boost.
- Use a non-stick skillet for easier cooking and cleanup.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 1.5 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: crispy chicken, parmesan chicken, garlic sauce, easy dinner, creamy chicken recipe, Italian chicken, skillet chicken