Name: Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skillet
Ingredients: Chicken Breasts: 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch thick pieces. Provides the protein base of the dish, ensuring a hearty and satisfying meal.; Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil. Used for sautéing the chicken and vegetables, adding healthy fats and flavor.; Butter: 4 tablespoons unsalted butter. Contributes richness and a luxurious texture to the sauce, enhancing the overall flavor profile.; Garlic: 6 cloves, minced. The star flavor of the dish, providing a pungent and aromatic base that complements the parmesan beautifully. Freshly minced is recommended for the best flavor.; Heavy Cream: 1 cup heavy cream. Creates the creamy and decadent sauce that coats the chicken and vegetables, adding a velvety texture.; Chicken Broth: 1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth. Adds moisture to the sauce and helps to deglaze the skillet, intensifying the flavors.; Parmesan Cheese: 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving. Provides a salty, nutty, and savory flavor that is essential to the dish. Use freshly grated Parmesan for superior melting and taste.; Dried Italian Herbs: 1 teaspoon dried Italian herb blend (oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary, marjoram). Adds a layer of herbaceous complexity and depth of flavor to the sauce.; Red Pepper Flakes: 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional). Provides a subtle hint of heat that balances the richness of the sauce and adds a touch of vibrancy.; Salt: To taste. Enhances the flavors of all ingredients and seasons the dish perfectly.; Black Pepper: Freshly ground black pepper, to taste. Adds a peppery bite and rounds out the flavors.; Fresh Parsley: 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (optional). Adds a fresh, bright, and herbaceous finish to the dish, visually appealing and flavor enhancing.

Ingredients

Chicken Breasts: 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch thick pieces. Provides the protein base of the dish, ensuring a hearty and satisfying meal.
Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil. Used for sautéing the chicken and vegetables, adding healthy fats and flavor.
Butter: 4 tablespoons unsalted butter. Contributes richness and a luxurious texture to the sauce, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
Garlic: 6 cloves, minced. The star flavor of the dish, providing a pungent and aromatic base that complements the parmesan beautifully. Freshly minced is recommended for the best flavor.
Heavy Cream: 1 cup heavy cream. Creates the creamy and decadent sauce that coats the chicken and vegetables, adding a velvety texture.
Chicken Broth: 1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth. Adds moisture to the sauce and helps to deglaze the skillet, intensifying the flavors.
Parmesan Cheese: 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving. Provides a salty, nutty, and savory flavor that is essential to the dish. Use freshly grated Parmesan for superior melting and taste.
Dried Italian Herbs: 1 teaspoon dried Italian herb blend (oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary, marjoram). Adds a layer of herbaceous complexity and depth of flavor to the sauce.
Red Pepper Flakes: 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional). Provides a subtle hint of heat that balances the richness of the sauce and adds a touch of vibrancy.
Salt: To taste. Enhances the flavors of all ingredients and seasons the dish perfectly.
Black Pepper: Freshly ground black pepper, to taste. Adds a peppery bite and rounds out the flavors.
Fresh Parsley: 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (optional). Adds a fresh, bright, and herbaceous finish to the dish, visually appealing and flavor enhancing.

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken: Begin by patting the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. This crucial step helps the chicken to brown properly in the skillet instead of steaming. Season the chicken generously on both sides with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Don’t be shy with the seasoning – it’s the foundation of the flavor.
Sear the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet (preferably cast iron or stainless steel) over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering and hot, carefully add the chicken pieces to the skillet in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding the pan; if necessary, work in batches to ensure proper browning. Sear the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Using high heat initially helps to create a beautiful crust on the chicken, locking in the juices and adding a layer of texture and flavor. Ensure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) using a meat thermometer to guarantee it’s fully cooked and safe to eat. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate, covering loosely to keep warm.
Sauté the Garlic: In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 4 tablespoons of butter. Allow the butter to melt completely and become fragrant. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant but not browned. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can become bitter and ruin the flavor of the sauce. Sautéing the garlic in butter and olive oil infuses the base of the sauce with a rich, aromatic garlic flavor.
Create the Parmesan Sauce: Pour the heavy cream and chicken broth into the skillet with the garlic. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Simmering allows the sauce to thicken slightly and the flavors to meld together beautifully. Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, dried Italian herbs, and red pepper flakes (if using). Continue to stir until the Parmesan cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. The Parmesan cheese will act as a natural thickener for the sauce, creating a luscious and velvety texture. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed. Remember that Parmesan cheese is already salty, so season cautiously and adjust to your preference.
Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet with the creamy Parmesan sauce. Gently toss the chicken to coat it evenly with the sauce. Ensure each piece of chicken is nestled in the sauce and absorbs the flavors. Simmer for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the chicken to reheat in the sauce and the flavors to marry together even further. This final simmer ensures the chicken is heated through and infused with the delicious garlic parmesan sauce.
Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from the heat and garnish with freshly chopped parsley, if desired. The fresh parsley adds a pop of color and freshness to the rich dish. Serve immediately while hot and the sauce is creamy and luscious. This Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skillet is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored properly and reheated.

Nutrition

Serving Size: one normal portion
Calories: 550
Protein: 45g