Description
This Easy Cream Cheese Chicken recipe features tender, seared chicken breasts smothered in a rich and creamy Parmesan sauce infused with garlic and Italian seasoning. Ready in just 35 minutes, it’s a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Sauce
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare and season chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry, then season both sides evenly with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika (if using), salt, and pepper to build flavor.
- Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until they develop a golden brown crust. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside temporarily.
- Create creamy sauce base: Reduce the heat to low. Add the softened cream cheese to the skillet and stir continuously until it starts melting and becoming smooth.
- Add broth and stir: Gradually whisk in the chicken broth to the melting cream cheese, blending them into a smooth and creamy sauce.
- Incorporate Parmesan and seasonings: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning. Continue cooking for 2-3 minutes to let the sauce slightly thicken and develop flavors.
- Finish cooking chicken in sauce: Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, spoon the sauce generously over them, cover with a lid, and cook on low heat for 10-15 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the dish if desired and serve warm for a creamy, savory meal.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth for a slightly different flavor.
- For extra richness, use butter instead of olive oil to sear the chicken.
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened to avoid lumps in the sauce.
- Cooking times may vary slightly depending on the thickness of the chicken breasts.
- This dish pairs well with steamed vegetables, rice, or mashed potatoes.
