Description
Crispy Parmesan Chicken with a rich, creamy garlic sauce is an easy and delicious dinner idea. This dish features perfectly seasoned and pan-fried chicken breasts coated with a golden crust, then smothered in a flavorful sauce made with garlic, cream, Italian herbs, Parmesan cheese, and optional spinach for a nutritious boost. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s perfect for a hearty weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 small to medium chicken breasts (or 2 large halved)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Garlic Cream 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)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt and pepper on both sides to enhance the flavor before cooking.
- Heat the Oil: Place a skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil, allowing it to heat until shimmering but not smoking.
- Cook the Chicken: Add the seasoned chicken to the hot skillet, cooking undisturbed for 5-6 minutes on one side until golden and crispy, then flip and cook another 5-6 minutes until the other side is also crispy and the chicken is fully cooked.
- Remove Chicken: Take the cooked chicken out of the skillet and set it aside on a plate to rest while you prepare the sauce.
- Make the Garlic Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the minced garlic to the same skillet; sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Add Cream: Pour in the light or heavy cream while stirring continuously to blend the garlic evenly throughout the sauce.
- Incorporate Seasonings and Cheese: Stir in the Italian seasoning and grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Add Spinach: If using, fold in the chopped spinach and let it simmer in the sauce for 2-3 minutes until wilted and well combined.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning the garlic cream sauce over the top to coat each piece fully.
- Simmer: Let the chicken and sauce simmer together for 1 minute to meld the flavors and heat through.
- Serve: Remove the skillet from heat and serve the crispy Parmesan chicken hot, ideally paired with your favorite pasta, roasted vegetables, or mashed potatoes.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken breasts with chicken thighs for juicier meat.
- For a lighter sauce, use light cream instead of heavy cream without sacrificing creaminess.
- Adding spinach is optional but adds a nice color contrast and nutrients.
- Make sure not to burn the garlic when sautéing to avoid bitterness.
- Leftover chicken and sauce can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
