Name: Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 4 chicken cutlets ((approx. 1½ lbs or 2 chicken breast sliced into 2 thin pieces each, just under ½ inch thickness)); 2 tsp Italian seasoning; 1 tsp garlic powder; ½ tsp each: sea salt and pepper (or enough to cover the chicken); 1 Tbsp olive oil; 2 Tbsp unsalted butter; 3 garlic cloves (minced); ¾ cup heavy cream; ¼ cup chicken broth; 1 oz. softened cream cheese* (*store brands don't seem to work as well—use a good quality cream cheese!); ½-⅔ cup freshly grated parmesan (more for serving if desired); ½ tsp pepper; sea salt (to taste); Fresh thyme leaves (optional)

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This simple creamy garlic parmesan chicken is a perfect quick dinner to prep any night of the week. It comes together in under 30 minutes with pantry staples, minimal chopping, but is the most moist and tender chicken with all the flavor and smothered in a rich and creamy sauce. Pairs well with so many side dishes and makes for a great dinner the whole family will actually love!

Garlic parmesan chicken breast in pan with cream sauce.

Why We Love This Garlic Parmesan Chicken
Ingredient Notes
Ways To Vary This Recipe
Step-By-Step Instructions
Recipe Tips
Storage
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Recipe

We make a lot of chicken recipes for dinner in our house, but I will say, I tend to get in a rut with chicken. I will make the same old bbq chicken, or this parmesan crusted chicken and then toss in something different once in a while.

Trying to up the game but still keep it simple lately and this quick and easy creamy garlic parmesan chicken has been a new favorite.

Why We Love This Garlic Parmesan Chicken

Quick and easy dinner recipes are what I live for when it comes to meal prep. Making a chicken dinner like this one night can then later be used up in another recipe or served with other sides so keeping things versatile in the kitchen helps as well and this chicken dinner is just that!

This creamy garlic parmesan chicken:

uses pantry and kitchen staples–on any given day I have every item aside from maybe the fresh thyme on hand so I can easily whip this up any night of the week!
can be served with a variety of different sides or on top of pasta, mashed potatoes and more
makes for a simple cozy and comforting meal without being too heavy
helps you take the same old chicken recipe up a notch with minimal effort!

Serve this up with Parmesan Crusted Potatoes, Tortellini Pesto Salad, Boursin Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Parmesan Green Beans or this Pan Fried Gnocchi!

Ingredient Notes

Chicken cutlets, butter, parmesan, thyme and other ingredients for recipe.

For best results, use chicken cutlets. You can easily make them from chicken breasts by slicing the breast horizontally into thinner pieces and then pounding the chicken to equal thickness. No need to buy anything fancy!
Use full fat dairy for best results in this recipe.

Ways To Vary This Recipe

change up the seasoning: add some crushed red pepper, toss in some more fresh herbs at the end such as oregano or basil, or add a bit of paprika, etc.
add in some veggies: wilt some fresh baby spinach into the sauce, sauté mushrooms, etc.
add a touch of citrus with a squeeze of lemon juice or stir in some lemon zest to finish

Step-By-Step Instructions

Seasoned chicken breast on plate before cooking.

Step 1: Make sure the chicken is even thickness by pounding to about ½ inch thick. Pat dry with paper towel and generously season both sides of each cutlet with salt, pepper, garlic and Italian seasoning. Gently press the seasoning into the chicken.

Step 2: Heat large sauté pan or skillet to medium high heat, heat olive oil and allow it to get really hot. Add the chicken and let it sear uninterrupted for about 4-6 minutes or until internal temp. Gets to just about 160ish, (will continue to reach 165 while resting). Remove from skillet and set aside with foil loosely tenting.

Step 3: Shift heat to medium. Add the butter and melt. Add the garlic and cook, stirring for about 1 minute until golden.

Cream cheese and cream added to pan with spatula.

Step 4: Add in the cream, broth and cream cheese and stir until smooth and the cream cheese has melted.

Step 5: Stir in the parmesan to melt and add in the thyme if desired. Season to taste. Simmer another 2-3 minutes to allow it to reduce slightly.

Pan with garlic parmesan cream sauce and chicken.

Step 6: Add the chicken back in, spoon the cream sauce over top and you are ready to serve! Add more fresh thyme and chopped parsley to garnish.

Recipe Tips

Get chicken cutlets, or cut your chicken in half horizontally through the middle of a flat chicken breast and then make sure chicken is pounded to even thickness for best results. This ensures quick and even cooking.

Use full fat dairy products. For the creamiest sauce with the best texture, use full fat butter, cream cheese, and cream.

Freshly grated parmesan will melt the smoothest into the sauce. If you use pre-grated cheese, they have additives that can cause the sauce to be grainy.

Chicken cutlet with creamy garlic parmesan over top on plate with mashed potatoes and green beans.

Storage

Store leftover chicken in an airtight container covered in the sauce for about 3-4 days in the refrigerator. To reheat, I prefer to cut the chicken in to slices and then heat in the microwave for about one minute or just over if needed. You can also bake the leftovers at 350°F for about 10-15 minutes.

To freeze, allow the chicken to cool completely. Transfer to a freezer safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat as noted above.

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