Description
Creamy, tender cream cheese chicken brings comfort straight to your dinner table with minimal effort. Rich and satisfying, this simple dish delivers maximum flavor through a smooth sauce that clings perfectly to juicy chicken breasts.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 8 oz block cream cheese
- ½ cup milk or heavy cream
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings and Cooking Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 3 cloves garlic
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt (to taste)
- Pepper (to taste)
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
Instructions
- Slice two chicken breasts horizontally to create four even cutlets. Season generously with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, ensuring each side gets an even coating.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat (375°F). Sear chicken cutlets for 4-5 minutes per side until they develop a golden-brown exterior and reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Remove chicken from skillet and set aside on a warm plate. Reduce heat to medium and add 2 tablespoons butter and 3 minced garlic cloves to the same pan.
- Sauté garlic for 30 seconds until aromatic. Pour ½ cup chicken broth into the skillet, scraping up the caramelized bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Lower heat to low. Add the 8-ounce block of softened cream cheese, breaking it down with a spatula until it melts completely into the broth.
- Whisk ¼ cup grated Parmesan and ½ cup milk into the sauce until it becomes smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Gently return chicken cutlets to the skillet, spooning sauce over each piece. Simmer for 3-4 minutes to reheat the chicken and allow it to absorb the sauce.
- Transfer chicken to serving plates and drizzle remaining sauce over the top. Sprinkle with chopped parsley for a fresh garnish if desired.
Notes
- Searing the chicken at high heat helps develop a delicious golden crust and locks in moisture for tender meat.
- Break the cream cheese into small chunks to help it melt faster and create a smoother, more even sauce.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for milk and use reduced-fat cream cheese without losing flavor.
- Fresh garlic makes a big difference, so skip the jarred version and mince a clove yourself for the best taste.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Sautéed
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 445 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 33 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg