Description
Mozzarella Chicken in Basil Cream Sauce brings pure comfort straight from an Italian kitchen to your dinner table. Creamy, herbal, and packed with melted cheese, this dish delivers restaurant-quality flavor that makes weeknight cooking feel special and delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 chicken breasts
- 4 slices fresh mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
Seasonings and Spices:
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Supporting Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
- Transform two 6-ounce (170 grams) chicken breasts into thin cutlets by slicing horizontally or gently pounding to ¼-inch thickness. Combine ½ teaspoon each salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika in a small bowl.
- Thoroughly coat each chicken cutlet with the seasoning blend, ensuring complete and even coverage on both surfaces.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat (375°F/190°C) for approximately 2 minutes until butter begins to foam.
- Carefully place seasoned chicken into hot skillet. Cook for precisely 4 minutes on first side until deep golden brown, then flip and cook additional 3-4 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Top each chicken piece with one slice of fresh mozzarella. Cover skillet with lid and allow cheese to melt completely for 1-2 minutes.
- Remove chicken to serving plate. In same skillet, sauté 3 minced garlic cloves for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour ½ cup chicken broth into skillet, scraping accumulated browned bits from bottom. Add 1 cup heavy cream, ½ cup Parmesan, and seasonings.
- Simmer sauce for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened. Stir in ¼ cup chopped fresh basil.
- Spoon melted sauce generously over cheese-topped chicken. Serve immediately while sauce remains warm and creamy.
Notes
- Opt for fresh mozzarella to get the best melting quality and rich flavor in this dish.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F without overcooking and drying out.
- Choose ripe, fragrant basil leaves for the most intense herb flavor in the cream sauce.
- When pan-searing chicken, let it develop a golden-brown crust before flipping to lock in juiciness and create deeper flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 590 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 48 g
- Cholesterol: 165 mg