Description
Mozzarella Chicken in Basil Cream Sauce delivers a creamy, comforting dinner that’ll make your taste buds dance with delight. Tender chicken smothered in a rich, herbal sauce brings restaurant-quality magic straight to your dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 slices fresh mozzarella cheese
Seasonings and Spices:
- 0.5 teaspoons salt
- 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoons garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 0.25 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
Supporting Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 0.5 cups chicken broth
- 3 cloves garlic
- 0.5 cups grated Parmesan cheese
- 0.25 cups fresh basil
Instructions
- Combine ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon paprika. Thoroughly coat your 2 chicken breasts with this seasoning blend.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet at medium-high heat (375°F). Carefully place seasoned chicken into the hot pan.
- Cook chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Ensure each side develops a beautiful crispy exterior.
- After cooking, top each chicken piece with 1 slice of fresh mozzarella. Cover skillet for 1-2 minutes until cheese melts completely.
- Remove chicken from skillet and set aside. In the same pan, add 3 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour ½ cup chicken broth into skillet. Use a spatula to scrape and release all browned bits from pan bottom.
- Add 1 cup heavy cream, ½ cup grated Parmesan, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes. Stir thoroughly.
- Simmer sauce for 2-3 minutes at medium heat until it slightly thickens. Your kitchen will smell amazing.
- Stir ¼ cup chopped fresh basil into the cream sauce. Let ingredients meld together for another 2 minutes.
- Return chicken to skillet. Spoon sauce generously over each piece. Let everything warm together for a final 2-3 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use chicken cutlets about 1/2 inch thick to ensure even cooking and prevent drying out the meat.
- Check chicken’s internal temperature with a meat thermometer to guarantee safe and perfectly cooked protein.
- Fresh mozzarella melts better than pre-shredded, creating a creamier and more luxurious cheese topping.
- For a lower-carb version, serve the chicken and sauce over zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice instead of traditional pasta.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 540 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg