Description
Mozzarella chicken basil cream sauce brings together tender chicken and a creamy, herb-infused sauce that’ll make your taste buds dance with delight. Weeknight dinners just got a whole lot more delicious with this simple yet impressive Italian-inspired dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
Seasoning and Aromatics:
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Sprinkle 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper across both sides of your chicken breasts, ensuring even coverage.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet at 375°F. Carefully place seasoned chicken breasts into hot pan.
- Cook chicken for 6-7 minutes on first side until golden brown, developing a crisp exterior.
- Flip chicken and cook additional 6-7 minutes, ensuring internal temperature reaches 165°F at thickest point.
- Transfer chicken to clean plate, tent loosely with aluminum foil to retain warmth.
- Reduce skillet heat to medium and melt 1 tablespoon butter, scraping caramelized chicken bits from pan surface.
- Add 3 minced garlic cloves, sautéing 45-60 seconds until fragrant and lightly golden.
- Pour 1 cup heavy cream and 1 cup chicken broth into skillet, stirring to integrate pan drippings.
- Sprinkle 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning across liquid, allowing mixture to gently simmer for 5-6 minutes.
- Fold 1 cup chopped fresh basil leaves into simmering sauce, releasing herbal aromatics.
- Gradually incorporate 1 cup shredded mozzarella and ½ cup Parmesan cheese, stirring until completely melted.
- Reintroduce chicken to skillet, coating thoroughly with creamy sauce for 2-3 minutes.
- Taste sauce and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
- Transfer chicken to serving plates, generously draping with prepared sauce.
- Scatter fresh basil leaves across dish for vibrant garnish and enhanced flavor profile.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F for safe cooking without overdrying.
- Fresh basil makes a huge difference in flavor compared to dried herbs, so grab some from the garden or produce section.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream and use less cheese to reduce total calories.
- Choose a good quality mozzarella that melts smoothly, like fresh buffalo mozzarella, for the best creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-23 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 470 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg