Mozzarella Chicken Recipe In Creamy Basil Sauce

Mozzarella chicken in basil cream sauce recipe delivers comfort food at its finest when dinner needs to feel special without requiring hours of work.

Rich, satisfying, and absolutely delicious, it's perfect for weeknight meals that don't sacrifice flavor or quality.

The combination works beautifully because of how well the flavors complement each other, creating something that feels both familiar and impressive.

Busy families love having a reliable main course that looks elegant enough for company but comes together quickly on any given evening.

Even picky eaters tend to enjoy the mild, creamy profile that makes every bite feel like a treat.

If you want something that hits the spot without complicated techniques or hard-to-find items, here's exactly what the dinner table needs.

Check out the full recipe below and see just how simple restaurant-worthy meals can be when you know the right approach.

Best Reasons to Cook Mozzarella Basil Chicken

• Restaurant-Quality Meal: Transform your kitchen into a gourmet restaurant with this restaurant-style chicken dish that looks impressive but requires minimal cooking skills.
• Quick Weeknight Dinner: Prepare a delicious, creamy meal that comes together faster than ordering takeout, giving your family a satisfying dinner without complicated steps.
• Flavor-Packed Comfort Food: Combine rich cream sauce, fresh basil, sun-dried tomatoes, and melted mozzarella for a comfort dish that delivers complex flavors in every single bite.
• Versatile Serving Option: Serve over pasta, rice, or with a simple salad, making this recipe adaptable to whatever ingredients are already in your kitchen.

What This Mozzarella Chicken in Basil Cream Sauce Includes

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts (1.5-2 lbs): Select fresh, evenly sized chicken breasts that will cook uniformly and absorb the delicious sauce perfectly.

• All-Purpose Flour (½ cup): Creates a light, crispy exterior that helps seal in the chicken’s moisture and provides a golden-brown crust.
• Salt (1 tsp), Black Pepper (½ tsp), Garlic Powder (¼ tsp): Seasoned flour blend that adds depth and flavor to your chicken’s coating.

• Olive Oil (2 tbsp), Unsalted Butter (3 tbsp total): Provides rich flavor and helps achieve a beautiful golden-brown sear on the chicken.

• Fresh Mozzarella Cheese (4-6 oz): Delivers a creamy, melty topping that transforms the chicken into a luxurious dish.
• Heavy Cream (1½ cups): Creates a rich, velvety sauce that coats the chicken beautifully.

• Shallot (1 small), Garlic (3 cloves): Aromatic base that builds incredible depth in the sauce.
• Chicken Broth (2 cups total): Provides a savory liquid foundation for the sauce.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes (½ cup): Adds a tangy, concentrated burst of tomato flavor.
• Fresh Basil (¼ cup plus extra for garnish): Brings a bright, herbal note to the entire dish.

• Salt (½ tsp), Black Pepper (¼ tsp): Balances and enhances the overall flavor profile.
• Red Pepper Flakes (Pinch, optional): Adds a subtle heat kick if desired.

• Fresh Basil: Extra torn or chopped leaves for a bright, aromatic finishing touch.

What Tools Cook Mozzarella Chicken in Basil Cream

• Large Skillet (12-inch): Your go-to pan for searing chicken and creating the creamy sauce in one seamless cooking process.
• Meat Mallet or Rolling Pin: Perfect for pounding chicken breasts to an even thickness, ensuring uniform cooking and tender results.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Essential for precise ingredient quantities, helping balance the flavors of your dish.
• Cutting Board: A sturdy surface for chopping basil, mincing garlic, and slicing sun-dried tomatoes with ease.
• Sharp Chef’s Knife: Crucial for precise and quick ingredient preparation, making your cooking process smooth and efficient.
• Tongs: Helpful for safely handling and flipping chicken during searing, keeping your hands protected.
• Wooden Spoon or Silicone Spatula: Perfect for stirring the sauce and scraping up delicious browned bits from the pan.
• Foil: Handy for tenting cooked chicken, keeping it warm and moist while preparing the sauce.
• Cheese Grater: Optional tool for freshly grating Parmesan to sprinkle over the finished dish.

How Is Mozzarella Chicken in Basil Cream Sauce Made

Best Tips for Mozzarella Chicken in Basil Cream Sauce Recipe

• Pound chicken breasts evenly to ensure they cook quickly and stay tender without drying out.
• Season your flour mixture thoroughly and shake off excess to create a light, crispy exterior that locks in moisture.
• Get your skillet screaming hot before adding chicken to create a perfect golden-brown crust that seals in flavor.
• Scrape up those browned bits when adding broth – they’re packed with deep, rich flavor that makes the sauce amazing.
• Cover the skillet when adding mozzarella to help it melt evenly and create that irresistible stretchy cheese effect.

Mozzarella Chicken Basil Cream Sauce Variations to Make

• Dairy-Free Swap: Replace mozzarella with dairy-free cheese alternative or nutritional yeast sprinkled over chicken, using same melting process to create a creamy topping.
• Vegetarian Version: Substitute chicken with thick-cut portobello mushrooms or firm tofu, keeping the basil cream sauce exactly the same for a protein-packed plant-based meal.
• Lighter Cream Sauce: Use half-and-half or coconut milk instead of heavy cream, reducing sauce quantity by ½ cup to maintain proper consistency and prevent thinning.
• Low-Carb Option: Skip flour dredging and directly season chicken with spices, then sear in avocado oil for a gluten-free, keto-friendly approach that keeps the rich flavor profile intact.

How to Serve Mozzarella Chicken in Basil Cream Sauce

• Perfect Pasta Pairing: Serve this creamy chicken over al dente linguine or fettuccine to soak up every delicious drop of that basil cream sauce.
• Fresh Side Salad: Toss a crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette to balance the richness of the cheesy chicken dish and add some fresh crunch.
• Wine Companion: Grab a chilled glass of Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to complement the creamy sauce and cut through the richness of the meal.
• Bread on the Side: Warm some crusty Italian bread or garlic bread to mop up the incredible sauce – trust me, you won’t want to waste a single drop.

Best Storage Tips for Mozzarella Chicken in Basil Cream Sauce

• Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, keeping the sauce separate to prevent soggy chicken.
• Freeze portions without the cheese in a freezer-safe container for maximum 2 months, ensuring you wrap tightly to prevent freezer burn.
• When reheating, warm gently in a covered skillet with a splash of chicken broth to help restore the sauce’s creamy texture and prevent drying out.
• Separate the mozzarella cheese if freezing, as dairy doesn’t freeze well, and add fresh cheese when reheating for the best melted consistency.

Mozzarella Chicken in Basil Cream Sauce Questions Answered

Mozzarella Chicken In Basil Cream Sauce Recipe

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4.9 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 35-45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Whip up Mozzarella Chicken in Basil Cream Sauce for a restaurant-worthy dinner that comes together faster than takeout. Creamy, cheesy goodness meets tender chicken in this simple weeknight recipe that’ll have your family asking for seconds.

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Ingredients

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Protein:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 4–6 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese

Coating and Seasoning:

• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

Sauce and Finishing Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups chicken broth
• ½ cup chicken broth
• 1 ½ cups heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small shallot
• 3 cloves garlic
• ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes
• ¼ cup fresh basil
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes

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Instructions

1. Tenderize your chicken breasts to an even ½-¾ inch thickness using a meat mallet, ensuring uniform cooking throughout.
2. Mix ½ cup flour with 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper, and ¼ tsp garlic powder. Coat each chicken breast thoroughly, shaking off excess flour.
3. Prepare your aromatics by finely mincing the shallot and garlic. Slice sun-dried tomatoes thinly and chop ¼ cup fresh basil for the sauce.
4. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp butter in a large skillet at medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 3-5 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer to a plate and cover with foil.
5. Lower heat to medium-low. Add 2 tbsp butter to the same skillet. Sauté shallots for 2-3 minutes until soft, then add garlic and cook 1 minute.
6. Deglaze the pan with ½ cup chicken broth, scraping up all browned bits. Simmer 2-3 minutes until liquid nearly disappears.
7. Pour in 1½ cups chicken broth, simmer 3-5 minutes. Stir in 1½ cups heavy cream and cook 5-7 minutes until sauce thickens.
8. Incorporate sun-dried tomatoes, ¼ cup basil, ½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Adjust seasonings to taste.
9. Return chicken to the skillet, nestling pieces into the sauce. Top each breast with 4-6 oz mozzarella cheese.
10. Cover and cook on low heat 3-5 minutes until cheese melts completely and becomes bubbly.
11. Remove from heat. Garnish with extra basil leaves and optional Parmesan. Serve immediately alongside pasta or salad.

Notes

• Pounding chicken to an even thickness helps it cook uniformly and prevents dry or undercooked sections.
• Dredging chicken in seasoned flour creates a delicate golden crust that adds texture and locks in moisture.
• Use fresh basil for maximum flavor, and don’t rush the sauce reduction to develop deep, rich taste layers.
• For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream and use less cheese, which maintains the dish’s creamy essence while reducing calories.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25-35 minutes
• Category: Chicken
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 520 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 620 mg
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 16 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 9 g
• Fiber: 1.5 g
• Protein: 45 g
• Cholesterol: 160 mg