Description
Chicken in Basil Cream Sauce brings creamy, herb-infused comfort right to your dinner table. Tender chicken breasts swim in a luxurious sauce that makes your taste buds dance with fresh basil and rich cream.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2 chicken breasts
Dairy and Cream:
- 1 cup heavy cream
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Warm 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat (375°F) until it shimmers and looks glossy.
- Drop 2 minced garlic cloves into the hot oil, stirring rapidly for exactly 30-45 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Sprinkle ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper across both chicken breasts, pressing seasoning gently into the meat.
- Place seasoned chicken into the skillet, cooking for 5-6 minutes per side until a golden-brown crust develops and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Pour 1 cup heavy cream into the pan, stirring gently to incorporate pan drippings and create a smooth sauce.
- Scatter ½ cup freshly chopped basil leaves across the cream, allowing them to release their aromatic oils into the sauce.
- Reduce heat to low, letting the sauce gently simmer and thicken for 3-4 minutes while the chicken absorbs the creamy basil essence.
- Transfer chicken to serving plates, generously drizzling the herbal cream sauce over the top for maximum flavor coverage.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F for safe cooking without drying out.
- Fresh basil makes a significant difference in flavor compared to dried herbs, so grab some from the garden or produce section.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half or whole milk for heavy cream and use skinless chicken breasts.
- Pat chicken dry before seasoning to help create a beautiful golden-brown crust when searing in the pan.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 625 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 55 g
- Saturated Fat: 23 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 28 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 42 g
- Cholesterol: 210 mg