Get ready to meet your new favorite weeknight dinner. This Garlic Parmesan Chicken recipe delivers a restaurant-quality meal with minimal effort and maximum flavor. We’re talking tender, juicy chicken breasts pan-seared to golden perfection and smothered in an irresistibly creamy, cheesy, and garlicky sauce. It’s a dish that feels indulgent and comforting, yet comes together in under 30 minutes. Forget boring chicken—this is a recipe your whole family will request again and again.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting your culinary journey, this guide has everything you need. We’ll walk you through each step, share pro-tips for the perfect sear, and even give you ideas for delicious variations. This isn’t just a recipe; it’s your ticket to becoming a weeknight dinner hero.
Why You’ll Love This Garlic Parmesan Chicken Recipe
- Incredibly Flavorful: The combination of savory garlic, sharp Parmesan, and fresh herbs creates a sauce that’s simply divine.
- Quick & Easy: From prep to plate in under 30 minutes, making it the perfect solution for busy evenings.
- One-Pan Wonder: Everything cooks in a single skillet, which means less cleanup and more time enjoying your meal.
- Versatile & Customizable: Easily adapt the recipe with different cuts of chicken or by adding spinach or mushrooms to the sauce.
The Key Ingredients for Perfect Garlic Parmesan Chicken
The magic of this dish lies in its simple, high-quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to create this masterpiece.
For the Chicken
- Chicken Breasts: Two large, boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced in half horizontally to create four thinner cutlets. This ensures they cook quickly and evenly.
- All-Purpose Flour: For dredging the chicken, creating a light, crispy crust that helps thicken the sauce.
- Seasoning: A simple mix of salt, black pepper, and garlic powder to season the chicken before cooking.
- Olive Oil & Butter: A combination of olive oil for its high smoke point and butter for its rich flavor is the key to a perfect pan-sear.
For the Creamy Garlic Parmesan Sauce
- Garlic: The star of the show! Use freshly minced garlic for the best, most aromatic flavor.
- Chicken Broth: Forms the base of the sauce, adding depth and savory notes.
- Heavy Cream: This is what gives the sauce its luxurious, creamy texture.
- Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese melts beautifully and provides that signature nutty, salty flavor. Avoid pre-shredded cheese, which can contain anti-caking agents that make the sauce grainy.
- Fresh Parsley: Adds a pop of color and fresh, herbaceous flavor to finish the dish.
How to Make Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken (Step-by-Step)
Follow these simple steps to create a dish that tastes like it came from a high-end Italian restaurant.
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken cutlets dry with a paper towel. In a shallow dish, combine the flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Dredge each chicken cutlet in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, carefully place the chicken in the skillet. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- Build the Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining tablespoon of butter to the skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn it.
- Deglaze and Simmer: Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a simmer, then stir in the heavy cream. Continue to simmer for 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Finish and Serve: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it has melted and the sauce is smooth. Return the chicken to the skillet, spooning the sauce over each piece. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately. This dish is incredible, just like our creamy garlic butter chicken.
Pro-Tips for Restaurant-Quality Results
- Don’t Crowd the Pan: Cook the chicken in batches if necessary. Overcrowding the skillet will steam the chicken instead of searing it, and you’ll miss out on that beautiful golden crust.
- Use Freshly Grated Parmesan: This is a non-negotiable for a smooth, creamy sauce. The pre-shredded kind simply won’t melt the same way.
- Pound the Chicken: For extra tender chicken, you can pound the cutlets to an even thickness before dredging. This helps them cook more evenly and quickly.
- Let it Rest: Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes before serving. This lets the juices redistribute, ensuring every bite is moist and flavorful.
Variations and Substitutions
While this recipe is fantastic as is, it’s also a great starting point for your own creations.
Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken
For a crispier, less saucy version, you can bake it! Season the chicken as directed, but instead of pan-searing, coat it in a mixture of breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through and golden.
Using Chicken Thighs
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work wonderfully in this recipe. They are naturally more flavorful and forgiving than breasts. The cooking time may need to be adjusted slightly, so use a meat thermometer to ensure they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
What to Serve with Garlic Parmesan Chicken
This versatile dish pairs beautifully with a variety of sides. Serve it over pasta, mashed potatoes, or rice to soak up every last drop of the delicious sauce. For a lighter meal, pair it with steamed asparagus, roasted broccoli, or a simple green salad. For a truly comforting meal, serve it alongside some homemade garlic knots to mop up the sauce.
If you’re feeling adventurous, this chicken is also fantastic in a creamy soup, similar to the concept in this creamy lasagna soup.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Store any leftover Garlic Parmesan Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm it in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of milk or chicken broth to loosen the sauce if needed. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the chicken tough and the sauce separate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! This recipe is a great base for adding vegetables. Fresh spinach or sliced mushrooms are excellent additions. Add them to the skillet after the garlic is fragrant and cook until they have softened before you add the broth and cream.
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are a great alternative. They are very flavorful and stay moist. You may need to adjust the cooking time slightly, so ensure they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
The sauce thickens naturally as the Parmesan cheese melts and the cream simmers. For a thicker sauce, you can let it simmer for an extra minute or two before adding the chicken back to the pan. It will also continue to thicken as it cools.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat. You can add a splash of milk or chicken broth to help loosen the sauce and restore its creamy texture.
This dish is incredibly versatile. It pairs wonderfully with pasta, mashed potatoes, or rice to soak up the creamy sauce. For a lighter option, serve it with roasted broccoli, steamed asparagus, or a fresh green salad.
Your New Go-To Chicken Dinner
This Garlic Parmesan Chicken recipe proves that you don’t need hours in the kitchen to create a truly spectacular meal. It’s a dish that’s elegant enough for a special occasion but easy enough for any night of the week. We know you’ll love it as much as we do! If you try it, let us know in the comments below or share a photo of your creation on Pinterest!
Garlic Parmesan Chicken
Garlic Parmesan Chicken: The Ultimate Creamy & Crispy Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken cutlets dry. In a shallow dish, combine the flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Dredge each chicken cutlet in the flour mixture, shaking off excess.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil and 1 tbsp of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Start the Sauce: Reduce heat to medium. Add the remaining 1 tbsp of butter. Once melted, add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Deglaze and Simmer: Pour in the chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pan. Bring to a simmer, then stir in the heavy cream. Simmer for 2-3 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Finish and Serve: Stir in the grated Parmesan until melted and smooth. Return the chicken to the skillet, spooning the sauce over the top. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
Don't overcrowd the pan when searing the chicken; cook in batches if needed to ensure a beautiful golden crust.
The sauce will thicken more as it cools.
