Creamy Parmesan Basil Chicken Recipe
This Creamy Parmesan Basil Chicken recipe features tender chicken breasts cooked in a rich and flavorful sauce made from heavy cream, fresh basil, roasted red peppers, and parmesan cheese. Enhanced with garlic, onions, and a hint of white wine, this dish is perfect for a comforting and elegant weeknight dinner.
- Author: Maya
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Low Lactose
Chicken
- 1 pound chicken breast (2 large breasts)
- Salt (to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
- 3 tablespoons butter, divided
Sauce
- 4 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 yellow onion, finely minced
- 3–4 ounces roasted red peppers, thinly sliced
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup packed fresh basil leaves, plus more for garnish
- 1 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup white wine (or chicken stock)
- Salt (to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
- Prepare Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts in half lengthwise and pound them to an even thickness to ensure they cook evenly.
- Sear Chicken: In a large non-stick skillet over medium to medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Sear the chicken for 4-5 minutes on each side until just cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics and Peppers: In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon of butter. Add the minced onion, garlic, roasted red peppers, paprika, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the onions and peppers are softened and fragrant.
- Deglaze: Pour in the white wine (or chicken stock) to deglaze the skillet. Bring it to a gentle simmer and cook until the liquid is reduced by half, intensifying the flavors.
- Create Creamy Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the heavy cream. Stir continuously until the sauce starts to thicken and becomes creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts smoothly into the sauce. Fold in the fresh basil leaves and let them simmer for 1-2 minutes until wilted.
- Finish and Serve: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning the sauce over the top. Allow the chicken to warm through for a minute or two. Garnish with additional fresh basil leaves before serving.
Notes
- For a lighter option, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a mixture of milk and cream.
- If white wine is unavailable, chicken stock is a suitable substitute.
- Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes according to your spice preference.
- Serve with pasta, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the creamy sauce.
- Ensure chicken breasts are pounded evenly to avoid uneven cooking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce (approx. 1/2 of recipe)
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 45g
- Saturated Fat: 27g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 160mg
Keywords: creamy chicken, parmesan chicken, basil chicken, roasted red peppers, garlic chicken, creamy sauce, Italian chicken recipe