Okay, so you know how some weeknight dinners feel like a marathon? This Parmesan Crusted Chicken with Creamy Garlic Sauce is the exact opposite. It’s my go-to when I want something that tastes totally gourmet but is actually ridiculously easy to pull off. Seriously, the crispy, cheesy chicken with that velvety garlic sauce? It’s pure comfort food magic, and it comes together so fast, you’ll be asking yourself why you don’t make it every single week. Trust me, this recipe is a lifesaver and a flavor-saver all rolled into one!
Why You’ll Love This Parmesan Crusted Chicken with Creamy Garlic Sauce
- Speedy Dinner Hero: It’s on the table in about 40 minutes total! Perfect for those busy weeknights when you need something delicious, fast.
- Flavor Explosion: You get that amazing crispy, salty Parmesan crust on the chicken, all smothered in a super rich and garlicky cream sauce. It’s seriously addictive!
- So Easy, Anyone Can Make It: No fancy techniques here. The steps are straightforward, making it totally foolproof, even if you’re new to cooking.
- Crowd-Pleaser Guaranteed: From picky eaters to dinner guests, everyone raves about this dish. It’s just that good!
Gather Your Ingredients for Parmesan Crusted Chicken with Creamy Garlic Sauce
Alright, let’s get our kitchen prepped! For this amazing Parmesan Crusted Chicken with Creamy Garlic Sauce, you’ll need just a few simple things. Grab two nice boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Then, you’ll want about a half cup of grated Parmesan cheese – the real stuff, please! We’ll also need a quarter cup of all-purpose flour, one large egg, beaten, and a couple of tablespoons of olive oil for searing. For that dreamy sauce, we need two cloves of garlic, minced, half a cup of heavy cream, and a quarter cup of chicken broth. Oh, and don’t forget your salt and pepper to taste!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Parmesan Crusted Chicken
If you can’t find boneless, skinless chicken breasts, you could totally use thighs, just adjust the baking time a bit. For the Parmesan cheese, freshly grated is always best for that super crispy crust, but the pre-grated stuff will work in a pinch. If you’re out of all-purpose flour, a gluten-free baking blend works too! And for the sauce, if heavy cream feels a bit too rich, you could try half-and-half, but it might not be quite as thick or creamy. Just play around with it!
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Parmesan Crusted Chicken with Creamy Garlic Sauce
Alright, let’s get this deliciousness on the table! Making this Parmesan Crusted Chicken with Creamy Garlic Sauce is really a breeze once you break it down. First things first, get your oven preheated to 400°F (that’s 200°C). While it’s warming up, let’s prep our chicken. We’re going to season those chicken breasts nicely with salt and pepper. Think of it as giving them a little flavor boost right from the start!
Preparing the Chicken for the Perfect Parmesan Crust
Now for the fun part – getting that amazing crust! You’ll want to set up a little breading station. Grab three shallow dishes. In the first, put your flour, seasoned with a pinch of salt and pepper. In the second, whisk up that egg. And in the third, pile your grated Parmesan cheese. Take each chicken breast, dredge it in the flour first, making sure it’s all coated, then dip it into the beaten egg, letting any excess drip off. Finally, press it into the Parmesan cheese, coating both sides really well. This triple coating is what gives us that super crispy, golden crust we love!
Searing and Baking Your Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Grab an oven-safe skillet – this is important! Heat up those two tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Once it’s shimmering, carefully lay your Parmesan-crusted chicken breasts into the hot skillet. We want to sear them for about 2 to 3 minutes per side, just until they’re beautifully golden brown. This searing step adds so much flavor! Then, pop the whole skillet right into your preheated oven. Let them bake for about 15 to 20 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when they’re cooked all the way through – no pink inside!
Crafting the Rich Creamy Garlic Sauce
While the chicken is doing its thing in the oven, we’ll whip up that dreamy sauce. If you seared your chicken in an oven-safe skillet, carefully remove the chicken breasts to a plate for a moment. Now, right in that same skillet (don’t wipe it out, that’s flavor!), add your minced garlic and sauté it for just about a minute until it smells amazing. Be careful not to burn it! Then, pour in the chicken broth and the heavy cream. Bring that mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally, and let it cook for a few minutes until it starts to thicken up just a bit. Give it a taste and season with salt and pepper. Easy peasy!
Tips for Success with Parmesan Crusted Chicken
To get that really amazing, crispy Parmesan crust on your chicken, make sure your skillet is nice and hot before you sear it. That initial sizzle is key! Don’t overcrowd the pan when searing, or the chicken will steam instead of crisping up. For the creamy garlic sauce, if it seems a little too thin, just let it simmer a minute or two longer. If it gets too thick, a splash more chicken broth or cream will loosen it right up. And always taste and adjust your seasonings – salt and pepper make a huge difference!
Serving Suggestions for Parmesan Crusted Chicken with Creamy Garlic Sauce
This Parmesan Crusted Chicken with Creamy Garlic Sauce is so good on its own, but it plays really nicely with a few simple sides! I love serving it with some steamed broccoli or asparagus – the green veggies are a nice contrast. A simple side salad with a light vinaigrette is also fantastic. And of course, you can’t go wrong with some fluffy mashed potatoes or a side of pasta to soak up all that extra creamy garlic sauce. Yum!
Storing and Reheating Leftover Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Got leftovers? Lucky you! Store any leftover Parmesan Crusted Chicken with Creamy Garlic Sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, I find the best way is to pop it back in a moderate oven (around 350°F or 175°C) for about 10-15 minutes until warmed through. This helps keep the crust a little crispy. You can also gently reheat the sauce separately on the stovetop.
Frequently Asked Questions about Parmesan Crusted Chicken with Creamy Garlic Sauce
Got some burning questions about this amazing Parmesan Crusted Chicken? I’ve got you covered! Let’s dive into some common queries.
Can I make Parmesan Crusted Chicken ahead of time? You can definitely prepare the chicken coating and have the sauce ingredients ready to go, but for the best crispy crust, I really recommend breading and searing the chicken just before you plan to bake it. The sauce can be made a little ahead and gently reheated, though!
What is the best way to reheat Parmesan Crusted Chicken? To keep that lovely crust from getting soggy, the oven is your best friend! Pop any leftovers in a preheated oven at around 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes. This helps it heat through without turning mushy. Avoid the microwave if you want to keep that crunch!
Is this Parmesan Crusted Chicken recipe gluten-free? The original recipe uses all-purpose flour, so it’s not gluten-free. However, you can easily make it gluten-free by swapping the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free all-purpose baking blend. Just make sure your Parmesan cheese is also gluten-free!
Can I use different types of cheese for the crust? While Parmesan is classic and gives that fantastic salty kick, you could experiment with a mix of Parmesan and Romano, or even add a touch of Italian seasoning to the cheese blend for extra flavor!
Estimated Nutritional Information for Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Just a heads-up, these numbers are estimates, but this Parmesan Crusted Chicken with Creamy Garlic Sauce generally comes in around 550 calories per serving. You’re looking at about 35g of fat, 40g of protein, and 20g of carbohydrates. It’s a pretty satisfying meal!
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Parmesan Chicken: 40 Min Hero Meal
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Parmesan Crusted Chicken is a flavorful dish featuring tender chicken breasts coated in a crispy Parmesan crust and served with a rich, creamy garlic sauce.
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 egg, beaten
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
- Dredge chicken in flour, then dip in egg, and coat with Parmesan cheese.
- Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sear chicken for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Transfer skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.
- While chicken bakes, sauté garlic in the same skillet (remove chicken first) for 1 minute.
- Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, bring to a simmer, and cook until sauce thickens slightly.
- Season sauce with salt and pepper.
- Serve chicken with the creamy garlic sauce.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, you can toast the Parmesan cheese before coating the chicken.
- Adjust garlic to your preference.
- Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking and Pan-Frying
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 150mg
Keywords: Parmesan chicken, crusted chicken, creamy garlic sauce, chicken recipe, easy chicken dinner