Ingredients
For the chicken
- 4 small boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
For the creamy garlic Parmesan sauce
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 5 garlic cloves, finely minced
- ¾ cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Salt, as needed
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, optional
Before You Begin
Chicken breasts cook more evenly when they have a similar thickness. If yours are especially thick, place them between two sheets of parchment paper and gently pound the thicker sections with a meat mallet or rolling pin.
You can also slice two large chicken breasts horizontally to create four thinner pieces. Thin chicken cutlets cook more quickly and are less likely to become dry before the outside develops a golden crust.
For the smoothest sauce, grate the Parmesan from a block. Pre-shredded cheese sometimes contains anti-caking ingredients that prevent it from melting as evenly.
How to Make Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken
1. Season the chicken
Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Removing excess moisture helps the surface brown properly.
Season both sides with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Sprinkle the flour lightly over the chicken and rub it across the surface to create a thin, even coating.
The flour helps the chicken develop a golden exterior and also gives the finished sauce a little more body.
2. Heat the skillet
Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and one tablespoon of butter.
Allow the butter to melt and begin bubbling, but do not let it burn. The skillet should be hot before you add the chicken.
3. Sear the chicken
Arrange the chicken breasts in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding the skillet because this can cause the chicken to steam instead of brown.
Cook for approximately 4 to 5 minutes on the first side without moving it unnecessarily. Turn each piece and cook the second side for another 4 minutes.
The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of the chicken. It does not need to be completely cooked at this stage because it will finish cooking in the sauce.
Transfer the seared chicken to a clean plate and set it aside.
