Parmesan Crusted Chicken with Creamy Garlic Sauce
Parmesan Crusted Chicken with Creamy Garlic Sauce is an indulgent yet easy-to-make dish featuring juicy chicken breasts with a golden, crispy Parmesan and panko breadcrumb crust, topped with a luscious, velvety garlic cream sauce. Perfect for family dinners or impressing guests, this recipe delivers crispy texture balanced with rich, mild garlic flavors, ready in about 30 minutes.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (with gluten-free breadcrumb substitution)
Chicken and Coating
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons melted butter or olive oil (for brushing)
Creamy Garlic Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for sprinkling)
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This helps the crust adhere better and become crispy during cooking.
- Make the Parmesan Coating: In a shallow dish, mix the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and panko breadcrumbs with salt and pepper until well combined to create your crust mixture.
- Coat the Chicken: Lightly brush each chicken breast on all sides with melted butter or olive oil. Press each piece firmly into the Parmesan breadcrumb mixture, making sure all sides are evenly coated for maximum crunch.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the coated chicken breasts for 4-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare the Creamy Garlic Sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat and sauté minced garlic until fragrant but not browned, about 1 minute. Slowly stir in the heavy cream, scraping up any browned bits from the pan. Allow the sauce to simmer gently until it thickens to a luscious consistency, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine and Serve: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet and spoon the creamy garlic sauce generously over each piece to coat well. Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and fresh flavor before serving.
Notes
- Use room temperature chicken for even cooking and juicier results.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese is essential for the crispiest crust — pre-grated may contain anti-clumping agents.
- Do not overcrowd the pan when cooking chicken; cook in batches if necessary for best browning.
- Keep heat moderate and stir garlic constantly to avoid burnt, bitter garlic.
- Simmer the sauce long enough to thicken so it clings nicely to the chicken.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg
Keywords: Parmesan chicken, creamy garlic sauce, crispy chicken, quick dinner, easy recipe, family-friendly, comfort food