Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning (or 1 tsp dried thyme and 1 tsp dried rosemary)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Step 1: Season the chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked halfway through; remove the chicken and set aside.
- Step 2: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan (deglazing). Let the broth reduce slightly, about 2 minutes.
- Step 3: Stir in the heavy cream and the dried Italian seasoning (or thyme and rosemary). Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally, and allow the sauce to thicken slightly, about 3-4 minutes. Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Step 4: Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, nesting them gently in the creamy herb sauce. Lower the heat and cover the skillet. Let the chicken finish cooking completely in the sauce for 5-7 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Step 5: Remove the chicken and spoon the excess sauce over the top. Garnish the dish immediately with fresh chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- Keep leftover chicken and sauce refrigerated for up to 3 days, knowing the rich sauce will thicken substantially and may require a splash of broth or water when reheating.
- To avoid splitting the delicate cream sauce, always reheat leftovers gently in a skillet over low heat or in a moderate oven (300°F/150°C) rather than using a microwave.
- This rich, savory chicken is perfectly served alongside simple sides like fluffy mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or quick sautéed asparagus to soak up the luxurious sauce.
- Maximize the sauce's flavor profile by ensuring you vigorously scrape up all the browned bits (fond) from the bottom of the pan when you deglaze with the chicken broth in Step 2.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Chicken Breast with 1/4 cup Sauce
- Calories: 515
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0.1g
- Protein: 4g