Easy Chicken in Basil Cream Sauce Recipe: A Savory Delight

Succulent chicken in basil cream sauce redefines ordinary meals into extraordinary culinary adventures.

Tender protein nestles beneath a luxurious, aromatic blanket of fresh herbal richness.

Each ingredient whispers promises of comfort and sophistication.

Creamy textures blend seamlessly with vibrant green notes, creating a harmonious dance of flavors.

Mediterranean-inspired seasonings elevate this dish beyond simple weeknight fare.

Home cooks adore how quickly this elegant recipe comes together with minimal effort.

Rich and indulgent, this sauce captures the essence of gourmet cooking without complicated techniques.

Why Chicken in Basil Cream Sauce Feels Like Comfort Food

• Savor Quick Restaurant-Style Magic: This recipe transforms simple chicken into a gourmet dish with minimal culinary skills, bringing professional-level flavors right to your home kitchen.
• Capture Rich Layered Flavors: The combination of golden-brown chicken, creamy basil sauce, and Parmesan cheese creates an incredibly luxurious taste experience that balances crispy exterior with smooth, herbaceous sauce.
• Master Easy Cooking Technique: Breaking down the recipe into simple steps like milk-dipping, breadcrumb coating, and creating a quick pan sauce makes this dish approachable for home cooks of all skill levels, delivering impressive results without complex cooking methods.

Key Ingredients in Chicken in Basil Cream Sauce

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein perfect for this creamy dish, best when fresh and uniformly sized for even cooking.

• Milk, Breadcrumbs: Milk helps breadcrumbs adhere to chicken, creating a golden crispy exterior that adds delightful texture.

• Butter, Garlic: Butter provides rich flavor base, while garlic adds aromatic depth to the sauce.
• Chicken Broth: Enhances sauce's savory profile and helps deglaze the pan for more complex flavors.
• Heavy Cream: Creates luxurious, smooth sauce texture with rich, velvety consistency.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds salty, nutty undertones and helps thicken the sauce naturally.
• Fresh Basil: Brings bright, herbal freshness that complements the creamy sauce with its distinctive flavor.
• Black Pepper: Provides subtle heat and helps balance the cream's richness.

How to Make Chicken in Basil Cream Sauce Step by Step

Step 1: Prepare Baking Workspace

Warm the oven to 275°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set the dish aside for later use.

Step 2: Prepare Chicken Cutlets

• Milk
• Breadcrumbs

Dunk each chicken piece in milk, then completely coat with breadcrumbs.

Step 3: Cook Chicken Cutlets

Heat butter in a large skillet over medium temperature. Carefully brown chicken cutlets on both sides without burning. Transfer golden chicken to the prepared baking dish. Place in the oven to complete cooking, ensuring internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Step 4: Create Basil Cream Sauce

• Parmesan cheese
• Chopped basil
• Black pepper

Continuously stir until sauce thickens, approximately 5 minutes.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Drizzle the luscious basil cream sauce over the golden chicken cutlets. Serve immediately and savor the delightful flavors.

Tips for Perfect Chicken in Basil Cream Sauce

• Slice Strategically: Cut chicken breasts horizontally with a sharp knife for even, tender cutlets that cook uniformly.
• Pound Perfectly: Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to flatten chicken to exactly 1/2-inch thickness, ensuring consistent cooking and texture.
• Brown Brilliantly: Sear chicken in butter over medium heat until golden-brown, creating a crispy exterior and locking in moisture.
• Sauce Stability: Stir Parmesan cheese gradually into the cream sauce to prevent clumping and achieve a smooth, velvety consistency.
• Herb Freshness: Chop basil right before adding to the sauce to preserve its vibrant flavor and bright green color.

Best Storage Tips for Chicken in Basil Cream Sauce Leftovers

• Refrigerate: Store leftover chicken in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Cool the chicken completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Freeze: Wrap individual chicken cutlets tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheat: Warm chicken gently in the oven at 275°F for 10-15 minutes to maintain moisture. Alternatively, use the microwave with 30-second intervals, checking temperature to prevent drying out. Add a splash of chicken broth or cream to restore sauce's original consistency.

What Complements Chicken in Basil Cream Sauce Beautifully

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a zesty sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio to complement the creamy basil sauce and cut through the richness of the chicken.
• Serve with Herbal Side Salad: Create a light mixed green salad with fresh basil leaves, cherry tomatoes, and a lemon vinaigrette to echo the dish's herbal notes.
• Match with Roasted Vegetable Medley: Prepare a colorful roasted vegetable side like zucchini, bell peppers, and asparagus to add texture and balance the creamy sauce.
• Choose Crusty Bread Accompaniment: Serve warm, rustic Italian bread to soak up the delicious basil cream sauce and enhance the overall dining experience.

Tasty Variations of Chicken in Basil Cream Sauce to Try

• Mediterranean Herb Chicken: Replace basil with a blend of oregano, thyme, and rosemary for a vibrant Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile. Swap Parmesan with crumbled feta cheese to enhance the regional taste.
• Spicy Southwest Chicken: Incorporate chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika into the breadcrumb coating. Add diced green chilies to the cream sauce and top with fresh cilantro for a zesty southwestern kick.
• Mushroom Garlic Chicken: Sauté sliced mushrooms in the skillet before adding garlic. Incorporate mushroom broth instead of chicken broth and sprinkle extra sautéed mushrooms over the final dish for an earthy, umami-rich variation.
• Lemon Herb Chicken: Infuse the cream sauce with fresh lemon zest and juice. Garnish with additional chopped parsley and thin lemon slices to brighten the overall flavor and add a citrusy freshness to the dish.

Chicken in Basil Cream Sauce Recipe

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4.6 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy chicken basil sauce brings Italian elegance to your dinner table. Tender chicken breasts nestle in a luxurious herb-infused cream sauce that promises rich flavor and simple sophistication.

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Ingredients

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Proteins:

• 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Coating and Cheese:

• ¾ cup dried Italian breadcrumbs
• ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Liquids and Seasonings:

• ½ cup milk
• ½ cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

1. Butterfly chicken breasts by slicing horizontally, creating four uniform cutlets. Gently tenderize each piece to an even half-inch thickness using a meat mallet.
2. Prepare two shallow dishes: one with milk and another with breadcrumbs. Thoroughly immerse each chicken cutlet in milk, ensuring complete coverage, then carefully coat with breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere.
3. Heat butter in a large skillet over medium temperature. Carefully brown chicken cutlets until golden, approximately 2-3 minutes per side. Maintain an even, delicate color without burning.
4. Transfer browned cutlets to a prepared baking dish. Place in a preheated oven to complete cooking, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F, which typically takes around 10 minutes.
5. In the same skillet, sauté minced garlic briefly until fragrant. Pour chicken broth, scraping accumulated browned bits from the pan’s surface. Bring liquid to a vigorous simmer.
6. Introduce heavy cream to the skillet, stirring continuously. Allow sauce to bubble slightly, then reduce heat. Incorporate Parmesan cheese, freshly chopped basil, and cracked black pepper.
7. Gently whisk sauce until it thickens and reaches a smooth, velvety consistency, approximately 4-5 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
8. Plate chicken cutlets and generously ladle the aromatic basil cream sauce over the top. Garnish with additional fresh basil leaves for enhanced presentation.

Notes

• Precision matters when slicing and pounding chicken to ensure even cooking and tender results.
• Dipping chicken in milk before breadcrumbs creates a crispy, golden-brown exterior that locks in moisture.
• Finish cooking chicken in the oven guarantees safe internal temperature and prevents overcooking on the stovetop.
• Deglazing the pan with chicken broth captures delicious browned bits for extra flavor in the cream sauce.
• Gentle heat and constant stirring are crucial for preventing sauce separation and achieving smooth, creamy consistency.
• Fresh basil adds bright, aromatic notes that elevate the entire dish from ordinary to extraordinary.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 685
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 520 mg
• Fat: 50 g
• Saturated Fat: 31 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 34 g
• Cholesterol: 200 mg