Irresistibly Creamy Chicken Recipe: Ready in 30 Minutes

Creamy chicken represents the ultimate comfort food for busy families seeking delectable dinner solutions.

Home cooks adore this versatile protein-packed meal that refines simple ingredients into something magical.

Tender meat bathed in rich, velvety sauce creates an irresistible dining experience that feels simultaneously elegant and approachable.

Sophisticated yet straightforward, this culinary masterpiece brings restaurant-quality flavors directly to your kitchen without complicated techniques.

The combination of succulent protein and smooth, luxurious sauce guarantees a crowd-pleasing dish that satisfies even the pickiest eaters.

Balanced ingredients and smart cooking methods ensure a meal that’s both nutritious and indulgent.

creamy chicken stands as a testament to home cooking’s power to elevate everyday ingredients into something extraordinary.

Creamy Chicken That Hits All the Right Notes

• Savor Rich Flavor Fusion: This creamy chicken dish bursts with Mediterranean-inspired taste combinations, blending pesto's herbal notes, sun-dried tomatoes' tangy sweetness, and tender chicken's savory profile.
• Enjoy Quick and Easy Preparation: With just one skillet and simple ingredients, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality meal in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknight dinners or last-minute entertaining.
• Experience Texture Harmony: Creamy sauce coats perfectly cooked chicken strips while crisp bell peppers and soft sun-dried tomatoes provide delightful contrasting textures that make every bite interesting and satisfying.
• Customize with Minimal Effort: Easily adaptable recipe allows home cooks to swap vegetables or proteins, making it versatile for different dietary preferences and pantry ingredients without compromising deliciousness.

Creamy Chicken Must-Have Ingredients

• Chicken Strips: Lean protein that creates the base of the dish, best when fresh and evenly cut for consistent cooking.
• Italian Seasoning: Classic herb blend that adds depth and aromatic flavor to the chicken.

• Heavy Cream: Rich base that creates smooth, luxurious sauce texture.
• Chicken Broth: Adds savory depth and helps thin the sauce for proper consistency.
• Pesto: Provides herbal, bright flavor with basil and garlic notes.

• Onions, Garlic: Fundamental aromatics that build foundational flavor profile.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Intense, sweet-tangy element that adds complexity to the dish.
• Bell Peppers: Colorful vegetable that provides sweetness and crisp texture.

• Olive Oil: Helps with sautéing and adds subtle fruity undertone.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings for enhancing overall taste.
• Parmesan Cheese: Sharp, salty cheese that adds richness when sprinkled on top.
• Fresh Basil: Bright, fresh herb for garnish and additional aroma.

How to Make Creamy Chicken With Comforting Texture

Step 1: Prepare Chicken

• Sprinkle chicken strips with Italian seasoning
• Add salt and pepper to taste

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken for 7-8 minutes until fully cooked. Transfer chicken to a plate and set aside.

Step 2: Create Creamy Pesto Sauce

• Heavy cream
• Chicken broth
• Pesto

Whisk ingredients until smooth and set aside.

Step 3: Sauté Vegetable Base

• Chopped onions (cook for 2 minutes)
• Minced garlic
• Sun-dried tomatoes

Cook until vegetables become fragrant and slightly golden.

Step 4: Add Bell Peppers

Toss bell peppers into the skillet. Cook for 4 minutes until peppers become tender and slightly softened.

Step 5: Combine Sauce and Vegetables

Pour pesto sauce into the skillet. Bring mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally.

Step 6: Reunite Chicken with Sauce

Return cooked chicken to the skillet. Warm for 2 minutes, allowing sauce to slightly thicken.

Step 7: Finish and Garnish

Sprinkle freshly grated parmesan cheese and torn basil leaves on top. Serve immediately while hot.

Pro Tips to Master Creamy Chicken at Home

• Maximize Flavor Infusion: Let chicken marinate in Italian seasoning for 15-30 minutes before cooking to enhance taste depth.
• Perfect Chicken Sear: Pat chicken dry before seasoning to ensure a golden-brown, crispy exterior that locks in juices.
• Sauce Consistency Control: Whisk cream mixture thoroughly to prevent separation and create a smooth, velvety sauce.
• Vegetable Timing Technique: Cut vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and maintain ideal texture.
• Freshness Finale: Add fresh basil and parmesan just before serving to preserve vibrant flavors and aromatic qualities.

How to Keep Creamy Chicken Smooth When Reheating

• Refrigerate: Transfer leftovers to an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sauce separation. Add a splash of chicken broth to maintain moisture and restore creamy texture.
• Freezing: Cool completely before freezing in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to preserve the dish's delicate flavors and consistency.

Perfect Matches for Creamy Chicken Plates

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Enhance the creamy, herbaceous pesto chicken by serving a chilled sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio, which cuts through the richness and complements the dish's bright flavors.
• Serve with Crusty Garlic Bread: Create the perfect accompaniment by toasting a rustic baguette with garlic butter, providing a crunchy texture that soaks up the delicious pesto sauce.
• Match with Fresh Arugula Salad: Balance the creamy chicken with a light, peppery arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette, adding a refreshing contrast to the rich main course.
• Complement with Roasted Asparagus: Prepare simple roasted asparagus with olive oil and sea salt, offering a green vegetable side that adds nutritional value and a subtle earthiness to the meal.

Flavor Variations for Your Creamy Chicken Dish

• Spicy Mediterranean Chicken: Replace pesto with harissa paste and add red chili flakes for a fiery kick. Include diced jalapeños and swap bell peppers for roasted red peppers to enhance the heat profile.
• Herb Garden Chicken: Substitute Italian seasoning with fresh chopped rosemary, thyme, and oregano. Use white wine instead of chicken broth and incorporate fresh spinach leaves during the final cooking stage for added nutrients.
• Creamy Mushroom Chicken: Add sliced cremini or shiitake mushrooms when cooking onions. Replace sun-dried tomatoes with wild mushroom blend and stir in a splash of marsala wine for deep, earthy flavors. Garnish with chopped chives instead of basil.
• Light Greek-Style Chicken: Use Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream, add lemon zest, and reduce sauce with crumbled feta cheese. Include kalamata olives and swap basil for fresh dill to create a Mediterranean-inspired version.

Creamy Chicken Recipe

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4.7 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy chicken delivers comforting Southern hospitality with tender protein nestled in rich, silky sauce. Hearty ingredients and simple preparation ensure you’ll savor each spoonful of this soul-warming classic.

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Ingredients

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Proteins:

• 1 pound (454 grams) boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
• 3 tablespoons basil pesto

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 small bell peppers, cut into long thin strips (any color)
• ½ cup (75 grams) sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped
• Chopped fresh basil, for garnish

Liquids and Seasonings:

• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil, divided
• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) low sodium chicken broth
• Grated parmesan, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Prepare a spacious skillet by warming olive oil over medium flame, creating a perfect cooking surface for the chicken.
2. Massage chicken strips with aromatic Italian seasoning, complemented by salt and pepper, ensuring even flavor distribution.
3. Carefully sear chicken strips until they transform into golden, fully cooked morsels, approximately 7-8 minutes. Transfer to a waiting plate.
4. Craft a luxurious sauce by whisking together velvety heavy cream, rich chicken broth, and vibrant pesto in a separate mixing bowl.
5. Reintroduce the skillet to heat, allowing onions to soften and release their subtle sweetness for approximately 2 minutes.
6. Introduce minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes, allowing their intense aromatics to permeate the cooking environment.
7. Incorporate crisp bell peppers, sautéing until they reach a tender yet slightly resistant texture, roughly 4 minutes.
8. Gently cascade the prepared pesto sauce into the skillet, creating a simmering, fragrant base.
9. Reunite the cooked chicken with the vegetable medley, allowing it to warm through and absorb the sauce’s complex flavors.
10. Allow the sauce to slightly thicken, creating a glossy, cohesive coating.
11. Elevate the dish with a delicate sprinkle of freshly grated parmesan and aromatic basil leaves.

Notes

• Quickly marinate chicken in Italian seasoning for deeper, more robust flavor profiles before cooking.
• Choose a large skillet to ensure even cooking and proper sauce development without overcrowding ingredients.
• Pat chicken strips dry before seasoning to achieve perfect golden-brown exterior and prevent steaming.
• Sun-dried tomatoes add intense, concentrated sweetness that elevates the entire dish’s taste complexity.
• Fresh basil and parmesan cheese transform this creamy chicken from ordinary to restaurant-quality presentation.
• Simmer sauce gently to prevent separation and maintain smooth, luxurious texture throughout cooking process.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 600
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 450mg
• Fat: 42g
• Saturated Fat: 18g
• Unsaturated Fat: 22g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 10g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 37g
• Cholesterol: 130mg