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