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Creamy Herb Chicken Skillet

Creamy Herb Chicken Skillet

Creamy Herb Chicken Skillet is a quick and comforting one-pan dish that features tender chicken breasts or thighs simmered in a luscious herb-infused cream sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners, it combines simple ingredients like fresh garlic, chicken broth, cream, and fresh herbs to create a rich, flavorful meal that’s both elegant and family-friendly.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

Fats

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter

Aromatics

  • 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced

Liquids

  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Herbs & Cheese

  • 2 tablespoons fresh herbs (thyme, parsley, or rosemary), chopped
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Seasonings

  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts or thighs generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken until golden brown on both sides, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
  2. Sauté Aromatics: Lower the heat to medium and add minced garlic to the same skillet. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. This step builds the flavor base for your sauce.
  3. Make the Herb Cream Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and bring it to a simmer, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Stir in the heavy cream, fresh herbs, lemon juice, and grated Parmesan cheese. Let the sauce simmer for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
  4. Combine and Finish Cooking: Return the chicken to the skillet, spooning some sauce over each piece. Cover and cook for another 5-7 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce is creamy and rich.
  5. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle fresh parsley or additional herbs on top for a pop of color and fresh flavor before serving.

Notes

  • Use room temperature chicken to ensure even cooking and juiciness.
  • Don’t skip searing the chicken to get a flavorful golden crust.
  • Simmer the sauce gently on low heat to prevent it from breaking or curdling.
  • Add fresh herbs at the end to preserve their bright, fresh taste.
  • If the sauce is too thick, stir in more broth; if too thin, let it simmer longer to thicken.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy chicken, herb chicken, one-pan dinner, quick dinner, weeknight recipe, gluten free, comfort food