Crispy Parmesan Chicken with a Rich Garlic Sauce Recipe
This Crispy Parmesan Chicken with a Rich Garlic Sauce is a flavorful and indulgent dish featuring tender chicken breasts pan-fried to golden perfection and smothered in a creamy garlic parmesan sauce. Enhanced with Italian seasoning and optional fresh spinach, this recipe is perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner or special occasion meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 small to medium chicken breasts (or 2 large breasts halved)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup light cream or heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning or oregano
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 cup spinach, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt and pepper to taste.
- Heat the Oil: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking.
- Cook the Chicken: Add the chicken breasts to the skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside and cooked through inside.
- Set Aside Chicken: Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and place them on a plate to rest while you prepare the sauce.
- Sauté Garlic: Reduce heat to medium-low and add the minced garlic to the same skillet. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Add Cream: Pour in 1 cup of light or heavy cream, stirring continuously to combine with the garlic and pan juices.
- Season and Cheese: Stir in 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning or oregano and 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Add Spinach (Optional): If using, add 1 cup of chopped spinach to the sauce and simmer for 2-3 minutes until the spinach wilts and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning the creamy garlic sauce over the top to coat them well.
- Finish Cooking: Let everything simmer together for 1 minute so the chicken absorbs some of the sauce flavors.
- Serve: Remove from heat and serve hot. This dish pairs beautifully with pasta, roasted vegetables, or mashed potatoes.
Notes
- Use light cream for a lighter sauce or heavy cream for richer texture.
- For extra crispiness, you can lightly dredge the chicken in flour before frying.
- Fresh spinach adds color and nutrition but can be omitted.
- Make sure not to burn the garlic as it will turn bitter and affect the sauce flavor.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper after adding the cream, as cheese adds saltiness.
Keywords: crispy chicken, parmesan chicken, garlic sauce, creamy chicken recipe, Italian chicken dish, skillet chicken
