Imagine biting into a perfectly crispy chicken breast, coated in golden Parmesan, followed by the luxurious embrace of a dreamy garlic cream sauce. Sound good? If you’re craving comfort food that’s surprisingly easy to make, then get ready! I’m going to show you how to make the most incredible Crispy Parmesan Chicken – Dreamy Garlic Cream Sauce that will have everyone begging for seconds (and the recipe!).
Gathering Your Heavenly Ingredients
Here is everything you’ll need to create this masterpiece:
For the Crispy Parmesan Chicken:
- Chicken Breasts: 2 large, boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded to 1/2-inch thickness. This ensures even cooking and crispy coating!
- All-Purpose Flour: 1/2 cup, for dredging.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese: 1 cup, freshly grated is best for flavor!
- Italian Bread Crumbs: 1/2 cup, adds extra crunch.
- Dried Italian Seasoning: 1 teaspoon, for that classic Italian flavor.
- Garlic Powder: 1/2 teaspoon, enhances the garlic notes.
- Salt and Black Pepper: To taste, season generously!
- Eggs: 2 large, lightly beaten.
- Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons, for pan-frying.
For the Dreamy Garlic Cream Sauce:
- Butter: 4 tablespoons, unsalted, for richness and flavor.
- Garlic: 4 cloves, minced. Don’t skimp on the garlic!
- Heavy Cream: 1 cup, for that luscious, creamy texture.
- Chicken Broth: 1/2 cup, adds depth of flavor.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese: 1/2 cup, more cheese = more deliciousness!
- Fresh Parsley: 2 tablespoons, chopped, for freshness and color.
- Salt and Black Pepper: To taste, season carefully.
- Pinch of Red Pepper Flakes: Optional, for a little kick.
Step-by-Step to Crispy Parmesan Chicken Perfection
Let’s get cooking! Follow these easy steps for chicken that’s crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, smothered in a creamy garlic dream.
Preparing the Chicken:
- Pound the chicken breasts to an even 1/2-inch thickness. This is crucial for even cooking and a tender result. I like to use a meat mallet and place the chicken between two sheets of plastic wrap to prevent splattering.
- In a shallow dish, combine the flour, salt, and pepper.
- In another shallow dish, combine the Parmesan cheese, Italian bread crumbs, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.
- In a third shallow dish, lightly beat the eggs.
- Dredge each chicken breast in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
- Dip the floured chicken into the beaten eggs, ensuring it’s fully coated.
- Press the chicken into the Parmesan cheese mixture, coating both sides evenly. Press firmly to help the coating adhere.
Cooking the Chicken:
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Carefully place the coated chicken breasts in the hot skillet. Don’t overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary.
- Cook for 5-7 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.
Making the Dreamy Garlic Cream Sauce:
- In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic!
- Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer.
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes (if using). Continue to simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened slightly, about 3-5 minutes.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Stir in the fresh parsley.
Serving Suggestions for a Culinary Masterpiece
Now for the best part – putting it all together and enjoying this incredible dish!
Plating Perfection:
- Place a crispy Parmesan chicken breast on each plate.
- Spoon the dreamy garlic cream sauce generously over the chicken.
- Garnish with extra fresh parsley and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
Side Dish Sensations:
This Crispy Parmesan Chicken – Dreamy Garlic Cream Sauce pairs perfectly with so many sides! Consider serving it with:
- Pasta: Toss cooked pasta (like spaghetti or fettuccine) in the extra garlic cream sauce for a complete meal.
- Roasted Vegetables: Asparagus, broccoli, or Brussels sprouts are all fantastic options.
- Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes are a classic comfort food pairing.
- A Simple Salad: A light salad with a vinaigrette dressing will balance the richness of the dish.
Troubleshooting: Your Chicken Savior is Here!
Even the best cooks encounter little hiccups. Here are some common issues and how to fix them:
Chicken Coating Not Sticking?
Make sure to thoroughly dry the chicken breasts with paper towels before dredging. Also, press the Parmesan cheese mixture firmly onto the chicken to help it adhere.
Chicken Burning Before Cooking Through?
Reduce the heat to medium-low and continue cooking until the chicken is cooked through. You can also tent the skillet with foil to help trap heat and cook the chicken more evenly.
Sauce Too Thick?
Add a splash of chicken broth or milk to thin the sauce to your desired consistency.
Sauce Too Thin?
Continue simmering the sauce over low heat until it thickens. You can also add a slurry of cornstarch and water (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water) to help thicken the sauce.
Level Up Your Chicken Game: Variations and Add-Ins
Want to put your own spin on this recipe? Here are some ideas to get your creative juices flowing:
Spice it Up:
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the Parmesan cheese mixture for a little heat. You can also use a spicy Italian sausage in the sauce for an extra kick.
Cheese Please:
Experiment with different types of cheese in the sauce. A little bit of Asiago or Romano cheese would be delicious.
Mushroom Magic:
Add sliced mushrooms to the skillet after cooking the garlic for a savory twist.
Lemon Zest:
Grate a little lemon zest into the Parmesan cheese mixture for a bright, citrusy flavor.
Beyond Crispy Parmesan Chicken: Exploring More Deliciousness
If you loved this recipe, I know you’ll adore some of my other favorite chicken dishes. For a bold and flavorful experience, try COWBOY BUTTER CHICKEN. If you’re looking for a similar sauce but with a different cooking method, you can’t go wrong with CREAMY GARLIC PARMESAN CHICKEN. Craving pasta? Then look no further than GARLIC PARMESAN PASTA HEAVEN or GARLICKY PARMESAN CHICKEN PASTA. And if you’re still wanting chicken and pasta, try out GARLIC PARMESAN CHICKEN PASTA. One last thing – don’t forget about this amazing Parmesan Chicken with Garlic Sauce!
The Final Bite: Your Crispy Parmesan Chicken Awaits
You’ve got this! Making Crispy Parmesan Chicken with Dreamy Garlic Cream Sauce is easier than you think, and the results are absolutely worth it. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this restaurant-quality dish. Now go forth and create some kitchen magic!
Why is it important to pound the chicken breasts to 1/2-inch thickness?
Pounding the chicken breasts to an even 1/2-inch thickness ensures even cooking and a tender result. This also helps the chicken cook faster and more consistently.
What can I serve with the Crispy Parmesan Chicken with Dreamy Garlic Cream Sauce?
This dish pairs well with pasta tossed in the extra garlic cream sauce, roasted vegetables (like asparagus, broccoli, or Brussels sprouts), creamy mashed potatoes, or a simple salad.
What can I do if the chicken coating isn’t sticking properly?
Make sure to thoroughly dry the chicken breasts with paper towels before dredging. Also, press the Parmesan cheese mixture firmly onto the chicken to help it adhere.
How can I adjust the recipe to add more spice?
You can add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the Parmesan cheese mixture or use spicy Italian sausage in the sauce for an extra kick.
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Dreams
Equipment
- meat mallet
- Plastic Wrap
- 3 shallow dishes
- Large skillet
- Paper towels
- Spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Chef’s knife
- Cutting board
- Serving plates
Ingredients
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded to 1/2-inch thickness
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- ½ cup Italian bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Pinch of red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound to an even 1/2-inch thickness using a meat mallet.
- In a shallow dish, combine flour, salt, and pepper.
- In another shallow dish, combine Parmesan cheese, Italian bread crumbs, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.
- In a third shallow dish, lightly beat the eggs.
- Dredge each chicken breast in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
- Dip the floured chicken into the beaten eggs, ensuring it’s fully coated.
- Press the chicken into the Parmesan cheese mixture, coating both sides evenly. Press firmly to help the coating adhere.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Carefully place the coated chicken breasts in the hot skillet. Don’t overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary.
- Cook for 5-7 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.
- In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic!
- Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer.
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes (if using). Continue to simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened slightly, about 3-5 minutes.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Stir in the fresh parsley.
- Place a crispy Parmesan chicken breast on each plate.
- Spoon the dreamy garlic cream sauce generously over the chicken.
- Garnish with extra fresh parsley and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.