The Secret to Outrageously Good Garlic Parmesan Chicken: Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- Chicken Breasts: 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6-8 ounces each)
- Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons
- Salt: 1 teaspoon
- Black Pepper: ½ teaspoon
- Garlic Powder: ½ teaspoon
- Italian Seasoning: ½ teaspoon
For the Garlic Parmesan Sauce:
- Butter: 4 tablespoons (½ cup)
- Garlic: 4 cloves, minced (fresh is best!)
- Chicken Broth: ½ cup
- Heavy Cream: ½ cup
- Grated Parmesan Cheese: ½ cup, plus more for topping
- Dried Parsley: 1 tablespoon
- Red Pepper Flakes: ¼ teaspoon (optional, for a little kick)
- Salt and Pepper: To taste
Let’s Get Cooking: Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepping the Chicken (It’s All About the Base!)
- Pound the Chicken: Place each chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap or in a large zip-top bag. Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound the chicken to an even ½-inch thickness. This ensures even cooking and maximum tenderness.
- Season Generously: In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Brush this mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts. Don’t be shy with the seasoning – it’s what gives the chicken its flavor!
Making the Garlic Parmesan Magic
- Sauté the Garlic: In a large skillet (preferably cast iron, but any oven-safe skillet will work) over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as this will make the sauce bitter.
- Create the Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 5 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Parmesan Power: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, dried parsley, and red pepper flakes (if using). Continue to simmer for another 2-3 minutes, or until the Parmesan cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste. This is where you can really customize the flavor to your liking!
Putting It All Together (The Grand Finale!)
- Sear the Chicken: Carefully place the seasoned chicken breasts into the skillet with the garlic Parmesan sauce. Sear each side for 2-3 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. This step is crucial for locking in the juices and adding a beautiful color to the chicken. If you’re looking for Different Way To Cook Chicken, you could skip the searing and bake directly, but searing adds great flavor.
- Bake to Perfection: Transfer the skillet to a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C). Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer to ensure accuracy.
- Broil for Extra Goodness (Optional): For a more golden and bubbly top, broil the chicken for the last 1-2 minutes of cooking, keeping a close eye on it to prevent burning.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven and sprinkle the Garlic Parmesan Chicken with additional grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley (if desired). Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Tips and Tricks for Garlic Parmesan Chicken Success
Chicken Prep Power
Pounding the chicken to an even thickness is seriously important! It not only helps it cook evenly, but it also makes it more tender. If you don’t have a meat mallet, a rolling pin or even the bottom of a heavy saucepan will do the trick. Also, don’t be afraid to experiment with different seasonings. A little smoked paprika can add a wonderful depth of flavor.
Sauce Savvy
The key to a perfect garlic Parmesan sauce is low and slow. Simmering the sauce gently allows the flavors to meld together beautifully. And remember, fresh garlic is always best! If you only have garlic powder on hand, use about 1 teaspoon, but the flavor won’t be quite as vibrant. For an even richer sauce, you can add a splash of white wine after sautéing the garlic.
Oven Options
If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, you can transfer the seared chicken to a baking dish before baking. Just make sure the dish is large enough to hold the chicken in a single layer. And if you’re short on time, you can skip the searing step altogether and simply bake the chicken in the sauce. It might take a little longer to cook, but it will still be delicious. This recipe works for Dinner Recipes For 10 People too, just adjust quantities accordingly.
Serving Suggestions (Because Presentation Matters!)
Garlic Parmesan Chicken is incredibly versatile and pairs well with a variety of side dishes. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Pasta: Serve over your favorite pasta, such as spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne. Toss the pasta with some of the garlic Parmesan sauce for extra flavor.
- Rice: A simple side of rice, either white or brown, is a perfect complement to the richness of the chicken.
- Vegetables: Roasted vegetables, such as broccoli, asparagus, or Brussels sprouts, add a healthy and colorful touch to the meal.
- Salad: A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette provides a refreshing contrast to the savory chicken.
- Bread: Crusty bread or garlic bread is perfect for soaking up the delicious sauce.
Variations to Spice Things Up (Get Creative!)
One of the best things about this recipe is how easy it is to customize to your liking. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Lemon Garlic Parmesan Chicken: Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to the sauce for a bright and tangy flavor.
- Spicy Garlic Parmesan Chicken: Increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a dash of hot sauce to the sauce for a fiery kick.
- Mushroom Garlic Parmesan Chicken: Sauté sliced mushrooms with the garlic for an earthy and savory twist.
- Spinach Garlic Parmesan Chicken: Stir in fresh spinach to the sauce during the last few minutes of cooking for added nutrients and flavor.
Making it a Meal for Two (Dinner Ideas For Two Cheap)
This recipe is easily adaptable for a romantic Dinner Ideas For Two Cheap. Simply halve the ingredients and use two chicken breasts. Serve with a side of pasta or a simple salad for a delicious and affordable meal. Leftovers (if there are any!) are great for lunch the next day.
More Garlic Parmesan Goodness
If you love garlic Parmesan as much as I do, you’ll definitely want to check out these other amazing recipes:
- Garlic Parmesan Chicken Perfection 2025: A future classic!
- Garlic Butter Chicken Heaven: Another incredibly flavorful and easy chicken dish.
- Garlic Parmesan Chicken Heaven: A very close recipe to this one but worth exploring!
- Parmesan Crust Chicken Tenders: Perfect for a fun and easy appetizer or snack.
- Air Fryer Parmesan Chicken: A quick and healthy way to enjoy your favorite flavors.
- Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Perfection: Set it and forget it! Let your slow cooker do the work.
Storage and Reheating (Maximize the Flavors!)
Leftover Garlic Parmesan Chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, you can either microwave it for a few minutes or bake it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through. Adding a splash of chicken broth or water to the sauce before reheating can help prevent it from drying out.
Garlic Parmesan Chicken: Your New Weeknight Hero
There you have it – the ultimate guide to making Garlic Parmesan Chicken! This recipe is easy to follow, customizable, and guaranteed to impress. So go ahead, give it a try. I promise you won’t be disappointed. Happy cooking!
Why is it important to pound the chicken breasts before cooking?
Pounding the chicken to an even ½-inch thickness ensures even cooking and maximum tenderness.
Can I use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic for the sauce?
Yes, you can use about 1 teaspoon of garlic powder if you don’t have fresh garlic. However, the flavor won’t be quite as vibrant.
What temperature should the chicken be cooked to in order to be considered safe to eat?
The chicken should be cooked until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer to ensure accuracy.
What are some good side dishes to serve with Garlic Parmesan Chicken?
Garlic Parmesan Chicken pairs well with pasta, rice, roasted vegetables (like broccoli or asparagus), salad, and crusty bread.
Ultimate Garlic Parmesan Chicken
Equipment
- Meat Mallet or Rolling Pin
- Plastic wrap or zip-top bag
- Small bowl
- Large skillet (oven-safe preferred)
- Spatula or spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Meat thermometer
- Oven
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts 6-8 ounces each
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place each chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap or in a large zip-top bag. Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound the chicken to an even ½-inch thickness.
- In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Brush this mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
- Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 5 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, dried parsley, and red pepper flakes (if using). Continue to simmer for another 2-3 minutes, or until the Parmesan cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Carefully place the seasoned chicken breasts into the skillet with the garlic Parmesan sauce. Sear each side for 2-3 minutes, or until lightly golden brown.
- Transfer the skillet to a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C). Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer to ensure accuracy.
- For a more golden and bubbly top, broil the chicken for the last 1-2 minutes of cooking, keeping a close eye on it to prevent burning (optional).
- Remove the skillet from the oven and sprinkle the Garlic Parmesan Chicken with additional grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley (if desired). Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
