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Delicious Chicken Basil Cream Sauce served as the featured image for a food blog post.
Lady Maria

Amazing Chicken Basil Cream Sauce

This Chicken Basil Cream Sauce recipe features tender chicken breasts in a luscious cream sauce with garlic and fresh basil. Ready in under 30 minutes, it's a restaurant-quality meal you can easily make at home, perfect over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 600
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup packed fresh basil leaves, chopped
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes for serving

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • knife
  • Cutting board
  • Measuring spoons
  • Measuring cups
  • paper towels
  • Spatula or spoon
  • tongs
  • Meat thermometer (optional)

Method
 

  1. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  3. Add the chicken breasts to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes per side, or until cooked through and golden brown. An internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) is ideal.
  4. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside to rest.
  5. In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
  6. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic!
  7. Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
  8. Bring the broth to a simmer, then stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese.
  9. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5-7 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly.
  10. Stir in the chopped fresh basil and red pepper flakes (if using). Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  11. Slice the cooked chicken breasts and add them back to the skillet with the cream sauce.
  12. Spoon the Chicken Basil Cream Sauce over your favorite pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes.
  13. Garnish with extra fresh basil and Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Notes

For a thicker sauce, simmer for a few more minutes or whisk in a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water). If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of chicken broth or milk. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently. Variations: Add sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, or mushrooms. For a vegetarian option, skip the chicken and add sautéed vegetables.