Crispy Parmesan Chicken with Garlic Cream Sauce
Crispy Parmesan Chicken with Garlic Cream Sauce is a quick and easy dinner that’s better than takeout. After making this many times, I’ve perfected the crispy coating and creamy sauce. The crispy chicken and golden, bubbly sauce will make your family beg for seconds. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles and Crispy Mango Slaw.
Why This Crispy Parmesan Chicken with Garlic Cream Sauce Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy chicken coating stays crispy even after adding the sauce.
- Rich, creamy garlic sauce complements the chicken perfectly.
- Easy to customize with your favorite seasonings or add-ins.
- Family-friendly and ready in just 30 minutes.
What You'll Need for Crispy Parmesan Chicken with Garlic Cream Sauce
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- chicken breasts
- parmesan cheese
- breadcrumbs
- butter
- heavy cream
- garlic
- salt
- black pepper
- garlic powder
- Italian seasoning
- Optional: fresh parsley
- Optional: red pepper flakes
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work best.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Food processor — Quickly pulverizes breadcrumbs and cheese for an even coating. → See on Amazon
- Cast iron skillet — Even heat distribution for perfect searing and crispiness. → See on Amazon
How to Make Crispy Parmesan Chicken with Garlic Cream Sauce
- Prepare the chicken: Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Coat in a mixture of parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs.
- Cook the chicken: Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken for 5-7 minutes on each side until crispy and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet, melt more butter. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir in heavy cream and simmer for 5 minutes until thickened. Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve: Return chicken to skillet, spoon sauce over the top, and garnish with fresh parsley and red pepper flakes if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Crispy Parmesan Chicken with Garlic Cream Sauce
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcrowd the skillet when cooking the chicken. Cook in batches if necessary to maintain a crispy coating.
- Expert tip: For an even crispier coating, dredge the chicken in flour before coating in the parmesan and breadcrumb mixture.
- Time-saving tip: Prepare the chicken coating and seasonings ahead of time for a quick weeknight dinner.
Storing & Reheating Crispy Parmesan Chicken with Garlic Cream Sauce
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare the chicken coating and seasonings ahead of time. Cook the chicken and make the sauce just before serving.
Freezing Crispy Parmesan Chicken with Garlic Cream Sauce
Freeze cooked chicken for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes until warmed through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes until warmed through. The coating may lose some crispiness.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the chicken seasoning.
- Best substitution: Substitute chicken breasts with chicken tenders for easier handling and cooking.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the chicken coating and seasonings ahead of time for a quick weeknight dinner.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a splash of chicken broth or milk.
Want to level up this recipe?
Instant-read thermometer — Ensures chicken is cooked to a safe temperature, preventing overcooking and dryness. → Check price on Amazon
Crispy Parmesan Chicken with Garlic Cream Sauce
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- chicken breasts
- parmesan cheese
- breadcrumbs
- butter
- heavy cream
- garlic
Seasonings
- salt
- black pepper
- garlic powder
- Italian seasoning
Optional Toppings
- fresh parsley
- red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Coat in a mixture of parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs.
- Cook the chicken: Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken for 5-7 minutes on each side until crispy and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet, melt more butter. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir in heavy cream and simmer for 5 minutes until thickened. Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve: Return chicken to skillet, spoon sauce over the top, and garnish with fresh parsley and red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the chicken seasoning.
- Best substitution: Substitute chicken breasts with chicken tenders for easier handling and cooking.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the chicken coating and seasonings ahead of time for a quick weeknight dinner.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a splash of chicken broth or milk.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked chicken for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes until warmed through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes until warmed through. The coating may lose some crispiness.
- Make ahead: Prepare the chicken coating and seasonings ahead of time. Cook the chicken and make the sauce just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 25g
- Carbs: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Cholesterol: 120mg
- Sat. Fat: 14g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Crispy Parmesan Chicken with Garlic Cream Sauce FAQs
Prepare the chicken coating and seasonings ahead of time. Cook the chicken and make the sauce just before serving to maintain crispiness.
Overcooking is the most common reason for dry chicken. Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked to 165°F (74°C).
Yes, cook the chicken in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. Proceed with the sauce as directed.
Serve with a side of steamed vegetables, a crisp salad, or a side of garlic bread.
Using low-fat cream may result in a thinner sauce. For a thicker sauce, use heavy cream or add a cornstarch slurry to the sauce.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Crispy Parmesan Chicken with Garlic Cream Sauce and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
