✨ Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken 🧄🧀🍗

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Season the chicken: Pat the chicken dry and season with salt and pepper on both sides.
2. Sear: In a large skillet, melt 2 tbsp butter and olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken until golden brown on both sides (4–5 minutes per side). Remove and set aside.
3. Garlic base: Melt the remaining 1 tbsp butter in the same pan. Add garlic and sauté 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Make the sauce: Pour in chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits. Stir in heavy cream, Parmesan, and Italian seasoning. (Whisk in flour at this stage if you want the sauce thicker.)
5. Simmer with chicken: Return chicken to the pan, spoon sauce over the top, and simmer gently for 6–8 minutes until fully cooked (165°F internal temp).
6. Finish: Garnish with parsley or basil. Serve hot!

🍽️ What to Serve With It

• Over fettuccine or linguine for a creamy pasta dish.
• With garlic mashed potatoes and green beans for comfort food heaven.
• With rice pilaf or roasted veggies for a lighter dinner.

🔄 Variations & Add-Ins

• Spicy kick: Add ½ tsp red pepper flakes.
• Mushrooms: Sauté 1 cup mushrooms along with the garlic.
• Spinach: Stir in 2 cups fresh spinach at the end until wilted.
• Extra cheesy: Add shredded mozzarella for a gooier sauce.

💡 Pro Tips

✔️ Use freshly grated Parmesan for best melting and flavor (not the powdered kind).
✔️ Pound chicken breasts to an even thickness for faster, even cooking.
✔️ Don’t boil the sauce hard — simmer gently to keep it creamy and smooth.

❄️ Storage & Reheating

• Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container up to 3 days.
• Freezer: Sauce may separate if frozen, so not recommended.
• Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of cream or broth to loosen the sauce.

🤔 FAQs

Q: Can I use chicken thighs instead?
A: Yes! Boneless, skinless thighs work beautifully and stay extra juicy.

Q: Can I make it dairy-free?
A: Substitute coconut cream + nutritional yeast, but flavor will differ.

Q: Can I bake instead of pan-cooking?
A: Yes — sear chicken first, then bake at 375°F (190°C) in the sauce for 20 minutes.