Get ready to fall in love with Creamy Parmesan Chicken! Tender seared chicken bathed in a creamy garlic parmesan sauce that's rich, dreamy, and begging to be soaked up with pasta, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread. This isn't just dinner-it's comfort on a plate 🍽️✨
Quick Look: Creamy Parmesan Chicken
- ⏱ Prep Time: 15 minutes
- 🔥 Cook Time: 15 minutes
- 🍽️ Servings: 4
- ❤️ Why you'll love this recipe: Creamy Parmesan Chicken delivers tender chicken and a luscious creamy garlic parmesan sauce that's perfect on its own - but it also doubles beautifully as creamy parmesan chicken pasta if you want to add noodles.
- 🍪 Main Ingredients: Chicken, garlic, cream, parmesan.
- 👌 Difficulty: Easy
Summarize & Save this Content on
Creamy Parmesan Chicken Sauce is silky, flavorful, and perfect for spooning over mashed potatoes or rice - and if you're in the mood for creamy parmesan chicken pasta, simply toss it with your favorite noodles and dinner instantly transforms into a comforting pasta dish.
Why You'll Love this Recipe?
✅ Ready in 30 minutes
✅ One pot (hello, easy cleanup!)
✅ Creamy parmesan sauce that's rich but not heavy
✅ A hit with kids and adults and impressive enough for entertaining.
And if you love one-pot chicken crowd-pleasers, Be sure to check out my one-pot chicken pot pie, old-fashioned chicken and rice casserole, or my chicken and dumplings in a slow cooker.
👩🍳 Key Ingredients
- Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs both work.
- Butter + Olive Oil: A combo adds flavor and keeps things golden without burning.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic adds depth to the creamy parmesan sauce. Use a garlic press for quick prep!
- White wine, cognac, brandy, or Marsala wine: acid helps any cream dish, be balanced. You can also use the Marsala for my Chicken Marsala Recipe.
- Heavy Cream: This is what makes that dreamy creamy parmesan sauce so luscious. No cream? See swaps below.
- Parmesan Cheese: The star! Use freshly grated parmesan for the best texture and melt.
Substitutions and Additions
Got picky eaters? Or a fridge that needs cleaning out? This dish is flexible. Here's how to swap or add to your creamy parmesan chicken:
- Dairy Swaps: You can use half-and-half or even full-fat milk with a tablespoon of cream cheese for richness. Just know the sauce might be a little thinner. Also, don't let the half-and-half or milk come to a boil as it could break. You won't have to worry about it if you use heavy cream.
- Cheese Variations: Asiago, pecorino romano, or even a mild white cheddar can replace some or all of the parmesan if that's what you've got.
- Protein Options: Swap chicken for turkey cutlets or pork chops. Want to make it vegetarian? Try this creamy parmesan sauce over Portobello mushrooms, gnocchi, or cauliflower steaks.
- Add Veggies: Throw in spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms, or steamed broccoli toward the end. The creamy parmesan sauce plays nice with just about everything.
- Make it spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne or a drizzle of hot sauce at the end.
How to Make Creamy Parmesan Chicken
You're about 30 minutes from cheesy, creamy, one-pan happiness.
- Season and Sear Chicken
Heat oil and butter a large pan or skillet over medium-high heat and cook chicken breasts until cooked.
- Deglaze with Wine Add wine to deglaze the pan. (Scrape up all the brown bits....that's flavor)
- Add Cream
Add heavy cream and stir.
- Add Parmesan and Simmer
Return chicken to the skillet and simmer for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese and extra herbs if desired.
- Serve
Serve as is, or serve creamy Parmesan and chicken on pasta.
⭐️ Expert Tip
Lower the heat and slowly pour in the cream while stirring continuously so it blends smoothly into the pan and keeps the cream from curdling.
✅ Creamy Parmesan Chicken FAQ
Freshly grated Parmesan Reggiano melts more smoothly and gives the creamy Parmesan sauce the best flavor. Pre-shredded parmesan can work, but it may not melt as silky.
This sauce begs to be mopped up, so something carb-y is your friend. I personally love creamy Parmesan chicken pasta- Chicken on a bed of pasta coated with a little butter. Or, garlic bread, or even creamy polenta. A crisp green salad balances the richness.
Yes, use chicken stock or water instead of the wine.
If the creamy parmesan sauce thickens too much, add a splash of chicken broth or cream and stir gently over low heat until it loosens. And if it's too thin, just let it simmer longer or add more cheese.
And be sure to check out these other Comfort Dishes!
If you make this Creamy Parmesan chicken, I'd love to know! Leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram @Lauren_Lane_Culinarian - I always reshare your creations.
Baked Chicken Fingers Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 egg
- 2 ½ tablespoon mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoon flour
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ½ tablespoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- pepper
- olive oil spray
- 1 ½ cups Panko breadcrumbs -toasted
- 1 ¼ lb chicken tenderloins or breast cut into ¾″ thick slices, lengthwise
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F
- Toast panko - Spread panko on a large frying pan, spray with oil, then toast on medium heat, stirring occasionally until light golden. Transfer to bowl.
- Place a rack on a baking tray (optional, but bottoms get crispier).
- Make batter - Combine 1 egg, mayonnaise, flour, parmesan, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl and whisk with a fork until combined.
- Add the chicken to the batter and toss to coat.
- Dredge - Using tongs, place the chicken into the bowl of panko. Press gently so the crumbs stick, flip the chicken tender, and press again to coat the other side. Transfer to the baking sheet and repeat with the remaining chicken.
- Spray & bake - Spray with oil, sprinkle with salt. Bake 15 minutes for average-sized tenders (a little longer for extra large ones), or until chicken reaches 165 degrees or cooked through.
- Serve - Remove from oven and serve immediately. Serve with sauces and garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
Lauren Lane says
I hope you love this as much as my family does. So easy one pot does it get any better than that?