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Chicken in Basil Cream Recipe

4.3 from 59 reviews

A creamy and flavorful chicken dish featuring a rich basil cream sauce that elevates tender, breaded chicken breasts. This recipe offers a delightful alternative to traditional fried chicken, combining savory pimentos, Parmesan cheese, and fresh basil for a comforting meal perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Coating

  • ¼ cup milk
  • ¼ cup dried bread crumbs
  • 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
  • 3 tablespoons butter

Sauce

  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 (4 ounce) jar sliced pimento peppers, drained
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Prepare Breading: Pour the milk into one shallow bowl and place the dried bread crumbs in a separate shallow bowl. This setup will allow for easy dipping and coating of the chicken.
  2. Coat the Chicken: Dip each chicken breast into the milk, ensuring it is thoroughly soaked, then transfer to the bread crumbs and coat evenly on all sides.
  3. Cook Chicken: In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the breaded chicken breasts and cook on each side until the juices run clear, about 10 minutes total. Remove the chicken from the skillet and keep warm.
  4. Make the Sauce Base: Pour the chicken broth into the same skillet and bring to a boil over medium heat. Stir the broth to scrape up any browned bits from the pan, which will add flavor to the sauce.
  5. Add Cream and Pimentos: Stir in the heavy whipping cream and drained sliced pimento peppers. Continue boiling and stirring the mixture for 1 minute to blend flavors.
  6. Finish the Sauce: Reduce the heat to low, then add the grated Parmesan cheese, chopped fresh basil, and ground black pepper. Stir the sauce and cook until everything is heated through and the cheese melts into the cream.
  7. Serve: Pour the creamy basil sauce over the cooked chicken breasts. Serve immediately to enjoy the full depth of flavors.

Notes

  • Use fresh basil for the best flavor; dried basil can be substituted but use less as it is more concentrated.
  • Ensure chicken is cooked through by checking that juices run clear or using a meat thermometer with an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
  • If you prefer a thicker sauce, allow the cream mixture to simmer a bit longer to reduce and thicken before adding cheese and basil.
  • This dish pairs well with steamed vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a light salad for a complete meal.

Keywords: Chicken in basil cream, creamy chicken recipe, chicken with cream sauce, easy chicken dinner, basil chicken, pimento chicken sauce