Parmesan Crusted Chicken with Creamy Garlic Sauce Recipe
A delicious Parmesan Crusted Chicken recipe featuring crispy, golden chicken breasts coated with a Parmesan and panko breadcrumb crust, cooked in a skillet, and served with a rich, creamy garlic sauce infused with Italian seasoning and optional spinach.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 small–medium chicken breasts (or 2 large, halved)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Crust Mixture
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
Garlic Cream Sauce
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup light cream or heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning or oregano
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 cup spinach, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Generously season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides to enhance flavor throughout the meat.
- Prepare the Crust: In a shallow dish, combine ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese with ½ cup panko breadcrumbs. Mix well to ensure an even coating.
- Coat the Chicken: Lightly press the Parmesan and breadcrumb mixture onto both sides of each chicken breast to create a crust that will crisp during cooking.
- Heat the Skillet: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil, allowing it to heat until shimmering but not smoking.
- Sear the Chicken: Add the coated chicken breasts to the hot skillet and sear for about 3–4 minutes per side, creating a golden and crispy crust while cooking the chicken through.
- Lower the Heat: Reduce the heat to medium-low to gently cook the sauce without burning the garlic or crust.
- Sauté the Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, taking care not to burn it to preserve its delicate flavor.
- Create the Cream Sauce: Pour in the cream and sprinkle the Italian seasoning or oregano into the skillet. Stir well to combine and begin smoothing out the sauce.
- Add Spinach (Optional): If using spinach, stir it into the sauce now and allow it to wilt, adding a fresh vegetal note and color to the dish.
- Thicken the Sauce: Stir in the remaining ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, letting the sauce thicken slightly and become rich and creamy before serving.
Notes
- Use light cream for a lighter sauce or heavy cream for a richer, thicker sauce.
- Ensure the skillet is hot enough before searing chicken to get a crispy crust.
- Spinach is optional but adds a nice color contrast and nutrients.
- Serve immediately for the best texture of the crust and sauce.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a squeeze of lemon juice to the sauce before serving.
Keywords: Parmesan crusted chicken, creamy garlic sauce, skillet chicken, Italian chicken recipe, panko crust chicken