Looking for a delicious and easy-to-make meal that is perfect for any occasion? This Cream Cheese Chicken Skillet recipe is the answer! With its creamy and flavorful sauce, this dish is sure to become a family favorite in no time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
- The combination of cream cheese and Parmesan creates a rich and velvety sauce that coats the chicken perfectly.
- This recipe is quick to prepare, making it ideal for busy weeknights or meal prep for the week ahead.
Ingredient Notes:
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: The star of the dish, make sure to flatten them for even cooking.
- Cornstarch: Helps create a crispy coating on the chicken.
- Garlic powder and smoked sweet paprika: Add depth of flavor to the seasoned coating.
- Cream cheese: Provides a creamy and rich base for the sauce.
- Olive oil, unsalted butter, onion, garlic, chicken broth, Parmesan cheese, parsley, water, and soy sauce: Combine to create a flavorful and savory sauce.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Start by combining cornstarch, garlic powder, and smoked sweet paprika in a bowl to create a seasoned coating mixture.
- Gently flatten the chicken breasts and season with salt and pepper before coating them in the seasoned cornstarch mixture.
- Sear the chicken breasts in olive oil until golden brown, then set aside.
- In the same skillet, sauté onions and garlic in butter until fragrant.
- Deglaze the skillet with chicken broth and add cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, water, and soy sauce to create a creamy sauce.
- Return the chicken to the skillet and simmer until heated through.
- Garnish with parsley before serving.
Helpful Tips:
- For a thicker sauce, simmer for longer to allow it to reduce.
- Serve over pasta or rice for a complete meal.
- Feel free to add in your favorite veggies like spinach or mushrooms for extra flavor.
Expert Tips for the Best Results:
- Make sure to use low sodium chicken broth to control the saltiness of the dish.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor.
- Don’t overcook the chicken to keep it juicy and tender.
Serving Suggestions:
This Cream Cheese Chicken Skillet pairs well with a side of steamed vegetables or a simple green salad. For drinks, try a crisp white wine or a cold glass of lemonade.
Storage and Reheating Tips:
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm the dish in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth to maintain moisture.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I use bone-in chicken for this recipe?
- While boneless chicken breasts work best for this skillet recipe, you can use bone-in chicken thighs for a different flavor profile.
- Can I make this dish ahead of time?
- Yes, you can prepare the chicken and sauce ahead of time and assemble when ready to serve for a quick and easy meal.
- Can I freeze this Cream Cheese Chicken Skillet?
- It is not recommended to freeze this dish as the cream cheese sauce may separate when thawed.
Conclusion:
Now that you have all the tips and tricks for making this Cream Cheese Chicken Skillet, it’s time to get cooking! Whether it’s for a cozy dinner at home or a special occasion, this recipe is sure to impress. Give it a try and let us know how it turns out!
Print
Cream Cheese Chicken Skillet Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Cream Cheese Chicken Skillet Recipe is a creamy and flavorful dish that features seared chicken breasts smothered in a rich cream cheese sauce. It’s a quick and easy meal that’s perfect for a cozy dinner at home.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon smoked sweet paprika
- Kosher salt to taste
- Ground black pepper to taste
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup finely chopped onion
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
- ½ tablespoon water
- ½ to 1 tablespoon soy sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the seasoned coating: Combine cornstarch, garlic powder, and smoked sweet paprika in a small bowl.
- Tenderize the chicken: Flatten chicken breasts and season with salt and pepper. Coat with the seasoned cornstarch mixture.
- Sear the chicken: Cook chicken in olive oil until golden brown.
- Make the sauce: Sauté onions and garlic, then add chicken broth, cream cheese, and Parmesan cheese to create a creamy sauce.
- Simmer with chicken: Return chicken to the skillet, cover with sauce, and simmer until heated through.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with parsley before serving.
Notes
- Flattening the chicken helps tenderize the meat and ensures even cooking.
- The seasoned cornstarch coating seals moisture inside the chicken, keeping it juicy and tender.
- Ensure the chicken is fully cooked to an internal temperature of 165ºF to guarantee food safety.
- Avoid overcooking chicken to prevent dryness.
- If additional salt is needed, season after adding Parmesan cheese to avoid making the dish overly salty.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
