Tender pieces of chicken baked in a rich, creamy, garlicky sauce. This easy comfort-food recipe is perfect for a quick family dinner and pairs beautifully with rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lb (700 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- ½ cup (120 ml) chicken broth
- ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes, optional
- ½ tsp salt, or to taste
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella, optional
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cut the chicken into evenly sized pieces and season with paprika, Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. - Brown the chicken:
Heat the olive oil and butter in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for about 3–4 minutes per side, until lightly golden. The chicken does not need to be completely cooked at this stage. - Make the creamy sauce:
Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds. Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir well, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. - Add Parmesan:
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 2–3 minutes, until the sauce becomes creamy and slightly thickened. - Bake:
Add the chicken back into the sauce and make sure the pieces are well coated. Sprinkle mozzarella over the top if desired. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). - Finish and serve:
Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve immediately with pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or warm bread to soak up the creamy sauce.
💡 Tips
- For extra flavor, add a little garlic powder and smoked paprika to the chicken.
- Don’t boil the cream aggressively, as it can make the sauce separate.
- Add a splash of chicken broth if the sauce becomes too thick.
- For a richer flavor, use freshly grated Parmesan.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: Approximately 430 kcal per serving