If you’re dreaming of a dish that wraps comfort, bold flavor, and a touch of elegance into one skillet, you’re going to fall in love with Garlic Parmesan Chicken. This classic restaurant-quality meal is surprisingly easy to make at home—garlicky, cheesy, and perfectly seasoned chicken served in a rich, creamy sauce. Whether you’re impressing guests or simply craving a weeknight treat, this irresistible chicken promises to steal the show.

Garlic Parmesan Chicken Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Garlic Parmesan Chicken lies in its simple, everyday ingredients—each one plays a starring role in creating layers of flavor, velvety texture, and golden color. Don’t skip or skimp; every element truly matters!

Chicken broth: Lends savory depth and forms the backbone of the creamy sauce.
Heavy cream: Adds rich, luscious texture to make the sauce utterly irresistible.
Worcestershire sauce: Brings a subtle tang and rounding sweetness to the sauce.
Mustard powder: A hint of earthy warmth that balances the creaminess.
Honey: Touch of sweetness enhances the chicken’s natural flavors.
Chicken bouillon cube: Boosts umami and intensifies the savory taste.
Onion powder, oregano, basil, parsley: This dried herb blend infuses aromatic undertones and freshness.
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: The tender, juicy protein star of the show.
Salt and pepper: Crucial for proper seasoning and bringing all flavors to life.
Fresh parsley: Brightens up the finished dish and adds a pop of color.
Olive oil: Helps sear the chicken to golden perfection without drying it out.
Dry white wine: Deglazes the pan and deepens the flavor of the sauce—choose a wine you’d enjoy drinking!
Garlic (minced): The heart of this dish, infusing warmth and aromatic flavor.
Butter: Adds luxurious richness and helps create a velvety sauce base.
Flour: Thickens the sauce for that perfect, clinging consistency.
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese: The hero ingredient—nutty, salty, and utterly crave-worthy.
Fresh lemon juice: A final burst of acidity to balance the creamy richness.

How to Make Garlic Parmesan Chicken

Step 1: Mix the Sauce Ingredients

Begin by whisking together your sauce ingredients—chicken broth, heavy cream, Worcestershire sauce, mustard powder, honey, chicken bouillon cube, and all your dried herbs. Mix them in a large measuring cup with a spout to make pouring extra easy later. This step sets you up for silky-smooth sauce success!

Step 2: Prep and Pound the Chicken

Slice your chicken breasts in half lengthwise to create sturdier, thinner cutlets (no more dry or unevenly cooked meat!). Place each piece between sheets of plastic wrap and give them a few satisfying whacks with the textured side of a meat mallet until they’re about half an inch thick. You’re creating the perfect, quick-cooking canvas for all those delicious flavors.

Step 3: Season the Chicken

Sprinkle both sides of your chicken liberally with salt, pepper, and a dusting of fresh parsley. This step ensures even flavor in every bite and gives the chicken a gorgeous speckled finish.

Step 4: Sear the Chicken

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Work in batches so you don’t crowd the pan, searing each piece for 4–5 minutes per side until a deep golden crust forms. This caramelization locks in juiciness and adds tons of flavor. Set the chicken aside while you build the sauce.

Step 5: Deglaze the Pan and Cook the Garlic

Turn off the heat before pouring in the wine. Once it’s in, set the heat to medium and use a silicone spatula to scrape up all those lovely browned bits (the “fond”) from the bottom and sides of the skillet—think of it as flavor gold. Let the wine come to a gentle bubble and reduce for 2 minutes, then add the minced garlic and continue to cook for another 2–3 minutes, letting the liquid bubble away until it’s reduced by half.

Step 6: Build the Roux

Add the butter and flour, stirring until smooth and combined. Let it cook for 1–2 minutes to gently toast the flour and eliminate any raw taste. This roux is what creates the creamy, dreamy body of your Garlic Parmesan Chicken sauce.

Step 7: Create the Creamy Sauce

Pour in your sauce mixture from step 1, adding it gradually while stirring constantly. Bring the sauce up to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for about 8 minutes, allowing all the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken beautifully.

Step 8: Add Parmesan and Lemon Juice

With the heat on low, sprinkle in the freshly grated Parmesan a bit at a time, stirring all the while to ensure a silk-smooth, melty finish. Add the squeeze of lemon juice for a pop of brightness that wakes up the whole dish.

Step 9: Finish Cooking the Chicken

Nestle the seared chicken pieces back into the pan, spooning the sauce over the top. Let everything simmer together for about 5 minutes, so the chicken heats through and soaks up every drop of flavor. When you see that gorgeous, thick sauce coating the chicken, you’re ready for dinner bliss!

How to Serve Garlic Parmesan Chicken

Garnishes

A sprinkle of fresh parsley over the top is simply magical—it adds color, freshness, and an herbaceous note. For an extra finish, shave a bit more Parmesan cheese over each serving right at the table, creating restaurant-style drama and indulgence.

Side Dishes

Garlic Parmesan Chicken absolutely begs for buttery mashed potatoes or creamy polenta to soak up all that irresistible sauce. Roasted vegetables like asparagus or broccoli round out the meal with satisfying contrast, and a crisp green salad keeps things light and balanced.

Creative Ways to Present

Try slicing the chicken and fanning it over a bed of pasta for an eye-catching centerpiece, or serve in small cast-iron skillets for a rustic, bistro-style vibe. You can even turn leftovers into an epic sandwich or wrap, drizzled with extra sauce!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Place cooled Garlic Parmesan Chicken in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3–4 days. Store sauce and chicken together so the flavors continue to mingle, making leftovers even more scrumptious.

Freezing

This dish freezes beautifully! Arrange the chicken and sauce in a freezer-safe container, removing as much air as possible. Label and store for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best results.

Reheating

To keep everything moist, reheat gently over low heat on the stovetop, adding a splash of broth or cream if the sauce has thickened too much. Microwave in short bursts, covered, stirring to distribute heat evenly and prevent overcooking.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Boneless, skinless thighs work just as well and will be even juicier. Just adjust the cooking time slightly since thighs may take a bit longer.

What’s the best substitute for white wine?

If you’d rather skip wine, simply replace it with an equal amount of extra chicken broth. Add a splash of lemon juice for the nice acidity wine provides.

Can I make Garlic Parmesan Chicken gluten free?

Yes! Swap the flour for a gluten-free all-purpose blend or use cornstarch (mixed with a little water to create a slurry) to thicken the sauce.

What kind of Parmesan should I use?

Always reach for freshly grated Parmesan rather than the pre-shredded or powdered stuff—real Parmigiano-Reggiano will make the sauce creamy and melt beautifully.

Can I prep parts of this dish ahead of time?

You can! Mix the sauce ingredients and pound the chicken in advance. Store separate in the fridge until ready to cook—the final sear and sauce assembly are best done fresh for maximum flavor.

Final Thoughts

If you’re on the hunt for a satisfying, crowd-pleasing dinner, Garlic Parmesan Chicken is your new go-to. Every forkful is creamy, garlicky, cheesy heaven—and best of all, it’s totally doable in your own kitchen. Give it a try this week (and let the rave reviews roll in)!

Garlic Parmesan Chicken Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 21 reviews

Author: Mariam
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Gluten Free

Print Recipe

Description

Tender chicken breasts smothered in a creamy garlic Parmesan sauce, this dish is a flavor-packed delight. It’s perfect for a special dinner or a cozy family meal.

Instructions

Prepare the Sauce: Combine the sauce ingredients in a large measuring cup and set aside.
Pound the Chicken: Slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise, then pound to ½ inch thickness.
Season the Chicken: Season with salt, pepper, and parsley.
Sear the Chicken: Sear the chicken in olive oil until golden. Set aside.
Deglaze the Pan: Add wine, scrape up browned bits, add garlic, and reduce.
Make the Sauce: Add butter, flour, and sauce mixture. Simmer and reduce.
Finish the Sauce: Stir in Parmesan cheese and lemon juice.
Combine and Serve: Return chicken to the sauce, heat through, and serve with garnishes.

Notes

For the best flavor, use a dry white wine like Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc.
Adjust the thickness of the sauce by simmering to your preference.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 480
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 860mg
Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: 13g
Unsaturated Fat: 9g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 15g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 42g
Cholesterol: 145mg

Keywords: Garlic Parmesan Chicken, Creamy Chicken Recipe, Chicken in Parmesan Sauce