Mozzarella Chicken in Basil Cream Sauce Recipe
This Mozzarella Chicken in Basil Cream Sauce is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender seared chicken breasts smothered in a rich, creamy basil-infused sauce loaded with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner, it pairs beautifully with pasta or mashed potatoes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing and Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Low Salt
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1½ teaspoons dried basil (or ¼ cup chopped fresh basil)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon butter
Instructions
- Season and Sear the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry to ensure proper browning. Generously season both sides with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then add the chicken breasts. Sear for 5–6 minutes per side until golden brown but not fully cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic for the Sauce: Reduce heat slightly in the same skillet and add butter. Once melted, add minced garlic and stir gently for about one minute until fragrant, releasing delicious aroma.
- Build the Basil Cream Sauce: Pour chicken broth into the skillet, bringing it to a gentle simmer while scraping up any browned bits from the pan. Stir in heavy cream and warm through. Add grated Parmesan and shredded mozzarella cheeses, stirring until fully melted and smooth. Incorporate the basil, either fresh or dried, for a fresh herb flavor.
- Finish with Chicken and Simmer: Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, turning them to coat in the creamy basil sauce. Simmer everything together over low heat for 10–12 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Serve and Enjoy: Plate the chicken hot and spoon generous amounts of basil cream sauce over the top. This dish pairs beautifully with angel hair pasta or creamy mashed potatoes to soak up every bit of sauce.
Notes
- For best flavor, use fresh basil if available, but dried basil works well too.
- Make sure not to overcook the chicken while searing as it will finish cooking in the sauce.
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, but it will be less rich.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the creamy texture; reheating may thicken the sauce further.
- Feel free to add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a subtle kick.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce (approx. 1/4 recipe)
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 430 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg
Keywords: Mozzarella chicken, basil cream sauce, creamy chicken recipe, Italian chicken dish, easy chicken dinner
