Heavenly Chicken In Basil Cream Sauce Recipe for Cozy Nights

Creamy chicken nestled in a luscious basil cream sauce promises pure comfort on your dinner plate.

Fragrant herbs dance alongside tender meat, creating a symphony of flavors that feels like a warm culinary embrace.

Fresh ingredients blend seamlessly, turning an ordinary meal into something extraordinary.

Skillful cooking techniques unlock rich, velvety textures that make every bite memorable.

Home cooks can easily master this elegant dish without complicated steps or hard-to-find ingredients.

Perfectly balanced and surprisingly simple, this recipe will become your new go-to for impressing guests or enjoying a delightful weeknight dinner.

Let’s jump right in and transform your kitchen into a gourmet haven.

Why People Enjoy Chicken In Basil Cream Sauce

• Create Restaurant-Quality Magic: Transform your kitchen into a gourmet experience with this sophisticated chicken dish that tastes like it's straight from a high-end restaurant.
• Master Simple Culinary Techniques: Learn professional searing methods and sauce-making skills that boost your cooking confidence and impress family and friends.
• One-Pan Wonder: Minimize cleanup with this streamlined recipe that uses a single skillet for cooking chicken and creating a luxurious cream sauce, making dinner preparation a breeze.
• Customize with Ease: Adapt the recipe by switching proteins or adding vegetables, making it versatile for different taste preferences and dietary needs.

What Goes Into Chicken In Basil Cream Sauce

• Chicken Breasts: A lean protein that serves as the main star of the dish, providing a tender and juicy base for the flavorful sauce.

• Salt, Black Pepper, Red Pepper Flakes: A blend of seasonings that adds depth, heat, and enhances the overall flavor profile of the chicken.

• Olive Oil: A cooking fat that helps create a golden brown exterior on the chicken and provides a subtle, rich undertone.
• Garlic: A pungent ingredient that adds aromatic depth and complexity to the sauce.
• White Wine: A liquid that helps deglaze the pan and adds a subtle acidic note to the sauce.
• Butter: A rich ingredient that contributes to the smooth and creamy texture of the sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Creates a luxurious, velvety base for the sauce.
• Fresh Basil Leaves: A fragrant herb that provides a bright, fresh flavor to the dish.
• Parmesan Cheese: A salty, umami-rich ingredient that helps thicken and enrich the sauce.

How To Make Chicken In Basil Cream Sauce

Step 1: Sear Golden Chicken Breasts

• Salt
• Black pepper
• Red pepper flakes

Step 2: Create Sizzling Skillet Base

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers and looks hot. Carefully place chicken breasts into the skillet.

Step 3: Cook Chicken To Perfection

Sear chicken for 5-6 minutes on each side until a beautiful golden-brown crust develops. Ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove chicken and keep warm on a plate covered with foil.

Step 4: Develop Flavor Foundation

Reduce skillet heat to medium. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until wonderfully aromatic.

Step 5: Create Luxurious Cream Sauce

• Butter
• Heavy cream

Stir continuously to create a smooth, velvety sauce.

Step 6: Enhance Sauce With Herbs

• Fresh basil leaves
• Grated parmesan cheese

Continue stirring until sauce becomes thick and glossy.

Step 7: Combine Chicken And Sauce

Return chicken to the skillet, coating each piece generously with the fragrant basil cream sauce. Simmer for 2-3 minutes to blend flavors and reheat chicken.

Step 8: Final Presentation

Transfer chicken to serving plates. Drizzle extra sauce over the top. Optional: Garnish with additional fresh basil leaves for a pop of color and flavor.

Helpful Tips For Chicken In Basil Cream Sauce

• Seal in Moisture: Pat chicken breasts completely dry before seasoning to ensure a golden, crispy exterior that locks in juices.
• Control Heat Perfectly: Use a meat thermometer to check internal chicken temperature, aiming precisely at 165°F for safe, tender meat.
• Deglaze Like a Pro: Scrape browned bits from the skillet when adding wine to capture maximum flavor depth and complexity.
• Transform Sauce Texture: Whisk continuously while adding cream and butter to prevent separation and create a silky, smooth basil cream sauce.
• Balance Flavors Smartly: Add fresh basil leaves at the end of cooking to preserve their bright, aromatic qualities and prevent bitterness.

Tasty Twists On Chicken In Basil Cream Sauce

• Mediterranean Herb Infusion: Replace basil with a mix of oregano, thyme, and rosemary for a robust Mediterranean flavor profile.
• Spicy Cajun Style: Add Cajun seasoning to the chicken and incorporate cayenne pepper into the cream sauce for a fiery southern kick.
• Mushroom Enriched Version: Sauté sliced cremini or shiitake mushrooms in the skillet before creating the cream sauce, adding depth and earthy undertones.
• Sun-Dried Tomato Boost: Chop sun-dried tomatoes and fold them into the cream sauce, providing a tangy and sweet complexity to the dish.

Best Pairings For Chicken In Basil Cream Sauce

• Savor Crisp Chardonnay Companion: Select a buttery, medium-bodied Chardonnay with light oak notes that harmonizes perfectly with the creamy basil sauce, complementing the chicken's rich flavors without overpowering the delicate herb essence.
• Pair with Roasted Garlic Parmesan Asparagus: Roast crisp asparagus spears with parmesan and garlic to mirror the recipe's ingredients, creating a side dish that enhances the chicken's herbal and creamy profile while adding textural contrast.
• Serve with Crusty Artisan Bread: Choose a rustic, crusty Italian-style bread to soak up the luxurious basil cream sauce, allowing diners to enjoy every last drop of the velvety, herb-infused liquid.

How To Keep Chicken In Basil Cream Sauce Fresh

• Store chicken in basil cream sauce in an airtight container for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Ensure container is sealed tightly to prevent moisture loss and maintain flavor integrity.
• Transfer cooled chicken and sauce to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Label with date and contents, storing up to 2 months for best quality. Avoid freezing for extended periods to prevent texture degradation.
• Thaw refrigerated or frozen chicken in the refrigerator overnight. Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of cream or chicken broth to restore sauce's original consistency. Stir frequently to prevent scorching and ensure even heating.
• Separate chicken and sauce into individual serving sizes before storing.

Common Questions About Chicken In Basil Cream Sauce

• Can I use dried basil instead of fresh basil?

Fresh basil provides the best flavor and aroma, but if unavailable, use half the amount of dried basil. The dried version won’t be as vibrant but will still add a nice herbal note to the sauce.

• What type of white wine works best for this recipe?

A dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio is ideal. These wines add depth without overpowering the delicate basil cream sauce and complement the chicken’s flavor.

• How can I ensure my chicken doesn't become dry?

Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove the chicken from heat immediately after reaching this temperature and let it rest briefly to retain moisture.

Chicken In Basil Cream Sauce Recipe

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4.9 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy chicken basil sauce brings Italian culinary magic to dinner tables with bold Mediterranean flavors. Luxurious ingredients blend seamlessly, promising a quick elegant meal you will savor from first delicious bite to last.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 chicken breasts
• 1 cup fresh basil leaves
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 cloves garlic

Seasoning:

• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

Cooking Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup white wine
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese

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Instructions

1. Prepare the chicken breasts by patting them dry with paper towels and seasoning thoroughly with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering and hot.
3. Sear chicken breasts for 5-6 minutes on each side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F, creating a crispy exterior.
4. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside, keeping warm on a plate tented with foil.
5. Reduce heat to medium and add minced garlic to the same skillet, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
6. Pour white wine into the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan to enhance flavor.
7. Add butter and heavy cream, stirring continuously to create a smooth, rich sauce.
8. Incorporate freshly chopped basil leaves and grated parmesan cheese, whisking until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
9. Return chicken to the skillet, coating each piece generously with the basil cream sauce.
10. Simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes to allow flavors to meld and ensure chicken is heated through.
11. Plate the chicken and drizzle extra sauce over the top, garnishing with additional fresh basil leaves if desired.

Notes

• Pat chicken breasts completely dry before seasoning to achieve a perfect golden-brown sear without steaming.
• Choose fresh, high-quality basil leaves for the most vibrant and aromatic flavor in the cream sauce.
• Use a meat thermometer to precisely check chicken’s internal temperature, preventing overcooking and ensuring juicy results.
• For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or Greek yogurt, reducing overall calorie content while maintaining creamy texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 30g
• Saturated Fat: 15g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 5g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 35g
• Cholesterol: 110mg