Description
Cream Cheese Chicken with Garlic and Italian Herbs is a quick and comforting dinner recipe featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in a rich, creamy sauce made from cream cheese, garlic, and a fragrant blend of Italian herbs. Perfect for busy weeknights, it delivers a balance of savory and creamy flavors that’s family-friendly and versatile to pair with your favorite sides.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon Italian herb blend (oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary), divided
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth or white wine
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- Optional: 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and half of the Italian herb blend. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sear the chicken for about 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside to keep warm.
- Create the Flavorful Sauce: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté gently for about 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in chicken broth or white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits. Reduce the liquid slightly then lower the heat.
- Add Cream Cheese and Herbs: Stir in softened cream cheese until melted and smooth, forming a silky sauce. Add the remaining Italian herbs, adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, and sprinkle in the optional Parmesan cheese. Stir until well combined and creamy.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet. Spoon the garlic and herb cream cheese sauce over the chicken and let it simmer gently for a few minutes to meld the flavors together.
Notes
- Use room temperature cream cheese for smoother melting and a lump-free sauce.
- Cook chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F for juiciness and safety.
- Deglaze the pan thoroughly to incorporate flavorful browned bits into the sauce.
- Fresh herbs can be used instead of dried Italian herbs for a brighter flavor.
- If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of broth or cream to reach desired consistency.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing and Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 105mg