Parmesan Crusted Chicken with Creamy Garlic Sauce is the kind of dish that instantly upgrades any weeknight dinner. Crispy, golden-brown chicken meets a velvety garlic cream sauce, packed with herbs, Parmesan, and optional spinach. It’s rich, comforting, and comes together in just 25 minutes—perfect for family dinners, date nights, or impressive meal prep.
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Dish
Crispy Outside, Juicy Inside: Parmesan and panko create the perfect crust.
Garlicky Cream Sauce: Creamy, cheesy, and loaded with flavor.
Fast & Flavorful: Done in 25 minutes with simple ingredients.
Customizable: Add spinach or spice it up with red pepper flakes.
One-Pan Meal: Easy to clean, easier to love.
Time Needed
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 4 small–medium chicken breasts (or 2 large, halved)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
For the Crispy Coating
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
For the Creamy Garlic Sauce
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup light or heavy cream
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning or oregano
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup chopped spinach (optional)
How to Make Parmesan Crusted Chicken with Garlic Sauce
1️⃣ Prep the Chicken
Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
2️⃣ Coat the Chicken
In a shallow dish, combine Parmesan and panko. Press the coating evenly onto both sides of each chicken breast.
3️⃣ Sear the Chicken
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high. Sear chicken 3–4 minutes per side until golden and crispy.
4️⃣ Make the Sauce
Lower heat to medium-low. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in cream and Italian seasoning. Add spinach now if using, and let it wilt. Mix in Parmesan cheese and simmer until sauce thickens slightly.
5️⃣ Finish Cooking
Cover the skillet and cook chicken for an additional 8–10 minutes, until internal temp reaches 165°F.
6️⃣ Serve & Enjoy
Plate chicken and spoon creamy garlic sauce generously over the top.
Notes & Tips
- Extra Crisp: Use fresh Parmesan and don’t overcrowd the pan.
- Spicy Version: Add red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Best Flavor: Freshly grated Parmesan gives superior taste.
Nutrition Info (Per Serving – Approximate)
Calories: 480
Protein: 42g
Fat: 32g
Saturated Fat: 14g
Carbohydrates: 4g
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 1g
Sodium: 550mg
Cholesterol: 115mg
Final Thoughts
This Parmesan Crusted Chicken with Creamy Garlic Sauce is rich, comforting, and easy to prepare. With crispy golden chicken and a luscious garlic-Parmesan sauce, it’s a go-to dish for any night of the week. Pair it with pasta, mashed potatoes, or veggies for a complete and unforgettable meal.
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Parmesan Crusted Chicken with Creamy Garlic Sauce
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Parmesan Crusted Chicken with Creamy Garlic Sauce combines crispy, golden chicken with a rich, garlicky cream sauce. It’s fast, flavorful, and weeknight-friendly.
Ingredients
- For the Chicken:
- 4 small–medium chicken breasts (or 2 large, halved)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- For the Crispy Coating:
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- For the Creamy Garlic Sauce:
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup light or heavy cream
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning or oregano
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup chopped spinach (optional)
Instructions
- Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
- Mix Parmesan and panko in a shallow dish. Press onto chicken to coat both sides.
- Heat olive oil in skillet over medium-high. Sear chicken 3–4 min per side until golden.
- Lower heat to medium-low. Add garlic and sauté 1 min. Stir in cream and seasoning. Add spinach to wilt if using. Stir in Parmesan and simmer to thicken.
- Cover and cook chicken another 8–10 min until internal temp hits 165°F.
- Serve chicken with sauce spooned over top.
Notes
Use fresh Parmesan for best results. Add red pepper flakes to sauce for spice. Don’t overcrowd skillet for crispiness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
Keywords: parmesan crusted chicken, garlic cream sauce, crispy chicken dinner, one-pan chicken recipe