Description
Cream Cheese Chicken is a creamy, flavorful dish featuring tender seared chicken breasts simmered in a luscious cream cheese and garlic sauce. This quick and easy recipe is perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner and is garnished with fresh chives or parsley for a touch of color and freshness.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Paprika, to taste
Sauce & Garnish
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- Chopped chives or parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels to ensure a good sear. Season both sides evenly with salt, pepper, and paprika to add flavor.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat the olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken breasts in the skillet and cook for 5 to 7 minutes per side until they are golden brown and cooked through. Once done, remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: Reduce the heat to medium. If needed, add a little more oil or butter to the skillet. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
- Prepare the Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth, using a spoon or spatula to scrape up any browned bits stuck to the skillet. Add the softened cream cheese and stir continuously until the cream cheese melts completely and combines with the broth, forming a smooth, creamy sauce.
- Simmer Chicken in Sauce: Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet. Spoon the creamy sauce over the chicken, cover the skillet, and let it simmer on low heat for 5 to 7 minutes. This step allows the chicken to soak up the flavors and become tender.
- Garnish and Serve: Once the chicken is cooked and the sauce has thickened slightly, garnish with chopped chives or parsley if desired. Serve the creamy chicken warm for a comforting meal.
Notes
- For best results, use room temperature cream cheese to ensure it melts smoothly into the sauce.
- You can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth for a lighter flavor.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with steamed vegetables, rice, or mashed potatoes.
- Adjust spices according to your taste preference, and add a pinch of cayenne for a spicy kick.
- Ensure not to overcook the chicken to keep it juicy and tender.
