Mozzarella Chicken in Basil Cream Sauce Recipe
Mozzarella Chicken in Basil Cream Sauce is a rich and comforting dish featuring tender, golden-brown chicken breasts simmered in a creamy basil-infused sauce, topped with melted mozzarella cheese. Ideal for an elegant yet easy-to-make dinner, this recipe combines fresh herbs, garlic, and Italian seasoning for a flavorful meal that pairs well with pasta or roasted vegetables.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded whole milk mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (low-sodium)
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Prep Ingredients: Chop the garlic cloves finely and chop the fresh basil leaves. This ensures they release maximum flavor during cooking.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt and pepper. Place them in the hot skillet and cook until golden brown on each side, about 5-7 minutes per side, ensuring they are cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic and Prepare Sauce: Using the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds or until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Then add the heavy cream and low-sodium chicken broth, stirring well to combine.
- Add Herbs and Simmer: Stir in the Italian seasoning and chopped basil leaves. Reduce the heat and simmer the sauce until it thickens slightly, which should take a few minutes.
- Combine Chicken and Cheese: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly on top of the chicken. Cover the skillet and cook on low heat for approximately 5 minutes or until the cheese has melted and the flavors have melded together.
- Serve: Serve the mozzarella chicken in basil cream sauce immediately, pairing it with pasta or roasted vegetables for a well-rounded meal.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, but the sauce will be less rich.
- You can add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a slight kick of heat.
- Fresh basil can be substituted with dried basil if fresh is not available; use about 1 tablespoon dried basil.
- Ensure the chicken breasts are pounded to even thickness for even cooking.
- Chicken broth should be low-sodium to better control the saltiness of the dish.
Keywords: mozzarella chicken, basil cream sauce, creamy chicken recipe, Italian chicken dish, stovetop chicken recipe
