Description
This Easy Cream Cheese Chicken recipe features tender chicken breasts cooked in a creamy, flavorful sauce made from cream cheese, garlic, and Italian seasonings. It’s a quick and satisfying stovetop meal perfect for busy weeknights, delivering a smooth, rich sauce that perfectly complements the savory chicken.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 large chicken breasts
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt & pepper to taste
Sauce and Cooking
- 8 ounces cream cheese (a block of Philly), softened
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3/4 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Fresh chopped parsley, optional, to taste
Instructions
- Soften the cream cheese: Microwave the cream cheese until very soft. Cut it into smaller pieces and set aside until needed to ensure it melts smoothly into the sauce.
- Prepare the chicken: Slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise to make four thinner pieces. Season both sides with garlic powder, salt, and pepper for flavor.
- Cook the chicken: Heat butter and olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken pieces and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Remove the chicken and set aside on a plate.
- Sauté the onions: Lower the heat to medium and add chopped onions to the skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes until softened and lightly browned, which develops sweetness and depth.
- Add garlic and deglaze: Stir in minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Then add the chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the skillet to lift all flavorful bits.
- Make the cream cheese sauce: Add the softened cream cheese, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir continuously until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy, which may take a few minutes.
- Reheat chicken and finalize: Return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet, spoon the sauce over them, and warm through for a few minutes. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash more chicken broth to reach desired consistency. Adjust seasoning with extra salt and pepper if needed. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired and serve immediately.
Notes
- To ensure even cooking, pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness before slicing if preferred.
- Use full-fat cream cheese for the creamiest sauce; low-fat versions may alter texture.
- Feel free to add mushrooms or spinach for extra vegetables in the sauce.
- Check internal chicken temperature with a meat thermometer to avoid undercooking.
- Serve with rice, pasta, or steamed vegetables to complete the meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1 chicken breast with sauce)
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
