Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Gravy Recipe

This Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Gravy is comfort food perfection on a plate! Tender pieces of golden chicken nestled on a bed of cheesy mashed potatoes, all smothered in a rich, creamy garlic parmesan sauce that will have everyone scraping their plates clean. Ready in just 40 minutes, this impressive yet simple dish brings restaurant-quality flavor to your weeknight dinner table.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Chicken breasts or tenders: The star of the show! Pounding them to even thickness ensures they cook evenly and stay tender.
• Olive oil: Helps create that beautiful golden crust on the chicken without sticking to the pan.
• Paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper: This perfect seasoning blend adds depth of flavor to the chicken without overwhelming it.
• Butter: Creates the base for our sauce and adds richness throughout the dish.
• Garlic: Fresh minced garlic provides punchy flavor that dried simply can’t match. Don’t skimp here!
• Heavy cream: The foundation of our luscious sauce, creating the perfect silky texture.
• Green onions: Adds a fresh, mild onion flavor and beautiful color contrast.
• Red pepper flakes: Provides just enough heat to wake up your taste buds without overwhelming the dish.
• Parmesan cheese: Use freshly grated for the best melting and flavor.
• Lemon: That touch of acidity balances the richness of the cream and butter perfectly.
• Russet potatoes: Their starchy nature makes them ideal for fluffy, creamy mashed potatoes.
• Half and half: Creates silky smooth potatoes without being too heavy.
• Monterey Jack cheese: Adds incredible meltiness and flavor to the mashed potatoes.
• Garlic powder, salt, and pepper: Even the potatoes deserve perfect seasoning!

Variations

• Protein Swap: Try this with boneless chicken thighs for even more flavor and juiciness, or use pork tenderloin medallions for something different.
• Cheese Options: Swap the Monterey Jack in the potatoes for sharp cheddar, gruyere, or even blue cheese for a more complex flavor profile.
• Veggie Boost: Add sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes to the sauce for extra nutrition and flavor.
• Herb It Up: Fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or parsley make excellent additions to both the chicken seasoning and the finished sauce.

How to Make Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Gravy

Step 1: Prep the Ingredients

Pound chicken to an even 1/4 inch thickness, then cut into 2-3″ pieces. Rub with olive oil on all sides, then season well with the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper mixture. Let the chicken rest at room temperature for 10-15 minutes to remove the chill while you prep the potatoes.

Step 2: Prepare the Potatoes

Peel the potatoes and cut them into quarters. Soak them in cold water for 10 minutes to remove excess starch, which helps achieve fluffier mashed potatoes. Drain, then place in a pot of generously salted water and bring to a boil.

Step 3: Cook the Chicken

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the seasoned chicken pieces in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Let them cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes until golden brown on the bottom. Flip just once and cook another minute, then reduce heat to low and continue cooking for 2 more minutes until cooked through.

Step 4: Create the Garlic Butter Base

Add 3 tablespoons of butter and 1 tablespoon of minced garlic to the pan with the chicken. As the butter melts, toss the chicken to coat all sides, cooking for another minute until the garlic becomes fragrant. Remove the chicken to a bowl and tent with foil to keep warm and moist.

Step 5: Make the Cream Sauce

In the same pan with the remaining butter and garlic, add 2 more tablespoons of butter and the remaining minced garlic. Sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Slowly whisk in the heavy cream, scraping up all the flavorful bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a simmer and let reduce for 3-5 minutes.

Step 6: Finish the Potatoes

While the sauce reduces, drain the fork-tender potatoes and return them to the pot. Add the warmed half and half and melted butter, then mash until smooth. Mix in the Monterey Jack cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until creamy and completely combined.

Step 7: Complete the Sauce and Serve

Stir the red pepper flakes and green onions into the simmering cream sauce, then add the parmesan cheese. Whisk until the sauce thickens slightly, then remove from heat and stir in the fresh lemon juice. Serve by plating a generous scoop of cheesy mashed potatoes, topping with chicken pieces, and spooning the garlic parmesan gravy over everything.

How to Serve

Perfect Pairings

This rich dish pairs beautifully with something light and green on the side. Try roasted asparagus, a simple side salad with vinaigrette, or steamed broccoli.

Bread Options

A crusty piece of garlic bread or warm dinner rolls are perfect for sopping up any extra sauce left on your plate.

Wine Suggestion

A buttery Chardonnay or light Pinot Noir complements the creamy garlic flavors wonderfully.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store the chicken, sauce, and potatoes separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Freezing

While the chicken can be frozen for up to 3 months, the cream sauce and mashed potatoes don’t freeze well due to their dairy content, which can separate upon thawing.

Reheating

For best results, reheat the chicken and potatoes in a 325°F oven, covered with foil. Warm the sauce gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of cream if needed to bring back its silky consistency.

FAQs

Can I use boneless chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Boneless chicken thighs work beautifully in this recipe and often stay more tender and juicy. You may need to adjust cooking time slightly as thighs can take a bit longer to cook through, but the flavor will be fantastic.

How can I make this recipe lighter?
While this is definitely an indulgent dish, you can make some swaps to lighten it up. Try using half-and-half instead of heavy cream in the sauce, reduce the butter by half, and use milk instead of half-and-half in the potatoes. The dish won’t be quite as rich but will still be delicious.

What can I substitute for the Monterey Jack cheese?
Any good melting cheese works well in the mashed potatoes. Try mozzarella for a milder flavor, pepper jack for a spicy kick, or a mixed Italian cheese blend. Even cream cheese makes a delicious substitution for a tangier flavor profile.

My sauce separated or curdled. What happened?
This usually happens when the heat is too high or when lemon juice is added to hot cream too quickly. To fix a broken sauce, try removing it from the heat and whisking vigorously. You can also blend it smooth with an immersion blender, or start a new roux (butter and flour) and slowly whisk in the broken sauce.

This Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Gravy recipe transforms simple ingredients into a meal that feels special enough for company yet easy enough for weeknights. The combination of tender chicken, creamy potatoes, and that incredible garlic parmesan sauce creates a dinner that will quickly become a requested favorite in your home. Don’t be surprised when your family starts asking for it by name—this is comfort food elevated to new heights!

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