Print

Cream Cheese Chicken with Garlic and Italian Herbs

Cream Cheese Chicken with Garlic and Italian Herbs

Cream Cheese Chicken with Garlic and Italian Herbs is a cozy and creamy dinner featuring tender chicken breasts smothered in a luscious garlic and Italian herb-infused cream cheese sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, this flavorful dish is perfect for busy weeknights or weekend treats, delivering rich, herby, and comforting flavors in every bite. Serve it over pasta, rice, or veggies for a satisfying meal everyone will love.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 4 chicken breasts, tender and lean
  • Salt, to taste
  • Pepper, to taste
  • 12 teaspoons Italian herb seasoning (basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary blend)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Sauce

  • 4 oz cream cheese, cubed (room temperature)
  • 3 garlic cloves, freshly minced
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional but recommended)
  • Additional Italian herbs, a pinch for sauce

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts generously with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken on each side until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per side depending on thickness. Once done, transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
  2. Sauté Garlic and Build the Sauce: Lower heat to medium and add minced garlic to the same skillet. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not burned. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer, scraping the bottom of the pan to lift any flavorful browned bits and enrich the sauce.
  3. Add Cream Cheese and Herbs: Add cubed cream cheese and a few more Italian herbs to the skillet. Stir continuously until the cream cheese melts smoothly into the broth, creating a thick, silky sauce. If using, stir in the Parmesan cheese here as well.
  4. Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the chicken breasts to the skillet and spoon the creamy sauce over them. Simmer everything together for a few more minutes to allow the chicken to absorb the garlic and herb flavors.
  5. Serve and Enjoy: Garnish with fresh herbs or extra Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve your Cream Cheese Chicken with Garlic and Italian Herbs hot, paired with your favorite sides for a comforting meal.

Notes

  • Use room temperature cream cheese to ensure it melts smoothly without lumps.
  • Don’t overcrowd the pan when searing chicken; cook in batches if necessary for an even golden crust.
  • Fresh Italian herbs provide a brighter, fresher flavor compared to dried herbs.
  • Add chicken broth gradually to control the sauce thickness and avoid it becoming too thin or too thick.
  • Allow cooked chicken to rest briefly before slicing to retain juiciness.

Nutrition

Keywords: cream cheese chicken, garlic chicken, Italian herbs chicken, creamy chicken recipe, quick chicken dinner, weeknight chicken