Irresistible Mozzarella Chicken in Basil Cream Sauce Recipe
This Irresistible Mozzarella Chicken in Basil Cream Sauce recipe features tender, golden-browned chicken breasts smothered in a rich, creamy sauce infused with fresh basil, garlic, and mozzarella cheese. Perfectly cooked in a skillet on the stovetop, it’s a comforting and flavorful meal that pairs wonderfully 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
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (low-sodium)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 1 cup shredded whole milk mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Prep ingredients: Chop the garlic cloves finely and chop the fresh basil leaves. This ensures your sauce will have even flavor distribution.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts liberally with salt and pepper. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté garlic and prepare sauce: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add the minced garlic. Sauté for about 30 seconds or until fragrant, taking care not to burn it. Then add the heavy cream and low-sodium chicken broth, stirring everything together to combine.
- Season and thicken sauce: Stir in the Italian seasoning and chopped fresh basil. Let the sauce simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly and the flavors meld, about 3-5 minutes.
- Finish with chicken and cheese: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the chicken. Cover the skillet and cook on low heat for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and become bubbly.
- Serve: Serve the mozzarella chicken hot, spooning extra basil cream sauce over the top. This dish pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a mixture of milk and cream.
- You can add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a slight kick.
- Fresh mozzarella can be used instead of shredded for a gooier texture, but it may require additional melting time.
- Make sure not to overcook the chicken to keep it juicy and tender.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Keywords: mozzarella chicken, basil cream sauce, creamy chicken recipe, stovetop chicken, Italian chicken dish, easy chicken dinner
