Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (1.5–2 lbs)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed), chopped
- 2 tablespoons sun-dried tomato oil from jar
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Extra parmesan for serving
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels.
- Pound to even thickness if thicker than 1 inch.
- Season both sides with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sear chicken 5-6 minutes until golden-brown.
- Flip and sear second side 4-5 minutes.
- Transfer chicken to plate.
- Reduce heat to medium, add sun-dried tomato oil.
- Add garlic and red pepper flakes, stir 30-60 seconds.
- Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes, stir 1 minute.
- Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth.
- Scrape up browned bits from pan bottom.
- Add thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Bring to gentle simmer, reduce to medium-low.
- Simmer 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Remove from heat temporarily.
- Stir in parmesan cheese until melted smoothly.
- Stir in butter until melted.
- Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Return to medium-low heat.
- Nestle chicken into sauce.
- Simmer gently 8-10 minutes, spooning sauce over chicken.
- Check chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) internal temperature.
- Remove from heat, stir in lemon juice and basil.
- Serve with extra parmesan.
Notes
- Pound chicken to even thickness for uniform cooking
- Pat chicken dry for best sear
- Don’t skip searing – creates flavorful fond
- Remove from heat before adding parmesan to prevent graininess
- Use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes for best flavor
- Red pepper flakes add warmth balancing richness
- Lemon juice brightens rich cream sauce
- Fresh basil essential for authentic flavor
- Sauce thickens as it cools
- Freezing not recommended for cream sauces
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: One Pot Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1 chicken breast with sauce)
- Calories: 525 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 685 mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 165mg