Description
Succulent chicken nestles in a rich basil cream sauce, blending Italian-inspired flavors with creamy elegance. Dinner guests will savor each luxurious bite of this restaurant-quality meal that brings gourmet comfort to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 large boneless (skinless) chicken breasts
Breading and Coating:
- 3/4 cup dried Italian breadcrumbs
Sauce and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 275°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Carefully butterfly each chicken breast horizontally, creating four thin cutlets. Using a meat mallet, gently pound each cutlet to an even 1/2-inch thickness.
- Prepare two shallow dishes: one with milk and another with breadcrumbs. Thoroughly dunk each chicken cutlet in milk, then completely coat with breadcrumbs, ensuring full coverage.
- Heat butter in a large skillet over medium temperature. Sauté the breaded chicken cutlets until they develop a golden-brown exterior on both sides, approximately 3-4 minutes per side. Transfer the golden cutlets to the prepared baking dish.
- Place the chicken in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, ensuring the internal temperature reaches 165°F for safe consumption.
- In the same skillet, sauté minced garlic for 30 seconds. Pour chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the pan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat.
- Add heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Incorporate Parmesan cheese, fresh chopped basil, and black pepper. Continuously stir until the sauce thickens and becomes smooth, approximately 5 minutes.
- Remove chicken from the oven and generously drizzle with the aromatic basil cream sauce. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Use thin, evenly pounded chicken cutlets to ensure consistent cooking and prevent dry meat.
- Always check internal chicken temperature with a meat thermometer to guarantee safe consumption at 165°F (74°C).
- Consider using gluten-free breadcrumbs for those with wheat sensitivities, which work equally well for coating.
- Fresh basil provides superior flavor compared to dried herbs, transforming the sauce’s overall taste profile.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 702 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 729 mg
- Fat: 55 g
- Saturated Fat: 32 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 43 g
- Cholesterol: 167 mg