Introduction

This Mozzarella Chicken in Basil Cream Sauce is a rich and flavorful dish that combines tender chicken breasts with a creamy, herb-infused sauce. It’s a comforting meal perfect for weeknights or when you want to impress without much fuss.

Three pieces of browned chicken breast are placed on a white plate, each topped with a thick layer of pale yellow sauce speckled with chopped green herbs. The chicken has a crispy, golden-brown texture beneath the sauce, which pools around the base of the chicken halves. The background is a soft-focused kitchen setting with warm light coming through a window and a white marbled surface under the plate. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup shredded whole milk mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup chicken broth (low-sodium)
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves (chopped)
3 garlic cloves (minced)
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Step 1: Prep your ingredients by chopping the garlic and basil.
Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then cook them in the skillet until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes per side. Remove the chicken and set aside.
Step 3: In the same skillet, sauté the minced garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring well to combine.
Step 4: Stir in the Italian seasoning and chopped basil. Let the sauce simmer gently until it slightly thickens.
Step 5: Return the chicken to the skillet and top each breast with shredded mozzarella cheese. Cover the skillet and cook on low heat for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 6: Serve the chicken with the creamy basil sauce alongside pasta or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.

Tips & Variations

For an extra layer of flavor, marinate the chicken with a little lemon juice and garlic before cooking.
Swap mozzarella for provolone or fontina cheese if desired.
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a subtle kick.
Use fresh spinach or sun-dried tomatoes in the sauce to vary the texture and taste.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave, adding a splash of chicken broth or cream to loosen the sauce if it has thickened.

How to Serve

The image shows two cooked chicken breasts with golden-brown, crisp skins on top, sitting side by side in a white shallow bowl. Each chicken piece is covered with a creamy, pale yellow sauce that is thick and smooth, with freshly chopped green herbs sprinkled on the chicken and sauce. The sauce pools around the base of the chicken in the bowl. The background features a soft blur of kitchen elements with a white marbled surface below the bowl. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken breasts for this recipe?

Yes, but make sure to fully thaw the chicken before cooking to ensure even cooking and the best texture.

Is this dish gluten-free?

Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free as it uses no wheat-based ingredients. Just verify that your chicken broth is gluten-free.

Mozzarella Chicken in Basil Cream Sauce Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 80 reviews

This Mozzarella Chicken in Basil Cream Sauce is a rich and flavorful dish featuring tender, pan-seared chicken breasts smothered in a creamy basil-infused sauce with melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for a comforting dinner, it pairs beautifully with pasta or roasted vegetables.

Author: Isabella
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tbsp olive oil

Sauce

1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
1 cup shredded whole milk mozzarella cheese

Instructions

Prep Ingredients. Start by finely chopping the garlic cloves and fresh basil leaves so they are ready to incorporate into the sauce.
Cook Chicken. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Cook each side for 5-7 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Sauté Garlic. In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
Make Cream Sauce. Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring well. Add the Italian seasoning and chopped basil. Let the sauce simmer gently until it thickens slightly.
Combine and Melt Cheese. Return the chicken breasts to the skillet with the sauce. Top each breast evenly with shredded mozzarella cheese. Cover the skillet and cook on low heat for approximately 5 minutes until the cheese is completely melted and bubbly.
Serve. Plate the mozzarella chicken and spoon over the creamy basil sauce. Serve warm alongside your choice of pasta or roasted vegetables for a balanced meal.

Notes

For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half but the sauce will be less rich.
Using low-sodium chicken broth helps control the overall saltiness.
Fresh basil gives the dish vibrant flavor; dried basil can be used but reduce quantity to 1 tablespoon.
Covering the skillet when melting cheese helps it melt evenly without drying out the chicken.
Ensure chicken is cooked through with an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Keywords: mozzarella chicken, basil cream sauce, creamy chicken recipe, skillet chicken, Italian chicken dinner