Description
This Easy Cream Cheese Chicken recipe features tender chicken breasts cooked in a creamy, flavorful sauce made with cream cheese, garlic, and Italian seasonings. It’s a simple one-pan dish perfect for a quick, comforting meal that comes together in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 large chicken breasts, cut in half lengthwise
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Sauce
- 8 ounces cream cheese (a block of Philly), softened
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3/4 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Fresh chopped parsley, optional, to taste
Instructions
- Soften Cream Cheese: Microwave the cream cheese until very soft. Cut it into smaller pieces and set aside to make it easier to incorporate into the sauce later.
- Prepare Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts in half lengthwise to yield 4 thinner pieces. Season both sides of the chicken with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Cook Chicken: In a skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter and olive oil. When the pan is hot, add the chicken pieces and cook for about 5-6 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F). Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Sauté Onions: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the chopped onions to the skillet and sauté for 5-7 minutes until they are softened and lightly browned.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Make Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth, then add the softened cream cheese, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir continuously until the sauce is smooth and creamy, which may take a few minutes.
- Combine and Warm Through: Return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet and coat them with the sauce. Warm the chicken through in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash more chicken broth to thin it out.
- Finish and Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning with extra salt and pepper if needed. Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley if desired, and serve immediately for a rich, comforting meal.
Notes
- Make sure the chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F for safety.
- Softening the cream cheese before adding it to the sauce helps it melt smoothly without lumps.
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes according to your heat preference or omit for a milder dish.
- If you want a thicker sauce, allow it to simmer a bit longer; for thinner sauce, add more broth.
- Serve with rice, pasta, or steamed vegetables to complete the meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1 piece of chicken with sauce)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
