Description
This Melt In Your Mouth Chicken Breast recipe transforms bland poultry into an incredibly tender and juicy dish. It’s simple to prepare and perfect for both weeknight dinners and special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Cream cheese (softened to room temperature)
- Low-sodium chicken broth
- 3–4 cloves of freshly minced garlic
- Fresh lemon juice
- Dried Italian seasoning
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Take your boneless, skinless chicken breasts and place them one at a time between two pieces of plastic wrap or in a large resealable bag. Using a meat mallet or a rolling pin, pound them evenly to about 1/2-inch thickness. Pat them dry with paper towels and season generously on both sides with salt and black pepper.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add about 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Once the oil shimmers, carefully place the seasoned chicken breasts in the hot pan. Sear them for 3-4 minutes per side until they’re golden brown and lightly caramelized. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Reduce the heat to medium. If the pan looks dry, add another teaspoon of olive oil. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for about 30-60 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
- Build the Creamy Sauce: Pour the chicken broth into the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring the broth to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low, then add the softened cream cheese to the simmering broth. Whisk constantly until the cream cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Season the Sauce: Stir in your dried Italian seasoning and a good pinch more of salt and pepper. Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Simmer the Chicken: Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the creamy sauce. Cover the skillet and let the chicken gently simmer in the sauce for 8-12 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and registers an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Finish and Serve: Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the fresh lemon juice. If using fresh herbs, sprinkle them in. Let the chicken rest in the sauce for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
Pounding the chicken breasts to an even thickness ensures they cook quickly and uniformly. Use an instant-read thermometer to avoid overcooking, and let the chicken rest after cooking to keep it moist.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Searing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg