Description
This Easy Cream Cheese Chicken recipe features tender, pan-seared chicken breasts smothered in a creamy, flavorful sauce made with cream cheese, garlic, onion, and Italian seasoning. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a comforting and simple dish perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 large chicken breasts
- 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
- Prep the Cream Cheese: Microwave the cream cheese until it becomes very soft. Cut it into smaller pieces and set aside until needed to help it melt smoothly into the sauce.
- Prepare the Chicken: Cut each chicken breast in half lengthwise to create 4 thinner pieces. Season all sides evenly with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Cook the Chicken: In a skillet, melt the butter and olive oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken pieces and cook for 5-6 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
- Sauté the Onions: Reduce the skillet heat to medium and add the chopped onions. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until the onions are softened and lightly browned, which enhances their sweetness and flavor.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant to build a deeper flavor base for the sauce.
- Create the Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth, then add the softened cream cheese, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir continuously until the cream cheese melts and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy, which may take a few minutes.
- Combine and Finish: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the sauce. Warm the chicken through, allowing it to soak up the flavors. If the sauce is too thick, thin it with a little more chicken broth. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired, then serve immediately.
Notes
- Make sure to fully soften the cream cheese to avoid lumps in your sauce.
- Using thinner chicken pieces helps them cook evenly and faster.
- The crushed red pepper flakes add a subtle heat, but you can adjust the amount to your preference or skip it for a milder dish.
- For a lower-fat version, use reduced-fat cream cheese and less butter.
- Serve with rice, noodles, or steamed vegetables for a balanced meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
