Silky Creamy Chicken Recipe: A Buttery Dream on Your Plate

Comfort comes alive with this irresistible creamy chicken recipe that promises pure culinary bliss.

Rich, velvety sauces wrap tender chicken pieces in a warm embrace of flavor.

Home cooks adore how quickly this dish comes together with minimal effort.

The secret lies in blending simple ingredients into a masterpiece that feels like a restaurant-quality meal.

Weeknight dinners just got a delicious upgrade with this crowd-pleasing classic.

creamy, satisfying, and packed with mouthwatering goodness, this recipe will become your new go-to meal that leaves everyone asking for seconds.

Cooking Tool for Making Creamy Chicken Simple

• Large 12-inch nonstick skillet: Perfect for searing chicken and creating a creamy sauce.
• Mixing bowl: Essential for whisking cream, broth, and pesto together smoothly.
• Whisk: Helps blend sauce ingredients without lumps.
• Cutting board: For prepping vegetables and chicken.
• Sharp knife: Needed to slice chicken and chop ingredients precisely.
• Measuring spoons: Ensures accurate seasoning and oil amounts.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and moving ingredients in the skillet.

How to Cook Creamy Chicken in One Pan

• Chicken Preparation

Select tender chicken strips and season with aromatic herbs and spices for maximum flavor.

• Skillet Searing

Create a golden exterior by cooking chicken in olive oil over medium heat until perfectly done.

• Vegetable Symphony

Sauté a colorful blend of onions, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and bell peppers to build a rich flavor foundation.

• Creamy Sauce Transformation

Whisk together a luxurious sauce combining cream, broth, and pesto, bringing depth and silkiness to the dish.

• Final Fusion

Reunite the cooked chicken with the vegetable medley, allowing the sauce to gently simmer and marry all flavors.

• Elegant Finish

Sprinkle freshly grated parmesan and delicate basil leaves to elevate the dish with a gourmet touch.

Ways to Customize the Cream Sauce & Sides

• Replace chicken with shrimp, turkey, or tofu for a different protein experience that keeps the recipe exciting and versatile.
• Experiment with zucchini, asparagus, or mushrooms to add extra nutrients and create a more colorful dish that suits your taste preferences.
• Substitute heavy cream with Greek yogurt or half-and-half to reduce calories while maintaining a creamy texture and rich flavor profile.
• Add red pepper flakes, cayenne, or hot sauce to introduce a zesty kick that transforms the recipe from mild to wild in seconds.
• Cook extra chicken and sauce, then store in airtight containers for up to 3 days, creating an effortless lunch or quick dinner option that saves time and energy.

Serving Creamy Chicken with Rice or Pasta

• Cozy Dinner Party Centerpiece: Serve this creamy chicken as the star of your next intimate gathering, surrounded by soft candlelight and good conversation.
• Mediterranean Plate Companion: Pair with warm crusty bread or herbed focaccia to soak up the rich, flavorful pesto sauce, creating a complete and satisfying meal.
• Healthy Meal Prep Option: Pack individual portions in sealed containers for a gourmet lunch that stays delicious and fresh, perfect for work or quick weekday meals.
• Elegant Side Dish Potential: Spoon over al dente pasta, fluffy quinoa, or creamy polenta to transform this recipe into a versatile and impressive main course with minimal extra effort.

How to Store Creamy Chicken Without Curdling

• Fridge Fresh Strategy: Store leftover creamy chicken in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, keeping the sauce and chicken together to maintain moisture and flavor integrity.
• Freezer Friendly Approach: Carefully pack meal portions in sealed freezer bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Frozen dishes remain delicious for 2-3 months when properly contained.
• Reheating Magic: Warm refrigerated chicken gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth to restore sauce consistency and prevent drying out chicken strips.
• Meal Prep Champion: Prepare chicken and sauce components separately during weekend cooking sessions, allowing quick assembly of meals throughout busy weekdays for effortless dining experiences.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 482 kcal

Servings: 5

Creamy Chicken: What’s Inside This Comfort Dish

• Chicken Strips: Lean and tender cut that absorbs flavors beautifully, choose fresh boneless skinless strips for quick and even cooking.
• Italian Seasoning: Aromatic herb blend that infuses chicken with classic Mediterranean warmth and depth.

• Heavy Cream: Luxurious dairy component that creates silky, rich texture and provides velvety consistency.
• Chicken Broth: Adds subtle depth and moisture, enhancing overall dish complexity.
• Pesto: Vibrant green sauce delivering intense herbaceous notes and authentic Italian character.
• Parmesan Cheese: Sharp, salty cheese that adds robust finish and delightful umami complexity.

• Onions: Foundational aromatic that builds flavor base with sweet undertones.
• Garlic: Pungent ingredient that provides intense, warming flavor profile.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Concentrated, tangy ingredient offering mediterranean sunshine and chewy texture.
• Bell Peppers: Colorful vegetable adding crisp texture and mild sweetness.
• Fresh Basil: Bright, fresh herb for garnishing with classic Italian fragrance.

• Olive Oil: High-quality fat for sautéing that imparts subtle fruity undertones.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasoning duo for balanced and enhanced flavor.

Velvety Chicken Recipe

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4.6 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Succulent creamy chicken combines tender meat with a luscious sauce that elevates home cooking to gourmet levels. Comfort meets elegance in this simple yet sophisticated dish you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
• 3 tbsps basil pesto
• ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
• ½ cup (120 ml) low sodium chicken broth
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) olive oil, divided
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 2 small bell peppers, cut into long thin strips (any color)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup (75 g) sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped
• ½ tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Chopped fresh basil, for garnish
• Grated parmesan, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Seasoning Preparation: Coat chicken strips with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, ensuring comprehensive flavor infusion.
2. Initial Searing: Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium flame, then golden-sear chicken strips until thoroughly cooked, approximately 7-8 minutes. Remove and set aside.
3. Aromatic Foundation: Sauté onions until translucent, then introduce minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes, allowing their intense flavors to develop.
4. Vegetable Integration: Add bell peppers, cooking until tender yet maintaining slight crispness, creating a vibrant vegetable base.
5. Sauce Creation: Whisk together heavy cream, chicken broth, and pesto in a separate bowl, then pour into the skillet, creating a rich, creamy sauce.
6. Final Composition: Return chicken to the skillet, allowing it to warm and absorb the sauce’s nuanced flavors. Simmer until the sauce thickens and develops a glossy consistency.
7. Finishing Touch: Garnish with freshly grated parmesan and delicate basil leaves, elevating the dish’s visual and flavor profile.

Notes

• Optimize Seasoning: Generously coat chicken with Italian herbs to maximize flavor penetration and ensure every bite bursts with taste.
• Manage Heat Carefully: Watch skillet temperature to prevent burning; golden-brown chicken signals perfect searing without drying out meat.
• Sauce Consistency Matters: Whisk cream and broth thoroughly to create smooth, lump-free sauce that clings beautifully to chicken and vegetables.
• Strategic Vegetable Layering: Sauté vegetables in order of cooking time to maintain crisp texture and prevent overcooking or mushy results.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 482
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 370mg
• Fat: 30g
• Saturated Fat: 12g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 13g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 36g
• Cholesterol: 121mg