Description
This Easy Cream Cheese Chicken recipe features tender chicken breasts cooked in a creamy, flavorful sauce made with softened cream cheese, garlic, onions, and Italian seasonings. The dish is simple to prepare on the stovetop and perfect for a quick and comforting meal any night of the week.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 large chicken breasts
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt & pepper to taste
Sauce and Cooking
- 8 ounces cream cheese (a block of Philly), softened
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 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 it is very soft. Cut it into smaller pieces and set aside for later use in the sauce.
- Prepare Chicken: Slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise to create 4 thinner pieces. Season both sides with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Cook Chicken: Heat the butter and olive oil together in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken pieces and cook for 5-6 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and fully cooked with an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Sauté Onion: Reduce heat to medium and add chopped onions to the same skillet. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened and lightly browned.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Create Sauce: Pour in 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.
- Finish and Serve: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and warm it through in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a little more chicken broth to thin it. Adjust seasoning with extra salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired and serve immediately.
Notes
- Ensure chicken is fully cooked to 165°F to guarantee safety and tenderness.
- Soften cream cheese well for easier incorporation into the sauce.
- You can add more crushed red pepper flakes for extra heat or omit for a milder flavor.
- Serve with steamed vegetables, rice, or pasta for a complete meal.
- Leftover sauce can be stored in the refrigerator and gently reheated before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 370 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 460 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
