This Chicken in Basil Cream Sauce is a restaurant-quality dish that’s surprisingly easy to make at home. Tender, golden chicken cutlets are coated in a rich, velvety cream sauce infused with garlic, Parmesan, and fresh basil.
It’s the perfect balance of comfort and elegance—ideal for both busy weeknights and special occasions when you want something impressive without the effort.
⏱️ Recipe Info
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Category: Dinner / Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
- Difficulty: Easy
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick & easy: Ready in just 30 minutes
- Rich & creamy: Luxurious sauce without complicated steps
- Family-friendly: A dish everyone will enjoy
- Elegant presentation: Perfect for entertaining
🛒 Ingredients
🍗 Chicken Cutlets
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup milk
- 3/4 cup Italian breadcrumbs
- 3 tbsp butter
🥣 Basil Cream Sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
👩🍳 Instructions
🔥 Prepare the Chicken
- Preheat oven to 275°F (135°C) and grease a baking dish.
- Slice chicken breasts horizontally to create 4 cutlets.
- Pound to even thickness (about 1/2 inch).
- Dip each cutlet in milk, then coat with breadcrumbs.
- Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat.
- Cook chicken until golden on both sides.
- Transfer to baking dish and finish cooking in the oven for about 10 minutes, until fully cooked (165°F / 74°C).
🥣 Make the Basil Cream Sauce
- In the same skillet, sauté garlic for 30 seconds.
- Add chicken broth and bring to a boil, scraping up browned bits.
- Stir in cream and simmer briefly.
- Reduce heat and add Parmesan, basil, and pepper.
- Stir until the sauce thickens (about 5 minutes).
🍽️ Serve
- Remove chicken from oven.
- Spoon the basil cream sauce generously over each cutlet.
- Serve warm and enjoy.
💡 Tips
- Pound chicken evenly for tender, juicy results
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best texture
- Don’t overcook the sauce—keep it smooth and creamy
🔄 Variations
- Add spinach or sun-dried tomatoes to the sauce
- Use chicken thighs for extra juiciness
- Swap cream with half-and-half for a lighter version
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
- Serve with pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes
- Pair with roasted vegetables or a fresh salad
- Add crusty bread to soak up the sauce