Mozzarella Chicken in Basil Cream Sauce Recipe
Mozzarella Chicken in Basil Cream Sauce is a rich and creamy dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked to perfection, smothered in a fragrant basil-infused cream sauce, and topped with melted mozzarella cheese for a delightful Italian-inspired meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Topping
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt and black pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for about 5-7 minutes on each side or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Make the Basil Cream Sauce: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream and add chopped fresh basil leaves. Stir well and let the sauce simmer for 3-5 minutes until slightly thickened. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine and Melt Cheese: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning some sauce over each piece. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly on top of the chicken. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Carefully transfer the mozzarella chicken with basil cream sauce to plates. Garnish with additional basil if desired and serve immediately for a delicious, comforting meal.
Notes
- Use fresh basil for the best flavor, but dried basil can be substituted in a pinch (reduce quantity by half).
- For a lighter version, you can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, though the sauce will be less rich.
- If you prefer, bake the assembled chicken and sauce under a broiler for 2-3 minutes instead of covering the skillet to melt the mozzarella.
- Serve with a side of steamed vegetables, pasta, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
Keywords: Mozzarella Chicken, Basil Cream Sauce, Italian Chicken Recipe, Creamy Chicken, Easy Dinner
