Basil Cream Chicken

The rich aroma of garlic-infused cream mingling with fresh, aromatic basil creates a truly mouthwatering experience when you prepare Basil Cream Chicken. This elegant yet simple dish transforms ordinary chicken breasts into a restaurant-quality meal that’s perfect for both weeknight dinners and special occasions. The velvety sauce clings beautifully to tender chicken, creating a perfect balance of flavors that will have everyone asking for seconds. You’ll learn how to create this creamy, herb-infused chicken dish that comes together in just about 30 minutes with minimal effort.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Basil Cream Chicken delivers an impressive flavor profile that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen, when in reality it comes together quickly with just a handful of ingredients. The combination of tender, juicy chicken and the silky cream sauce creates a delightful textural contrast that makes every bite satisfying.

The aromatic basil adds a fresh, slightly peppery note that perfectly balances the richness of the cream sauce. You’ll appreciate how the sauce reduces to a luxurious consistency that coats both the chicken and whatever side dish you choose to serve it with.

What makes this dish truly special is its versatility. It’s simple enough for a weeknight family dinner but elegant enough to serve guests at a dinner party. The creamy basil chicken recipe can be easily scaled up for larger gatherings or down for an intimate dinner for two.

Plus, it’s a one-pan wonder that minimizes cleanup while maximizing flavor – the pan drippings from searing the chicken become the foundation for the incredible sauce, ensuring not a drop of flavor goes to waste.

Ingredients

For this Basil Cream Chicken recipe, you’ll need:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs/680g)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
• 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
• ½ cup (120ml) chicken broth
• ½ cup (50g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped, plus extra for garnish
• 1 tablespoon butter
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

The heavy cream creates the velvety base for the sauce, while fresh basil is essential for the vibrant flavor that defines this dish. Use the best quality Parmesan you can find – it makes a noticeable difference in the final flavor and texture of the cream sauce. For chicken broth, homemade provides the best flavor, but a good quality store-bought low-sodium version works well too.

Pro Tips

Perfect Your Chicken Sear: For the most flavorful Basil Cream Chicken, don’t rush the searing process. Make sure your pan is properly heated before adding the chicken, and resist the urge to move the chicken too soon. Let it develop a golden-brown crust before flipping, usually 4-5 minutes per side. This creates the foundation of flavor for the entire dish.

Temperature Matters for Cream: When adding the cream to your hot pan, reduce the heat first to prevent the sauce from breaking. If the cream is straight from the refrigerator, let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before adding it to the pan. This small step makes a huge difference in achieving that silky-smooth basil cream sauce.

Basil Timing is Crucial: Add most of the fresh basil toward the end of cooking to preserve its bright flavor and color. If you add it too early, the heat will diminish both its vibrant green appearance and its distinctive taste. Reserve a small amount of fresh basil to sprinkle over the finished dish for an extra pop of flavor and a beautiful presentation.

Instructions

Step 1

Start by preparing the chicken breasts. Pat them dry with paper towels and season generously on both sides with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Drying the chicken ensures you’ll get a beautiful golden sear rather than steaming the meat.

Step 2

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the chicken breasts and sear until golden brown on both sides and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes per side depending on thickness. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). Remove the chicken to a plate and tent loosely with foil to keep warm.

Step 3

In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add the butter. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can become bitter – keep it moving in the pan.

Step 4

Pour in the chicken broth, using a wooden spoon to scrape up all the flavorful brown bits from the bottom of the pan. These bits contain concentrated chicken flavor that will enhance your Basil Cream Chicken sauce.

Step 5

Add the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and let the sauce reduce and thicken slightly, about 3-4 minutes. The cream should coat the back of a spoon when it’s reached the right consistency.

Step 6

Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until fully melted and incorporated. If you notice any clumping, lower the heat and whisk continuously until smooth.

Step 7

Add three-quarters of the chopped basil to the sauce, reserving the rest for garnish. Stir to incorporate and let it infuse for about 1 minute. Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.

Step 8

Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning the sauce over them. Let the chicken simmer in the sauce for 1-2 minutes to reheat and absorb some of the flavors.

Step 9

Serve your Basil Cream Chicken hot, garnished with the remaining fresh basil and additional Parmesan if desired. The contrast between the cream sauce and the fresh basil makes for both a beautiful presentation and a delicious flavor experience.

Variations

Sun-Dried Tomato Basil Chicken: Transform your Basil Cream Chicken by adding ⅓ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the sauce when you return the chicken to the pan. The sweet-tart flavor of the tomatoes complements the creamy basil sauce beautifully and adds a pop of color to the dish. This Mediterranean-inspired variation pairs wonderfully with pasta or crusty bread.

Lemon Basil Chicken: For a brighter, more citrusy version, add the zest of one lemon and 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice to the cream sauce. The acidity cuts through the richness of the cream and creates a lighter, more summery basil chicken dinner. This variation works especially well when served over zucchini noodles or with steamed asparagus.

Dairy-Free Basil Chicken: For those avoiding dairy, substitute the heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk and omit the Parmesan cheese. Add 1 tablespoon of nutritional yeast to achieve a cheesy flavor and 1 teaspoon of cornstarch slurry to help thicken the sauce. This version maintains the creamy texture while being completely dairy-free and still captures the essence of the original basil cream chicken recipe.

Storage and Serving

Basil Cream Chicken keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, do so gently over medium-low heat to prevent the cream sauce from separating. Add a splash of chicken broth or cream if the sauce has thickened too much during storage.

For freezing, it’s best to freeze the chicken and sauce separately. The sauce can become grainy when frozen and thawed due to the cream. If you must freeze the entire dish, use heavy cream with at least 36% fat content, which freezes more successfully.

Serve this creamy basil chicken over al dente pasta such as fettuccine or linguine, which provides the perfect vehicle for capturing the luscious sauce. For a lower-carb option, pair it with zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice.

For an elegant presentation, place the chicken on a bed of wilted spinach, drizzle with the cream sauce, and add a colorful side of roasted cherry tomatoes. The vibrant colors and complementary flavors make for a stunning and delicious meal.

FAQs

Can I use dried basil instead of fresh?
Fresh basil is strongly recommended for Basil Cream Chicken as it provides the vibrant flavor and aroma that defines this dish. However, in a pinch, you can substitute 1 tablespoon of dried basil for the 1 cup of fresh. Add it earlier in the cooking process, when you’re simmering the sauce, to allow it to rehydrate and release its flavors.

What can I substitute for heavy cream?
Half-and-half or whole milk can work, but the sauce won’t be as rich or thick. If using a lighter dairy product, whisk 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with the liquid before adding it to the pan to help thicken the sauce.

My sauce is too thin. How can I thicken it?
Simmer the sauce for a few additional minutes to reduce further. Alternatively, make a cornstarch slurry with 1 teaspoon cornstarch and 1 tablespoon cold water, then whisk into the simmering sauce.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, but it’s best enjoyed fresh. If making ahead, slightly undercook the chicken, then reheat gently in the sauce just before serving to prevent the chicken from becoming overcooked.

What sides pair well with this dish?
Beyond pasta, Basil Cream Chicken pairs beautifully with garlic mashed potatoes, steamed asparagus, roasted vegetables, or a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette to balance the richness of the cream sauce.

Conclusion

This Basil Cream Chicken is comfort food at its finest — luxuriously creamy with bright herbal notes that elevate an everyday protein to something truly special. It’s the kind of dish that makes weeknight cooking feel effortless while delivering restaurant-quality results. Whether you’re cooking for your family or hosting friends, this basil-infused chicken in cream sauce strikes the perfect balance between impressive and accessible. The combination of tender chicken and velvety sauce, fragrant with fresh basil, creates a meal that feels like a warm hug on a plate — satisfying, memorable, and absolutely delicious.

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