Description
Creamy Chicken That Tastes Better the Next Day is a comforting meal. Learn my secrets for this easy, flavorful dish that’s even better as leftovers!
Ingredients
Scale
- Main Ingredients:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 large), sliced horizontally into cutlets
- 1.5 cups chicken broth, low sodium
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Flavor Boosters:
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- 2–3 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1/2 tsp dried)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Essential Thickeners:
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (or 1 tbsp cornstarch for gluten-free option)
- Finishing Touches:
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prep & Sear the Chicken:: Okay, first things first, pat those chicken breasts super dry with paper towels. This is crucial for a good sear, trust me! Slice them in half horizontally to make thinner cutlets – they cook faster and absorb more flavor. Season generously with salt and pepper. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once it’s shimmering, add the chicken and sear for about 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown. Don’t overcrowd the pan, you might need to do this in batches. I used to rush this part and end up with sad, steamed chicken, oops! Remove the chicken and set it aside on a plate; it won’t be fully cooked yet, and that’s totally fine.
- Sauté Aromatics:: Reduce the heat to medium. Add a little more olive oil to the skillet if needed. Toss in your chopped yellow onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until it softens and turns translucent, about 5-7 minutes. You want it sweet and fragrant, not burnt, so keep an eye on it! Then, add the minced garlic and dried Italian seasoning. Cook for just 1 minute more, until the garlic is fragrant – don’t let it burn, that’s a mistake I’ve made too many times, and nobody wants bitter garlic! The smell at this stage? Divine, seriously. It’s the start of something wonderful.
- Deglaze the Pan:: Pour about a quarter cup of chicken broth into the skillet. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up all those lovely browned bits from the bottom of the pan – that’s called fond, and it’s pure flavor gold, people! This step is so satisfying, watching all that goodness release into the broth. It’s where the magic really starts to happen for this Creamy Chicken That Tastes Better the Next Day.
- Whisk in Flour & Liquids:: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the onion and garlic mixture. Stir it well for about a minute, letting it cook out that raw flour taste. This creates a roux, which will thicken our sauce. Gradually whisk in the remaining chicken broth, a little at a time, making sure there are no lumps. Then, add the fresh thyme sprigs (if using). Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring constantly until it starts to thicken slightly. I always try to whisk vigorously here, otherwise, I end up with little flour balls, which is a total bummer.
- Simmer the Sauce & Return Chicken:: Once the sauce has thickened a bit, carefully return the seared chicken cutlets (and any juices that accumulated on the plate) to the skillet. Make sure the chicken is nestled into the sauce. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender. The chicken will finish cooking and soak up all those amazing flavors. This is where the dish really starts to come together, and you’ll notice the sauce getting richer, honestly.
- Finish with Cream & Garnish:: Remove the thyme sprigs. Stir in the heavy cream. Let it gently warm through for just 2-3 minutes; don’t boil it after adding the cream, or it might curdle (a mistake I learned the hard way!). Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings if needed – a little more salt or pepper can make all the difference. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh chopped parsley and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese. This Creamy Chicken That Tastes Better the Next Day is ready for its close-up, smelling absolutely incredible!