Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 3 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- 4 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
Bouillon Mixture
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 beef bouillon cube (or 1 teaspoon Better Than Bouillon)
- 1 teaspoon low sodium soy sauce (can substitute Worcestershire sauce)
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 10 whole cloves garlic
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Prep Work: In a large measuring cup or bowl with a spout, combine chicken broth, beef bouillon cube, soy sauce, onion powder, dried thyme, and mustard powder. Set this mixture aside. On a plate, combine ⅓ cup flour with 4 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese. Measure out remaining ingredients so they are ready to use.
- Prepare the Chicken: Slice each chicken breast in half lengthwise to create 2-3 thinner slices. Lay them on a cutting board and cover with plastic wrap. Using the textured side of a meat mallet, pound the chicken slices to about ½ inch thickness. Pat them completely dry with paper towels to ensure a nice sear.
- Season and Dredge: Season both sides of each chicken slice generously with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Dredge each piece in the flour-Parmesan mixture, tapping off any excess flour to prevent clumping.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, sear the chicken slices in batches to avoid overcrowding. Cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until a golden-brown crust forms. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Make the Garlic Sauce: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium or medium-low and melt the butter. Use a silicone spatula to scrape and loosen any browned bits from the bottom of the pan – these add great flavor. Add the whole garlic cloves and cook gently for 6-7 minutes, allowing them to soften and caramelize slightly.
- Thicken the Sauce: Sprinkle 3 tablespoons flour over the garlic and butter mixture. Stir continuously and cook for 1-2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.
- Add the Broth Mixture: Slowly pour the prepared chicken broth mixture into the skillet in splashes, stirring continuously to prevent lumps. Stir well to combine.
- Finish the Sauce: Stir in the heavy cream, then raise the heat to bring the sauce to a gentle boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to low and gradually stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is creamy and smooth.
- Simmer the Chicken: Return the seared chicken slices along with any accumulated juices back to the skillet. Spoon sauce over the chicken, partially cover the skillet, and let it simmer gently for 5 minutes to meld flavors and ensure the chicken is heated through.
- Serve: Garnish the garlic chicken with freshly chopped parsley if desired. Serve hot alongside mashed potatoes and roasted green vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
- If you prefer a stronger garlic flavor, you can crush some of the cooked garlic cloves before adding the sauce.
- You may substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, but it may be less rich and creamy.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free flour and ensure the bouillon cube is gluten-free.
- To save time, prepare the broth mixture and dredging mixture before you start cooking.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days; reheat gently to avoid drying out the chicken.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American