Mozzarella Chicken in Basil Cream Sauce (Printable Format)

Tender chicken breasts topped with melted mozzarella in a rich, aromatic basil cream sauce. A restaurant-worthy meal that's surprisingly quick and simple to make at home.

# What You'll Gather:

→ For the Chicken

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (halved to make 4 cutlets)
02 - ½ teaspoon salt
03 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
04 - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
05 - ½ teaspoon paprika
06 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
07 - 1 tablespoon butter
08 - 4 slices fresh mozzarella cheese

→ For the Basil Cream Sauce

09 - 1 cup heavy cream
10 - ½ cup chicken broth
11 - 3 cloves garlic (minced)
12 - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
13 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
14 - ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
15 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
16 - ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
17 - ¼ cup fresh basil (chopped)

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - If needed, slice each chicken breast horizontally to create two thinner cutlets. Season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
02 - Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for about 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp of 165°F). If your chicken is thick, it may take a bit longer.
03 - Once the chicken is cooked, place a slice of fresh mozzarella on top of each piece. Cover the pan with a lid and lower the heat. Let it sit for about a minute until the cheese is melty. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
04 - In the same skillet (don't clean it!), add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until it's fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth and use a wooden spoon to scrape up all those tasty browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
05 - Pour in the heavy cream, then add the Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Let this mixture simmer gently for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally as it thickens.
06 - Stir in the chopped fresh basil and let it cook for another minute to release its flavor into the sauce.
07 - Return the chicken and any collected juices to the skillet, spooning some of the sauce over each piece. Let everything simmer together for another 2-3 minutes so the flavors can meld.
08 - Serve the chicken over pasta, rice, or with some crusty bread on the side to soak up all that delicious sauce!

# Important Tips:

01 - If you prefer a thicker sauce, let it simmer longer or add a cornstarch slurry (1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water).
02 - Try adding sun-dried tomatoes or sautéed mushrooms to the sauce for extra flavor and texture.
03 - While fresh basil gives the best flavor, you can substitute with 1 teaspoon dried basil if necessary.
04 - This dish pairs perfectly with fettuccine, linguine, or even mashed potatoes.

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