Chicken in Basil Cream Sauce Flavorful Dinner Recipe

by Emily on September 12, 2025

Are you ready to elevate your dinner game? This Chicken in Basil Cream Sauce recipe combines tender chicken and a rich, creamy sauce, packed with fresh basil flavor. It’s simple to make and perfect for any night of the week. Whether you want a cozy family meal or a dish to impress guests, this recipe delivers. Let’s dive into the ingredients and get started on this delicious journey together!

$- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts - 1 tablespoon olive oil - 3 cloves garlic, minced - 1 cup heavy cream - 1 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped - 1 tablespoon lemon juice - 1 teaspoon salt - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for heat) - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese - Cooked pasta or rice (for serving) You can swap chicken breasts for thighs. They add richer flavor. Use coconut milk instead of heavy cream for a lighter option. If you don’t have fresh basil, use 2 teaspoons of dried basil. For a dairy-free version, try nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese. When measuring basil, pack the leaves for a stronger taste. If you use a liquid measuring cup for cream, pour slowly to avoid spills. A kitchen scale can help if you want precise weights. For lemon juice, roll the lemon on the counter to get more juice out. {{ingredient_image_1}} First, grab a large skillet. Heat one tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Place the four chicken breasts in the skillet. Season them with one teaspoon of salt, half a teaspoon of black pepper, and red pepper flakes if you like some heat. Cook the chicken for about five to seven minutes on each side. Look for a nice golden brown color. Make sure the chicken is cooked through. Once done, take the chicken out and set it aside. In the same skillet, add three minced garlic cloves. Sauté them for about one minute until they smell great. Next, pour in one cup of heavy cream. Bring it to a gentle simmer. Stir in one cup of chopped fresh basil leaves, one tablespoon of lemon juice, and a quarter cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Mix well and let it simmer for three to four minutes. You want the sauce to thicken a little. Now, return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Coat the chicken in the creamy basil sauce. Cook it for two to three more minutes to heat everything through. This step packs flavor into the chicken. Serve the chicken over cooked pasta or rice. Don’t forget to spoon some extra sauce on top! To cook chicken perfectly, start with even-sized pieces. This helps them cook evenly. I recommend using boneless, skinless chicken breasts. They stay juicy and tender. Season the chicken well with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken for about 5-7 minutes on each side. Look for a golden-brown color. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. The internal temperature should reach 165°F. This ensures your chicken is safe and delicious. A creamy basil sauce should be smooth and rich. Start by sautéing garlic in the same skillet. This adds flavor to the sauce. When you pour in the heavy cream, bring it to a gentle simmer. Stir often to prevent burning. Add chopped basil and lemon juice to enhance the taste. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of chicken broth or pasta water. If it’s too thin, let it simmer longer. The sauce will thicken as the cheese melts in. Aim for a velvety texture that clings to the chicken. Presentation matters when serving chicken in basil cream sauce. Serve it over a bed of cooked pasta or rice. This adds color and texture to your plate. Spoon extra sauce over the chicken for a tasty touch. Garnish with fresh basil leaves for a pop of color. A sprinkle of Parmesan cheese adds a nice finishing touch. For a zesty kick, add lemon wedges on the side. This dish looks beautiful and tastes even better! Pro Tips Use Fresh Basil: Fresh basil adds a vibrant flavor to the dish. If you can, use it instead of dried basil for the best results. Adjust Creaminess: If you prefer a lighter sauce, you can substitute half of the heavy cream with chicken broth for a delicious balance. Perfectly Cooked Chicken: Use a meat thermometer to ensure your chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) for safety and moisture. Garnishing Ideas: For an extra pop of flavor, consider garnishing your dish with toasted pine nuts or a drizzle of balsamic reduction. {{image_2}} You can add vegetables to this dish for more taste. Try adding spinach, tomatoes, or bell peppers. These veggies pair well with the creamy sauce. Just sauté them in the skillet before adding the cream. They add color and nutrition. You can also use zucchini or asparagus for a fresh twist. If you want a change from chicken, swap in shrimp or tofu. Shrimp cooks quickly and adds a seafood touch. Tofu is a great plant-based option. Just make sure to press the tofu to remove extra water. This way, it absorbs the sauce better. Both options work well with the creamy basil flavor. To change the heat level, play with spices. If you like it spicy, add more red pepper flakes. For a milder dish, skip the flakes. You can also use a pinch of cayenne pepper for extra heat. Alternatively, adding a touch of smoked paprika gives a nice flavor without much heat. Customize it to suit your taste! To store leftovers, let the chicken cool down first. Place the chicken and sauce in an airtight container. This keeps it fresh longer. You can store it in the fridge for up to three days. Be sure to cover it well to prevent drying out. When you want to reheat, use a skillet. Heat it over medium-low heat. Add the chicken with sauce and warm it gently. Stir often to avoid burning. You can also microwave it. Place it in a microwave-safe dish and cover it. Heat in short bursts until it's hot. Always check the center is warm. To freeze the dish, let it cool completely. Transfer the chicken and sauce to a freezer-safe container. Seal it tightly to prevent freezer burn. It can last up to three months in the freezer. When ready to eat, thaw it overnight in the fridge. Then, reheat as above before serving. Yes, you can use dried basil. It will change the flavor a bit. Use about one teaspoon of dried basil for every tablespoon of fresh. Dried herbs are stronger, so start small. Add it to the cream sauce early, so it has time to soften. Fresh basil gives a bright taste, but dried works in a pinch. This dish pairs well with pasta or rice. These sides soak up the creamy sauce. You can also serve it with a fresh salad. Garlic bread is a nice touch too. Roasted veggies add crunch and color. Choose sides that balance the creamy sauce for a full meal. Chicken in Basil Cream Sauce lasts about three to four days in the fridge. Store it in an airtight container to keep it fresh. If you want to enjoy it later, make sure to reheat it well. Just heat it on low to avoid drying it out. This post covered the key ingredients, cooking steps, and tips for a delicious Chicken in Basil Cream Sauce. I shared ways to swap ingredients and enhance flavor with optional veggies or proteins. You also learned how to store and reheat leftovers. My final thought: with simple steps and a few tweaks, you can make this dish your own. Enjoy cooking and sharing this tasty meal with others!$

Why I Love This Recipe

Easy to Prepare: This recipe requires minimal ingredients and simple steps, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Rich and Creamy Flavor: The combination of heavy cream, fresh basil, and Parmesan creates a luscious sauce that elevates the chicken.
Customizable: You can easily adjust the spice level by adding or omitting red pepper flakes, or even incorporate vegetables for added nutrition.
Perfect for Meal Prep: This dish stores well and tastes even better the next day, making it a great option for lunches or leftovers.

Ingredients

List of Ingredients

– 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

– 1 tablespoon olive oil

– 3 cloves garlic, minced

– 1 cup heavy cream

– 1 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped

– 1 tablespoon lemon juice

– 1 teaspoon salt

– 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

– 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for heat)

– 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

– Cooked pasta or rice (for serving)

Substitutions for Key Ingredients

You can swap chicken breasts for thighs. They add richer flavor. Use coconut milk instead of heavy cream for a lighter option. If you don’t have fresh basil, use 2 teaspoons of dried basil. For a dairy-free version, try nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese.

Measurement Tips

When measuring basil, pack the leaves for a stronger taste. If you use a liquid measuring cup for cream, pour slowly to avoid spills. A kitchen scale can help if you want precise weights. For lemon juice, roll the lemon on the counter to get more juice out.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Cooking the Chicken

First, grab a large skillet. Heat one tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Place the four chicken breasts in the skillet. Season them with one teaspoon of salt, half a teaspoon of black pepper, and red pepper flakes if you like some heat. Cook the chicken for about five to seven minutes on each side. Look for a nice golden brown color. Make sure the chicken is cooked through. Once done, take the chicken out and set it aside.

Making the Basil Cream Sauce

In the same skillet, add three minced garlic cloves. Sauté them for about one minute until they smell great. Next, pour in one cup of heavy cream. Bring it to a gentle simmer. Stir in one cup of chopped fresh basil leaves, one tablespoon of lemon juice, and a quarter cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Mix well and let it simmer for three to four minutes. You want the sauce to thicken a little.

Combining Chicken and Sauce

Now, return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Coat the chicken in the creamy basil sauce. Cook it for two to three more minutes to heat everything through. This step packs flavor into the chicken. Serve the chicken over cooked pasta or rice. Don’t forget to spoon some extra sauce on top!

Tips & Tricks

Cooking Chicken Perfectly

To cook chicken perfectly, start with even-sized pieces. This helps them cook evenly. I recommend using boneless, skinless chicken breasts. They stay juicy and tender. Season the chicken well with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken for about 5-7 minutes on each side. Look for a golden-brown color. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. The internal temperature should reach 165°F. This ensures your chicken is safe and delicious.

Achieving the Right Sauce Consistency

A creamy basil sauce should be smooth and rich. Start by sautéing garlic in the same skillet. This adds flavor to the sauce. When you pour in the heavy cream, bring it to a gentle simmer. Stir often to prevent burning. Add chopped basil and lemon juice to enhance the taste. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of chicken broth or pasta water. If it’s too thin, let it simmer longer. The sauce will thicken as the cheese melts in. Aim for a velvety texture that clings to the chicken.

Presentation and Serving Suggestions

Presentation matters when serving chicken in basil cream sauce. Serve it over a bed of cooked pasta or rice. This adds color and texture to your plate. Spoon extra sauce over the chicken for a tasty touch. Garnish with fresh basil leaves for a pop of color. A sprinkle of Parmesan cheese adds a nice finishing touch. For a zesty kick, add lemon wedges on the side. This dish looks beautiful and tastes even better!

Pro Tips

Use Fresh Basil: Fresh basil adds a vibrant flavor to the dish. If you can, use it instead of dried basil for the best results.
Adjust Creaminess: If you prefer a lighter sauce, you can substitute half of the heavy cream with chicken broth for a delicious balance.
Perfectly Cooked Chicken: Use a meat thermometer to ensure your chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) for safety and moisture.
Garnishing Ideas: For an extra pop of flavor, consider garnishing your dish with toasted pine nuts or a drizzle of balsamic reduction.

Variations

Adding Vegetables for Extra Flavor

You can add vegetables to this dish for more taste. Try adding spinach, tomatoes, or bell peppers. These veggies pair well with the creamy sauce. Just sauté them in the skillet before adding the cream. They add color and nutrition. You can also use zucchini or asparagus for a fresh twist.

Protein Swaps (e.g., shrimp, tofu)

If you want a change from chicken, swap in shrimp or tofu. Shrimp cooks quickly and adds a seafood touch. Tofu is a great plant-based option. Just make sure to press the tofu to remove extra water. This way, it absorbs the sauce better. Both options work well with the creamy basil flavor.

Adjusting Heat Level with Spices

To change the heat level, play with spices. If you like it spicy, add more red pepper flakes. For a milder dish, skip the flakes. You can also use a pinch of cayenne pepper for extra heat. Alternatively, adding a touch of smoked paprika gives a nice flavor without much heat. Customize it to suit your taste!

Storage Info

How to Store Leftovers

To store leftovers, let the chicken cool down first. Place the chicken and sauce in an airtight container. This keeps it fresh longer. You can store it in the fridge for up to three days. Be sure to cover it well to prevent drying out.

Reheating Instructions

When you want to reheat, use a skillet. Heat it over medium-low heat. Add the chicken with sauce and warm it gently. Stir often to avoid burning. You can also microwave it. Place it in a microwave-safe dish and cover it. Heat in short bursts until it’s hot. Always check the center is warm.

Freezing the Dish

To freeze the dish, let it cool completely. Transfer the chicken and sauce to a freezer-safe container. Seal it tightly to prevent freezer burn. It can last up to three months in the freezer. When ready to eat, thaw it overnight in the fridge. Then, reheat as above before serving.

FAQs

Can I use dried basil instead of fresh?

Yes, you can use dried basil. It will change the flavor a bit. Use about one teaspoon of dried basil for every tablespoon of fresh. Dried herbs are stronger, so start small. Add it to the cream sauce early, so it has time to soften. Fresh basil gives a bright taste, but dried works in a pinch.

What can I serve with Chicken in Basil Cream Sauce?

This dish pairs well with pasta or rice. These sides soak up the creamy sauce. You can also serve it with a fresh salad. Garlic bread is a nice touch too. Roasted veggies add crunch and color. Choose sides that balance the creamy sauce for a full meal.

How long does this dish last in the fridge?

Chicken in Basil Cream Sauce lasts about three to four days in the fridge. Store it in an airtight container to keep it fresh. If you want to enjoy it later, make sure to reheat it well. Just heat it on low to avoid drying it out.

This post covered the key ingredients, cooking steps, and tips for a delicious Chicken in Basil Cream Sauce. I shared ways to swap ingredients and enhance flavor with optional veggies or proteins. You also learned how to store and reheat leftovers. My final thought: with simple steps and a few tweaks, you can make this dish your own. Enjoy cooking and sharing this tasty meal with other

Creamy Basil Bliss Chicken

A delicious and creamy chicken dish infused with fresh basil and garlic, perfect for serving over pasta or rice.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Total Time 30

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 4

Calories 500 kcal

Ingredients

4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon salt
0.5 teaspoon black pepper
0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 serving cooked pasta or rice (for serving)

Instructions

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Cook for about 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
Stir in the chopped basil, lemon juice, and Parmesan cheese, allowing the cheese to melt into the sauce. Let it simmer for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, coating it in the creamy basil sauce. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to heat through.
Serve the chicken over a bed of cooked pasta or rice, spooning extra sauce on top.

Notes

Garnish with additional fresh basil leaves and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Serve with lemon wedges on the side for an extra zing.

Keyword basil, chicken, creamy, easy, pasta