This Creamy Basil Chicken Skillet is an easy one-pan meal that’s ready in just 30 minutes with the yummiest basil and parmesan sauce.
Ingredients and substitutions
- Olive oil – use any neutral cooking oil like canola or avocado oil.
- Chicken cutlets – you can also slice two boneless skinless chicken breasts in half lengthwise or use chicken thighs instead.
- Butter – substitute for your favourite butter alternative.
- Garlic – fresh minced garlic is best but jarred minced garlic will work in a pinch.
- Sun-dried tomatoes – roasted red peppers would also be good in this recipe.
- Salt & pepper – to taste.
- Heavy cream – use half and half for a lower-calorie alternative (just keep in the mind the sauce won’t be as creamy).
- Parmesan cheese – nutritional yeast is the best dairy-free substitute.
- Basil – fresh herbs are best. You can use dried basil but the taste won’t be the same.
- Broccoli – use frozen broccoli florets instead.
How to make creamy basil chicken
Step 1: Microwave the broccoli.
Add broccoli florets to a large bowl filled with water and microwave for 7-8 minutes. Drain water from broccoli and set aside.
Step 2: Season the chicken.
Heat olive oil in a skillet over med-high heat. Season chicken cutlets with salt & pepper, then add to pan.
Step 3: Sear until browned.
Sear on each side for 3-4 minutes until browned. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
Step 4: Sauté the butter, garlic and sundried tomatoes.
Add butter to the skillet, then add garlic and sundried tomatoes and saute for 30 seconds.
Step 5: Make the sauce.
Add cream, bringing to a boil, then stir in parmesan cheese and salt & pepper. Add basil leaves and cook for another 30 seconds until wilted, then add chicken back to skillet.
Step 6: Serve and enjoy!
Serve basil chicken alongside broccoli, garnishing with extra chopped basil and parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy!
What to serve with basil chicken
Here are some ideas on what you can serve this creamy basil chicken recipe with:
- Over brown rice or quinoa for a healthy option
- Over your favourite pasta noodles drizzled with a bit of olive oil
- With a side of cauliflower fried rice for a low-carb option
- With air fryer sweet potato fries
- With corn on the cob
Frequently Asked Questions
You can serve this basil chicken with any side dish or vegetable of your choice! It'd be delicious with steamed veggies, corn on the cob or even some cauliflower fried rice.
The sauce should already be pretty thick thanks to the heavy cream and parmesan, but if you want it to be even thicker, you can stir in a cornstarch slurry and let it simmer.
While this recipe is for basil chicken, you could also try making it with shrimp. Just keep in mind that cooking time will be different for shrimp versus chicken.
You can make this creamy basil chicken up to 5 days in advance. I'd recommend reheating in on the stovetop for the best results!
Storing and reheating
This creamy basil chicken will last in the fridge for 4 to 5 days. Store any leftovers in airtight glass containers with the sauce and reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through.
Freezing this recipe
You can freeze this basil chicken recipe for up to 3 months without the broccoli. Use freezer-safe bags or lidded containers and freeze it as one meal or separate it into individual portions.
When you’re ready to enjoy, let it defrost in the fridge overnight. Reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave then serve with fresh broccoli!
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Creamy Basil Chicken Skillet {One Pan}
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb chicken cutlets (4 cutlets, or 2 chicken breasts sliced in half lengthwise)
- 1 tbsp butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes
- 1/4 tsp salt & pepper
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup parmesan cheese
- 1 cup basil, roughly chopped
- 1 head broccoli, chopped into florets
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over med-high heat. Season chicken cutlets with salt & pepper, then add to pan, searing on each side for 3-4 minutes until browned. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Meanwhile, add broccoli florets to a large bowl filled with water and microwave for 7-8 minutes. Drain water from broccoli and set aside.
- Add butter to the skillet, then add garlic and sundried tomatoes and saute for 30 seconds. Add cream, bringing to a boil, then stir in parmesan cheese and salt & pepper. Add basil leaves and cook for another 30 seconds until wilted, then add chicken back to skillet.
- Serve basil chicken alongside broccoli, garnishing with extra chopped basil and parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy!
Comments & Reviews
Paula says
My husband and I loved this!! I did increase the cream to 3/4 C from 1/2 C and it was perfect!!
Taylor Stinson says
I’m so happy you enjoyed!
Michelle says
I’m wondering if coconut milk can be used in place of cream towards a dairy-free version of this recipe?
Taylor Stinson says
I haven’t tried it myself but I imagine it would work nicely 🙂
Amanda says
This is on our regular rotation. It is my go to recipe when people come over for dinner. So easy and so flavorful. Sometimes I add another clove or two of garlic and thin the sauce with a little extra milk/cream. Everyone raves about this meal.
Taylor Stinson says
I’m so happy you love it so much! 🙂