Ingredients
Scale
The key to this dish lies in selecting the right ingredients, particularly fresh chicken breasts and quality cream cheese. When I’m preparing a meal for my family, I always aim for ingredients that bring out the best flavour with minimal fuss. Cream cheese is a pantry staple here, but I prefer full-fat versions for creaminess. If you want to keep things lighter, a reduced-fat cream cheese works fine too. Fresh herbs add a lovely touch—something my grandmother always insisted on for that final burst of freshness.
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 ounces each)
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup chicken broth or stock
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (or 1 tablespoon fresh chopped herbs like basil, parsley, or thyme)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Optional: 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (for a tangy twist)
Instructions
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel and season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and dried Italian herbs.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, add the chicken breasts and sear for about 5 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (75°C).
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate, tented with foil to keep warm.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic to the same skillet and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the pan with a wooden spoon. Let this simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Lower heat to medium-low and add the softened cream cheese, stirring until melted and smooth. If using, stir in sun-dried tomatoes at this point.
- Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning the sauce over them. Let everything warm together for another 2-3 minutes so the flavours meld.
- Garnish with fresh chopped herbs if you have them on hand, and serve immediately.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
