Herb-Infused Smothered Chicken Recipe
A comforting and flavorful herb-infused smothered chicken recipe featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in a creamy, herbaceous sauce made with fresh thyme, rosemary, and oregano, enriched with Parmesan cheese and served with a rich onion and garlic base.
- Author: reem
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing and Simmering
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Sauce
- 1 onion, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley for garnish
- Season the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt and pepper to enhance the flavor before cooking.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken breasts and cook for 6-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Onions: In the same skillet, melt butter. Add sliced onions and sauté until they become soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add Herbs and Garlic: Stir in minced garlic, fresh thyme, rosemary, and dried oregano. Cook for another minute until the mixture is fragrant.
- Create Roux: Sprinkle the flour over the onion and herb mixture. Stir constantly for 1-2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste and create a roux base for the sauce.
- Add Broth: Gradually pour in chicken broth while stirring continuously to prevent lumps. Let the sauce thicken slightly.
- Incorporate Cream and Cheese: Reduce heat to medium, then stir in heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until cheese melts and sauce becomes smooth, around 2-3 minutes.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Place the chicken breasts back in the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Spoon sauce over the chicken to coat evenly.
- Simmer to Meld Flavors: Cover the skillet and simmer on low for about 10 minutes to allow the chicken to absorb the herb flavors and for the sauce to thicken further.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese over the top before serving. Serve warm for a delicious, comforting meal.
Notes
- For a thicker sauce, simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes after returning the chicken to the skillet.
- Fresh herbs provide a brighter flavor, but dried herbs can be substituted if necessary.
- This dish pairs well with mashed potatoes, rice, or steamed vegetables.
- Use low-fat cream for a lighter version, though the sauce may be less rich.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce (~260g)
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
Keywords: herb chicken, smothered chicken, creamy chicken recipe, thyme chicken, rosemary chicken, Parmesan chicken