Description
A comforting one-skillet meal featuring tender, seared chicken breasts cooked in a creamy, cheesy sauce with fresh asparagus and aromatic sautéed onions and garlic. This recipe offers a hearty yet elegant dinner option that’s easy to prepare in just 35 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1/2 medium onion, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb asparagus, chopped
Chicken
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded thin (approx 6 chicken breasts)
- 1 tablespoon butter
Sauces and Seasoning
- 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 oz cream cheese
- 2/3 cup Cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Saute Vegetables and Aromatics: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onion and minced garlic, sautéing until the onions are tender and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
- Remove Aromatics: Transfer the cooked onions and garlic onto a plate and set aside to add back later.
- Sear Chicken: In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon of butter. Sear the thinly pounded chicken breasts on each side until golden brown, approximately 3-4 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare Sauce: To the skillet, add chicken broth, heavy whipping cream, cream cheese, Cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, the reserved onions and garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Whisk continuously over medium-low heat until the cheeses melt and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy, about 5 minutes.
- Simmer Chicken: Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet with the sauce. Cover and simmer on low heat for 10 minutes to fully cook the chicken.
- Add Asparagus: Arrange the chopped asparagus around the chicken in the skillet. Cover and continue to simmer on low for an additional 12 minutes until the asparagus is tender and the chicken is cooked through.
- Thicken Sauce: Remove the lid and allow the sauce to simmer uncovered for 3-5 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Serve: Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese if desired and serve the meal hot directly from the skillet.
Notes
- Make sure to pound the chicken breasts thin for even cooking.
- Use fresh asparagus for best texture and flavor.
- Keep heat on low during simmering to avoid burning the sauce.
- This dish pairs well with a side of crusty bread or a light salad.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half but expect a less rich sauce.
