Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz each)
- 2 tablespoons butter, divided
- 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Season the chicken breasts thoroughly with salt and pepper. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Step 2: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter to the skillet and sauté the thinly sliced yellow onion for 5-7 minutes until soft and translucent, stirring occasionally.
- Step 3: Sprinkle the flour over the onions and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Whisk in the chicken broth and dried Italian seasoning, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Step 4: Once the broth is simmering, stir in the heavy cream until fully incorporated into the sauce. Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings (salt and pepper) if necessary.
- Step 5: Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, nesting them gently in the creamy sauce. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F) and the sauce has thickened slightly. Serve immediately smothered in the cream sauce.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; freezing is not recommended as the heavy cream sauce may separate upon thawing.
- To reheat, use a low temperature on the stovetop or oven, adding a splash of milk or extra heavy cream if the sauce seems too thick or dry.
- This dish pairs beautifully with creamy mashed potatoes, rice pilaf, or buttered egg noodles to maximize the enjoyment of the rich smothering sauce.
- For maximum flavor, take extra care when scraping up the browned chicken bits (the fond) in Step 3, as these savory remnants are essential for deepening the broth base.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 smothered chicken breast (approx. 1 cup gravy)
- Calories: 460
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Protein: 2g