Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Step 1: Season the chicken breasts generously with salt, pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon of the smoked paprika. Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown, but not cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Step 2: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the diced onion to the skillet and sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and remaining 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika, cooking for one minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan (this adds flavor). Reduce the heat to low, then stir in the heavy cream until the sauce is smooth. Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings (salt/pepper) as needed.
- Step 4: Return the partially cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, nesting them gently into the cream sauce so they are submerged (smothered). Cover the skillet and simmer on low heat for 10-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Step 5: Remove the skillet from the heat and let the chicken rest in the sauce for 5 minutes before serving. The sauce will thicken slightly as it cools. Serve immediately, spooning the creamy sauce liberally over the chicken.
Notes
- Leftovers store beautifully for up to 3 days in an airtight container; however, skip freezing as the cream sauce tends to separate upon thawing.
- Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat; if the sauce has thickened significantly, stir in a spoonful of chicken broth or milk to restore its creamy texture.
- Ensure you serve this creamy chicken alongside mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or fluffy rice—you won’t want to miss a single drop of the savory smothering sauce.
- The secret to a truly deep flavor is aggressively scraping the skillet bottom when you add the broth (Step 3); those browned bits, or 'fond,' are pure concentrated savory goodness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 (6 oz) Chicken Breast portion with 1/2 cup sauce
- Calories: 463
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: *(Note: %DV for Unsaturated Fat and Trans Fat is typically not listed on standard labels.)*
- Trans Fat: 0.1g
- Protein: 1g