This Basil Chicken recipe with cream sauce has always been one of my favorite recipes. This dish has a creamy tomato basil sauce made with heavy cream and cheese that is just to die for! Easy breaded chicken, tomatoes, fresh herbs, and more make up this fool-proof skillet chicken recipe. 

basil chicken in a skillet

This post may include affiliate links that earn us a small commission from your purchases at no extra cost to you.

Basil Chicken Recipe

This creamy basil chicken skillet was one of the first recipes I made when I started learning to cook. It gave me so much confidence because it’s SO delicious and so fool-proof.

I’m always looking for easy chicken recipes to make for dinner, and I certainly have a lot of them! But this chicken with cream sauce has proven to stand up to the test of time.

I was instantly in love with this dish when I first made it, and it seems all of you have loved it too!

The fact that this basil chicken recipe is made in ONE PAN blew my mind and gave me confidence that I too could cook amazing (yet EASY) meals for friends and family.

chicken with cream sauce in a skillet
Email This Recipe
Enter your email and we’ll send the recipe directly to you!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
basil chicken and cream sauce in a skillet

My Favorite Skillet Chicken Recipe

This basil chicken remains one of my very favorite recipes on the site and I come back to it over and over again.

I first made this years ago, but I’ve continuously worked to perfect the recipe every time I made it.

Some other favorite Skillet Chicken Recipes include Chicken Parmesan Pasta Skillet, Enchilada Stuffed Chicken Skillet, and Chicken con Queso. Can you tell I’m obsessed with one pot wonders?

Basil Cream Sauce

Everyone loves a good chicken recipe, but that CREAMY SAUCE is what makes this dish amazing. It cooks in the same skillet you cook the chicken in, so the leftover juices mix in with the cream and cheese and basil to cook down into the perfect flavor pairing.

Ingredients:

  • Heavy cream
  • Chicken broth
  • Pimentos
  • Diced tomatoes
  • Sherry (optional)
  • Parmesan Cheese
  • Garlic-Herb Cheese (like this homemade boursin)
  • Basil
  • Black pepper
side shot of tuscan chicken in cream sauce with wooden spoon

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

72+ Chicken Dinner Recipes

See our Chicken Guide for all the best chicken recipes plus tips and tricks for juicy chicken every time.

Chicken Dinner Recipes
how to make basil cream chicken step by step process shots

How to Make Basil Chicken with Cream Sauce

This one pan recipe is really easy. Here’s a quick step-by-step:

  1. Cover chicken breast in buttermilk then dip in breadcrumbs and place in skillet.
  2. Cook 5 minutes, then flip and cook another 5 minutes, or until cooked through.
  3. Remove chicken from the skillet.
  4. Add chicken broth and sherry to skillet and bring to a boil.
  5. Add cream, pimentos, tomatoes and bring to a boil.
  6. Reduce heat and add in the cheeses and herb. Let it simmer until the sauce reduces by half.
  7. Add chicken back to the skillet with the sauce until everything is heated through.

You can jump to the recipe card for full ingredients & instructions!

Serving Suggestions

I love serving this creamy basil chicken with a side of rice and veggies, or with pasta. The cream acts as the perfect pasta sauce, and the chicken is super tender!

chicken with sauce in a skillet
creamy sauce and chicken skillet

What to Do with Leftovers

This creamy basil chicken recipe makes for great leftovers.

  • Keep it in the fridge for 2-3 days. (If you’re like us, it won’t last that long due to you eating it immediately.)
  • To reheat: place the chicken and sauce in a skillet and heat over medium heat until heated through. Stir regularly so the sauce warms evenly. Reheating the chicken directly with the sauce helps keep it juicy.
  • It also reheats just fine when popped microwave for a little over a minute, if you’re in a rush to eat. Be sure to smother it in lots of leftover sauce!
  • This dish doesn’t freeze well due to the heavy cream component, so I recommend refrigerating and eating within a few days.

Tips!

  • This recipe works best with chicken breasts that aren’t super thick. They cook faster and more evenly in the skillet and come out more tender.
  • You can slice larger breasts in half length-wise if you can’t find thin cuts.
  • Soaking the chicken in buttermilk before starting helps tenderize the meat and adds a creamy texture before coating it in breadcrumbs.
  • After removing the chicken from the skillet, deglaze the pan and scrape off the brown bits as you start to cook the sauce. It adds extra flavor!

Man I love this recipe. Just looking at that basil cream sauce…I’m addicted!

cream chicken skillet

Recipes like this Skillet Basil Cream Chicken are my favorite thing to make, eat, and share with all of you!

More Chicken Breast Recipes we Love

If you make this recipe be sure to upload a photo in the comment section below or leave a rating. Enjoy! You can also jump to recipe.

Recipe Card

Basil Chicken with Cream Sauce

4.66 from 69 votes
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Author: Becky Hardin
Basil Chicken with Cream Sauce has always been one of my favorite recipes. This Basil Chicken Recipe has a creamy sauce made with buttermilk and cheese that is just to die for. Easy breaded chicken, tomatoes, fresh herbs, and more make up this super easy, delicious, and fool-proof Skillet Chicken Recipe. You need this Cream Chicken in your life ASAP!
Basil Chicken with Cream Sauce has always been one of my favorite recipes. This Basil Chicken Recipehas a creamy sauce made with buttermilk and cheese that is just to die for. Easy breaded chicken, tomatoes, fresh herbs, and more make up this super easy, delicious, and fool-proof favorite among Skillet Chicken Recipes. You need this Cream Chicken in your life ASAP! Basil Recipes for the win!
Save this recipe!
Enter your email and we’ll send the recipe directly to you, plus new recipes weekly!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Ingredients 

  • ¼ cup buttermilk
  • ¼ cup breadcrumbs
  • 4 chicken breasts boneless, skinless
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons canola oil
  • ¼ cup chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons dry sherry optional
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 can pimentos 4 ounces can, drained
  • 1 can diced tomatoes 14.5 ounce can, drained
  • ¼ cup fresh basil chopped
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons garlic & herb cheese such as Boursin
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions 

  • Place chicken breasts in a shallow dish and cover with buttermilk.
  • Pour breadcrumbs in a different shallow dish.
  • Heat skillet over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons butter and 1 tablespoon canola oil.
  • Dip chicken in the breadcrumbs and place in the hot skillet.
  • Cook 5 minutes or until bottom side is crispy and golden brown.
  • Add remaining butter and oil and flip the breasts over. Cook another 5-7 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.
  • Transfer the chicken to a plate. Set aside.
  • Add chicken broth and sherry (if using) to the skillet to deglaze and bring to a boil over medium heat. Scrape the brown bits off the bottom of the skillet.
  • Add the cream, pimentos and tomatoes. Bring to a boil and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly.
  • Reduce heat to low and add Parmesan, garlic-herb cheese, basil and black pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook until sauce reduces by half.
  • Add the chicken back to the sauce and heat through.
  • Serve as is with sauce or with a side of rice or pasta.
  • Enjoy!

Video

Calories: 702kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 38gFat: 54gSaturated Fat: 28gCholesterol: 215mgSodium: 717mgPotassium: 777mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 2525IUVitamin C: 36.5mgCalcium: 394mgIron: 2.5mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment!

Meet Becky Hardin

Becky Hardin is a wife and mother living in Saint Louis Missouri. She founded The Cookie Rookie in 2012 as a creative way to share recipes. Now, she is a trusted resource for easy cooking around the world, being featured in Taste of Home, The Kitchn, ABC’s Home and Family, and more. Here at The Cookie Rookie she is the editor in chief of all recipes and continues to enjoy sharing her passion for cooking for busy families. She has since founded two additional food blogs, Easy Chicken Recipes and Easy Dessert Recipes.

4.66 from 69 votes (47 ratings without comment)
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

129 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Camille
Camille
January 5, 2015 6:50 pm

A-amazing recipe! I usually never reply to a recipe on a blog I have tried. However this was a Top 3 if not number one meal on pinterest I have found! The chicken was so moist and the sauce is unbelievable! We have 4 kids my husband and myself so 6 of us so I made it the recipe twice in a row tonight, made enough sauce to freeze and pack for husbands lunch! Bravo for creating this. PS, we went out to dinner on Friday and Sunday, which we never do, I cook 95% of the meals and husband said it was better than any restaurant and the kids called me Chef Mommy… lol
Sorry this is so long, but it’s excellent the recipe is great, even the step by step is so helpful. Thank you, keep up the great work!5 stars

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
January 5, 2015 9:25 pm
Reply to  Camille

This is the best comment I have ever gotten!! THANK YOU for letting me know! Completely made my day, that is SO wonderful to hear! So glad you loved it!

Angie Ohmann
Angie Ohmann
January 5, 2015 2:51 pm

I’m going to make this for dinner tonight, it looks amazing! And your photo’s have greatly improved! :)

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
January 5, 2015 3:39 pm
Reply to  Angie Ohmann

Thanks so much Angie!!! That is so sweet and so nice to hear. Hope you love the recipe!

Brendan Bailey
Brendan Bailey
January 5, 2015 12:26 pm

Can I use whipping cream in place of the heavy cream? Sorry, not much of a cook!?

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
January 5, 2015 1:48 pm
Reply to  Brendan Bailey

Yes you definitely can Brendan! No worries, I’m learning with you! Hope you love the recipe :)

Natasha
Natasha
December 28, 2014 11:41 am

I loved this recipe :) It was the highlight of my Sunday! Thank you!!!5 stars

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
December 28, 2014 5:05 pm
Reply to  Natasha

So glad you loved it!

Shannon L.
Shannon L.
December 20, 2014 9:35 pm

Absolutely delicious! I made this recipe for a dinner party and got rave reviews…..used 8 small breasts and increased the sauce ingredients slightly. I only wish there were more leftovers!

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
December 21, 2014 11:22 am
Reply to  Shannon L.

I’m so glad you loved it!! Made my day to hear that. And I always want more leftovers too :) Thanks for trying the recipe and letting me know!

Purdue
Purdue
December 18, 2014 9:07 pm

What’s terrific about this recipe is it can be both summery and comforting in the winter. Great tip on cutting the breasts for even cooking in the skillet.5 stars

tania
tania
December 9, 2014 6:37 pm

Hi there, for the boursin cheesr , is it a particular flavor? Thank you

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
December 9, 2014 9:49 pm
Reply to  tania

Any flavor would be delish, but I used the garlic and herb flavor! Thanks for stopping by Tania!

Jenny Martin
Jenny Martin
December 8, 2014 7:44 pm

What a fun and delicious recipe site. Love the chicken!4 stars

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
December 8, 2014 7:50 pm
Reply to  Jenny Martin

Thanks Jenny!

Roxy
Roxy
December 8, 2014 12:47 am

Omggg!! That looks so delicious! Im so definitely going to cook this to my family!!!!

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
December 8, 2014 1:25 pm
Reply to  Roxy

I hope you love it Roxy! Thanks for stopping by!

Ambar
Ambar
November 30, 2014 3:21 pm

lol loved this post! I’m so ashamed of some of my early post too! I love how you put a twist on chicken breast! It looks savory:)

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
November 30, 2014 8:28 pm
Reply to  Ambar

Thanks Amber!!

1 2 3 9