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

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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
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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

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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!
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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)
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129 Comments
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Leesa
Leesa
March 19, 2015 9:30 am

☆☆☆PLEASE HELP☆☆☆

I looked up what Boursin Cheese was, have never heard of it. On their website I could search for a store in my area that sold it and it said it wasn’t sold in my town. BOO HISS.
I plan on going to our Albertsons tomorrow to look. If I can’t find it, what could I substitute it with????? I really want to make this. Looks yummy! Thanks to anyone who might have suggestions. Take care!!!!!!

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
March 19, 2015 12:42 pm
Reply to  Leesa

Hey Leesa! I’d be shocked if Albertson’s didn’t sell boursin…it should be in their specialty cheese section. If it’s not (fingers crossed!!), here is a recipe for homemade boursin. Its just a blend of creamy cheeses and herbs. Hope this helps!! Good luck!https://www.thecookierookie.com/homemade-boursin-cheese/

AMY
AMY
February 14, 2016 12:54 pm
Reply to  Leesa

I substitute Laughing Cow Light Garlic & Herb ….2-3 triangles. …perfect sub…cheaper and I always have on hand!

Melissa
Melissa
March 18, 2015 9:44 am

Beaky I’m trying this dish tomorrow for me and my BF. It looks amazing!

UnMuteMe
UnMuteMe
March 7, 2015 8:25 pm

Can compare price of chicken, and see nutritional facts, from different grocery stores at http://www.unmuteme.com/chicken

Carol
Carol
March 7, 2015 4:15 pm

Becky, this looks really yummy! I am going to make this up for my family tonight! Saw your photo pinned on the Absolutely Tasty Recipes board.

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
March 10, 2015 7:11 pm
Reply to  Carol

Hope you loved it!

Lindsey
Lindsey
March 5, 2015 7:48 pm

I pinned this recipe a few weeks ago because it looked amazing. I am a mom of four kids under 10 years old, and after a terribly long day, I looked at the boneless skinless in my fridge and was so frustrated. This was beyond uninspired. I was exhausted and didn’t know what to do with four picky kids and a hungry hubs coming home in 20 mins. So I checked pinterest and there you were.

I didn’t have all the ingredients, so instead I dipped the chicken in milk and used panko. Then chicken broth and I had some shelf stable whipping cream from Trader Joes for the pinch. Tomatoes, no pimientos. Dried basil, no fresh. But honestly, despite the subs, it was the best chicken I’ve made in ages. Thank you for bringing flavor into our lives.

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
March 6, 2015 10:07 am
Reply to  Lindsey

This makes me so happy! So glad you loved it!

Charmayne
Charmayne
February 27, 2015 5:46 pm

This dish was amazing!!! followed recipe exactly (except a little more bousin cheese)

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
March 1, 2015 8:02 pm
Reply to  Charmayne

More boursin cheese is NEVER a bad idea :) Thanks so much for stopping by, I’m so glad you loved the recipe!

Jennifer & Kali
Jennifer & Kali
February 27, 2015 11:55 am

Are all your recipes dog friendly? Like if I made it she could have some??

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
February 27, 2015 2:55 pm

No, most of my recipes are people only :) This one would probably upset a dogs stomach because of the cream. i do have a couple dog treat recipes if you search dog treats on the sidebar! Thanks for stopping by :)

Jennifer & Kali
Jennifer & Kali
February 28, 2015 3:31 pm
Reply to  Becky Hardin

lol Thats how I found your website! I was looking for a recipe for peanutbutter cookies for dogs. Google sent me here.

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
March 1, 2015 8:01 pm

Oh that google :)

Jackie Quigg
Jackie Quigg
February 23, 2015 9:53 pm

Made this tonight and it was fabulous! So glad that I doubled the sauce.

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
February 23, 2015 10:12 pm
Reply to  Jackie Quigg

Yay!!!! Love to hear that. So glad you liked it! (thanks for letting me know) :)

Colleen King
Colleen King
February 23, 2015 1:53 pm

Hi this looks yummy!! Wondering if the pimentos are crucial to the recipe or if something can be substituted?

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
February 23, 2015 2:46 pm
Reply to  Colleen King

You could leave them out. It would still be great without them :)

CARMELA
CARMELA
February 20, 2015 4:47 pm

I ‘be seen your recipe in Pinterest. It’s delicious, I am lactose intolerant but I’ll try it with fee-lactosa cream. Xo

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
February 20, 2015 8:29 pm
Reply to  CARMELA

Hope you love it!!