Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Place chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap or parchment paper and pound to an even 1-inch thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin.
- Season both sides of the chicken generously with salt and pepper.
- Set up a breading station: beaten eggs in one bowl; breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan combined in another.
- Dip each chicken piece into the egg, letting excess drip off, then press firmly into the breadcrumb-Parmesan mixture to form a thick, even coating.
- Arrange breaded chicken on a lightly greased baking sheet, spaced well apart to allow air circulation.
- Bake on the middle rack for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
- For extra crispiness, broil for the final 2-3 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
- While the chicken bakes, melt butter or heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and just golden — do not let it brown.
- Pour in heavy cream, stirring continuously, and simmer for 5 minutes until slightly thickened. Season with salt, pepper, and optional crushed red pepper flakes.
- Remove chicken from oven and let rest 3-5 minutes. Spoon creamy garlic sauce generously over each piece, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve immediately.
Notes
Pound chicken to an even thickness for uniform cooking and a crispier crust. Use a meat thermometer to avoid over- or under-cooking. Never let the garlic brown or it will turn bitter. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to the sauce just before serving for a gourmet touch. If the sauce over-thickens on reheating, whisk in a small splash of cream to restore consistency.
