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Cheryl’s Fancy Pants Chicken

Cheryl’s Fancy Pants Chicken
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Cheryl’s Fancy Pants Chicken is an easy, flavorful dish combining juicy, tender chicken with a rich blend of herbs, spices, and a creamy sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions, it delivers restaurant-quality flavor with minimal effort, ready in under 40 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 4 boneless chicken breasts or thighs

Cooking Base

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced

Sauce

  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons fresh herbs (thyme or parsley), chopped
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, then season both sides generously with salt and pepper to ensure a beautiful sear and lock in moisture.
  2. Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for about 5-6 minutes on each side until golden brown and nearly cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate to rest.
  3. Build the Sauce: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add the minced garlic. Cook until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up browned bits for extra flavor.
  4. Add Cream and Herbs: Whisk in the heavy cream and Dijon mustard, stirring until the sauce thickens slightly. Add fresh herbs like thyme or parsley to infuse the sauce with vibrant aroma.
  5. Finish Cooking: Return the chicken to the skillet, spoon sauce over each piece, and simmer gently until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), about 5 more minutes, keeping the chicken moist and the sauce perfectly blended.

Notes

  • Patience with Searing: Ensure the pan is hot before adding chicken for a golden crust.
  • Use Fresh Herbs: Fresh herbs significantly enhance flavor compared to dried.
  • Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Cook chicken in batches if needed for even cooking and browning.
  • Deglaze Properly: Scrape pan browned bits with broth or wine to add deep flavor to the sauce.
  • Adjust Cream Thickness: Simmer longer for thicker sauce or add more broth to thin it.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken recipe, creamy chicken, easy dinner, weeknight meal, herbed chicken, gluten free chicken

Find it online: https://dishesbylina.com/cheryls-fancy-pants-chicken/