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 buttermilk 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 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.
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
How to Make Basil Chicken with Cream Sauce
This one pan recipe is really easy. Here’s a quick step-by-step:
- Cover chicken breast in buttermilk then dip in breadcrumbs and place in skillet.
- Cook 5 minutes, then flip and cook another 5 minutes, or until cooked through.
- Remove chicken from the skillet.
- Add chicken broth and sherry to skillet and bring to a boil.
- Add cream, pimentos, tomatoes and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and add in the cheeses and herb. Let it simmer until the sauce reduces by half.
- Add chicken back to the skillet with the sauce until everything is heated through.
Check the step-by-step recipe photos above, watch the recipe video, and print the full recipe card below.
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!
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.
Basil Chicken Recipe 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!
Recipes like this Skillet Basil Cream Chicken are my favorite thing to make, eat, and share with all of you!
Other chicken breast recipes we love:
- Baked Chicken Tacos
- Creamy Caesar Chicken
- Buttermilk Fried Chicken
- Chicken Pot Pie Casserole
- Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
- Baked Chicken Parmesan
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!
Can you sub out the buttermilk? What else could you dip the chicken in? Trying to consolidate ingredients. Thanks
This is definitely being added into the dinner rotation… But your copper pans in the pictures ???? Where can I buy?
It’s for one serving. These nutrition facts are definitely an estimate but I plugged everything in so it should be relatively accurate.
Are these nutrition facts for one serving or the whole recipe? This is great for LCHF!
you always have a high taste of food .. your recipes are always the best … thank you for sharing this information to us
No you definitely don’t have to! Just grill them the same and skip the breading step. Enjoy!
Do you have to bread the chicken breasts? Looking to make this as a low carb meal.
It is! Crazy to see the difference. I have so many others that are so ugly and need work LOL
This sounds delicious! I love cooking with buttermilk – i love the flavor, and the tenderness it adds to dishes. isn’t is “fun” to go back to old posts and see your photos. i’ve got some good ones – they are so orange i can’t even really tell what food it is lol!
I found this while simply googling “chicken recipes.” It sounded like something I might want to try…and I am so glad I did! Wow, what a wonderful flavor this sauce has! I am making it again tonight but doubling the batch of sauce to put over some pasta as well. Just delightful and tastes like I know my way around a kitchen!
I enjoy a lot when i play spider which is the best game for enjoyment.
Don’t use half and half instead of heavy cream…. it made for a chunky, separated sauce :(
This was very satisfying and didn’t take long to prepare. I made it as directed except I only used two chicken breasts–ended up cutting them in half and definitely have four servings. The only other thing I did differently was to pound the chicken breasts before coating/cooking them–made them more even. Served over white rice but could just as easily have used flavored rice or pasta or a baked potato. Thanks!
THank you!! So glad you loved it :)
My daughter made this for me a couple months ago and tonight will be my second time making it. We used cream cheese and dried basil as that is what we had and it was delicious! For the person asking about he calorie and carb count I am sure it is up there but if you only have it now and again it is worth the splurge
The breading all came off the Breasts while sautéing them. Otherwise very good
This is an incredible recipe!! Tasted like something I would have ordered in a fancy restaurant. Definitely splurge on the Boursin cheese and fresh basil. Instead of bread crumbs (because I ran out), I coated the chicken with Rice Krispies grounded up. Love the crunch that those offered. Seriously, this was amazing! 5 stars!!
I don’t have an app currently to calculate nutritional data. I have heard for personal use myfitnesspal.com is great!
Would you know the calorie and carb count in this dish?
Hi! It’s a herbed cream cheese style cheese that usually comes in a tub and it shoudl be sold at every grocery store. You could ask someone or find it in the specialty cheese section. It’s SO good in this, so I hope you find it, but if not you could use cream cheese. Hope you love the recipe!
I’ve never heard of Boursin Cheese & never noticed it in the stores. Can I substitute with something else, & if so, what?? Thanks!
That is so wonderful! I’m so glad you found me. Thanks so much for saying hi, hope you love the recipe!
I lost my favourite recipe and this looks such a winner the same as my old recipe except the ingredients are all fresh, so I can add or replace to the family’s taste. It looks so delicious, I am cooking this dish tonight. Yum cannot wait to indulge. Thanks for sharing, you have made my day. I hope many more ladies try this, it is also a great winter warmer, just for something extra try lentils, corn kernels or beans – I like to keep tin items in the cupboard so I can add if I wish for something extra. Thanks for sharing :-)
Can you freeze it?
use dry basil, just use less than called for as it is a stronger flavor
I live in a very small town and can’t find any fresh Basil, what can I do ?
So smart! Love that idea!
Love the addition of spinach! Sounds delish. So glad you loved it!
I just finished eating this wonderful meal! The only thing I did different was add a large handful of spinach to the sauce. It was wonderful!!!
Instead of the pimentos, I added about 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes. I used some of the oil it’s packed in to sauté the chicken up at the beginning too. Really good flavor, really good dinner, really good leftovers…. It was really good!!!
1/4 cup milk. Enjoy!
How much milk?
I made this last night and I can not wait to make it again. I left out pimento as I am not a fan but otherwise I followed recipe. Brought the leftovers for lunch today and I am counting the minutes. LOVED IT!
Could this recipe be made ahead of time,and reheated…hate to be cooking when guests are present.
Ooooooh my….what a recipe! One of the best dishes I’ve ever made. The creamy parmesan sauce is better than any Alfredo I’ve tasted. Tweaked the recipe a little bit since i was missing some ingredients. I used panko and seasoned it with Italian herbs and adobo seasoning, used chicken bullion for broth (very flavorful) and instead of pimento I added some capers. Added penne pasta and created a one-skillet dish. My family enjoyed it so much they would like for me to make it again. Since I haven’t cooked in a while my husband just said that “I still have it”. (Our little secret) Thank you Becky for the inspiration!
LOVE to hear that!! Thanks Beth!
I made this and absolutely loved it. I served it over pasta. I’m actually making for company again this week. This is a favorite and a keeper. Thanks.
I’m going to try this SOON ! Looks delicious!
LOVE THIS!! Thanks for letting me know. Hope you love it extra with the Boursin!
I have made this three times and tomorrow will be #4. The first time I used half of the basil, because basil can be overpowering….. not here. The next time we went with with the full amount. DELICIOUS! This is just perfection. I’m making boursin cheese tonight, because it sounds delicious, but before this I have used plain cream cheese. I don’t see it being much better, because this is truly great, but who knows….. Nirvana may be in my future.
I made this tonight and it was absolutely delicious!!! Thank you for the recipe!
I haven’t tried that but I would think if you make the sauce beforehand you could pull it off. I”ll have to give it a try and let you know!
YAY! Just LOVE to hear when readers love recipes. I love your substitutions, sounds delicious! I’m just so glad you stopped by and let me know it was a success :)
I did drain them, not a silly question AT ALL! I should have included that. Hope you love the recipe! <3
This sounds so yummy and I’m excited to try it! Silly question…do you drain the tomatoes (I’m using a can of diced) and the pimentos before adding, or do you use their liquid as well? Thanks!
I loved the pictures and description of this recipe so I decided to make it tonight. The only change I made was to use half and half (10%) cream instead of heavy cream. This was really delicious! I served it with green beans and small boiled potatoes but I think next time I will cut the chicken into smaller pieces and serve over pasta.
The key to the unique flavour of this recipe is the fresh basil. Wow, it really adds something special.
This is company worthy!
Hi! Is there any way to make this in a crockpot? Thanks in advance!
Thanks so much Jo!
Looks good
Let me know how you like it!! xo
Making this tonight….can’t wait.
SUCCESS! So glad to hear that. And love your polenta idea!
My husband and I loved this recipe! I served it over some plain creamy risotto, and it was a huge Valentines Day hit! For an easy weeknight meal, next time I think I’ll try it over Polenta. Delish!!
That is a seriously great substitution!
I substitute Laughing Cow Light Garlic & Herb ….2-3 triangles. …perfect sub…cheaper and I always have on hand!
WOW!! Lorie you completely made my day! Seriously this made me smile from ear to ear. Thank you so much for stopping by and letting me know, that is wonderful and comments like this is why I love blogging. So glad you loved the recipe, have a fabulous week :)
I often use recipes from the web but this is the first time I have seen your site. So happy I found it. This is the first time I have commented on a recipe on the web, but I just had to tell you how much we loved, loved, loved it. I live in a small northern town in Michigan and our little town market did not have Boursin, so I made it without. It was amazing. This has to be one of the best dishes I have ever had. I made it last night, and my guy took some in his lunch today. We had more left so I said, you probably won’t want the same thing for dinner again tonight, and he said, I don’t mind at all. That was so good. I’m posting this one to FB so my friends can try it too. Just delicious! Thank you.
Best comment ever! I just love love your substitutions….that sounds divine! Thanks for stopping by and letting me know you loved it :)
Tardy to the party, I know, but I made this last night, as this recipe caught my eye. Only difference, I used a coconut flour/arrowroot flour instead of bread crumbs, and spiralized yellow squash vice rice/pasta, as we’ve gone semi-mostly-quasi-paleo. Yum, Yum, YUM!!! Best part was coming home today to smell the lingering aroma (yeah, I know it sounds weird). Solid flavors…officially added to the rotation. Can’t wait for the leftovers tonight. Thanks so much, Becky!
Yes absolutely. The pimentos give off a bit of redness and when cooked down give the entire sauce a tint. Totally fine to skip them if you don’t like them. Glad you liked the recipe, thank so much for saying hi!
Hi this is such a great recipe thanks for sharing. I had a question though. When I made it my sauce didn’t have the orange tint. Was this because I skipped the pimientos?
HI!!!!! Just made my day to hear from you! I saw your pics recently from the yearly reunion, looked SO fun! Thanks for saying hi, really did make me so happy. And cooking is SO much easier than I thought. You’ll do great :)
Just stumbled across your page from Teek – and I am beyond excited to try this stuff out! I am a horrible cook and want to learn desperately – so this looks like a great place to start! Excited for this adventure for you!
Yes you could leave it out I think…It’s really just for taste. I don’t think it would hurt the recipe at all!! Thanks so much for saying hi :)
I know it’s heresy, but I just don’t like (hate) Parmesan, or any of the “stinky” cheeses. If I leave that out, any ideas for a substitution, or maybe just use more boursin?
It would be totally fine either way! I think sun dried tomatoes sound delish in this recipe!!
Would it do anything to the recipe if I left out the tomatoes? Could I use Sun-dried Tomatoes?
Thanks, Jan
I don’t have a nutritional calculator on the site yet, but I’m hoping to add it some time in the future if I can find a good app. Sorry for the inconvenience!
I think laughing cow would work! Or I have a recipe for homemade boursin on the site as well, just search boursin in the search bar. But I do think laughing cow would work. any soft herby cheese would be fine :)
Hi I’m so excited to try this recipe but the only problem is I can’t find any Boursin cheese. I was wonder if laughing cow would be a good substitute
Does anyone know the nutritional facts on this meal?
Yay!!! So glad you loved it!
Made this tonight (sans pimentos), it was super easy and OH SO delicious! I’m 26 and just learning how to cook, so your website is pretty much the greatest thing in the entire world to me right now. Would definitely recommend this to everyone!
I made this for dinner last night for my parents and boyfriend everyone loved it! I did use almond milk instead of regular milk and I couldn’t find heavy cream so I used whipping cream instead. I will definitely try harder to find the heavy cream next time I make this. I would definitely make this again!
Thank you so much for your sweet comment!! Totally made my day. So glad you guys loved the recipe!
I’ve never posted a comment to a recipe I’ve tried but in this case I felt I had to. I made this last night. I substituted 4 thighs for 2 of the breasts because my husband prefers dark meat. All I can say is WOW!!! My husband just text me and said he wants it again tonight. LOL Thank you Becky. This is definitely a recipe I will make over and over again. Super simple and SO delicious!!!
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/
☆☆☆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!!!!!!
Beaky I’m trying this dish tomorrow for me and my BF. It looks amazing!
Hope you loved it!
Can compare price of chicken, and see nutritional facts, from different grocery stores at http://www.unmuteme.com/chicken
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.
This makes me so happy! So glad you loved it!
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.
More boursin cheese is NEVER a bad idea :) Thanks so much for stopping by, I’m so glad you loved the recipe!
Oh that google :)
lol Thats how I found your website! I was looking for a recipe for peanutbutter cookies for dogs. Google sent me here.
This dish was amazing!!! followed recipe exactly (except a little more bousin cheese)
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 :)
Are all your recipes dog friendly? Like if I made it she could have some??
Yay!!!! Love to hear that. So glad you liked it! (thanks for letting me know) :)
Made this tonight and it was fabulous! So glad that I doubled the sauce.
You could leave them out. It would still be great without them :)
Hi this looks yummy!! Wondering if the pimentos are crucial to the recipe or if something can be substituted?
Hope you love it!!
I ‘be seen your recipe in Pinterest. It’s delicious, I am lactose intolerant but I’ll try it with fee-lactosa cream. Xo
Oh my gosh, I’m so honored you commented and so honored you loved the recipe!! This TOTALLY made my day. Thank you so much for letting me know! I’m smiling ear to ear hearing that! And I’m glad to hear the cream cheese works as a substitute!!! Thanks Kelly :)
This is the first time I’ve ever actually commented on any the many wonderful recipes I get from Pinterest. Normally, I figure I have nothing new to add to the hundreds of other commenters, so I don’t bother, but I feel I have to with this one. This recipe has spread like wildfire through my family and friends. My husband and brother have said it is their favorite dish I’ve ever cooked. My husband took it to work with him and shared some, and his coworker loves it so much I had to send him the link. I suggested it to my mom and her boyfriend and my Little. They all love it too. I’ve made this 3 times in the past 4 weeks and no one is tired of it yet. They just asked for it again tonight.
I substitute cream cheese for boursin because my podunk grocery store doesn’t carry it, and I don’t put the chicken back into the sauce, I just pour the sauce over the chicken on top of spaghetti. It is literally our favorite meal now. Thank you for this!
Yay!!! Love to hear that! Thanks for stopping by and letting me know :)
I tried this last night! Best chicken ever! Thanks for posting this!
Hey Jessica, I don’t currently have an app to calculate nutritional info. I’m looking into adding that feature. Sorry for the trouble!
Can you tell me how many calories this is?
Thanks Bethany, awesome idea!!!
Amazing recipe! In light off all the boursin questions, thought id share what I did! I didn’t have any on hand so mixed 3oz cream cheese and 2.5oz butter with some spices (garlic and basil primarily) and it worked perfectly! Thanks for sharing!!
Ha, I don’t blame her for eating that sauce like a soup lol. I’m so glad she liked it! Thanks for letting me know :)
My daughter (8) and I made this tonight. She is quite picky, not normally liking meat mixed with “sauce” but since it had basil and tomaatoes which she loves, I thought we would give it a try. It was a hit, though she ate it like soup. ; )
I’m so glad Rosemary!! Makes my day to hear that :)
I just made this recipe for my family and we loved it!!! Would definitely do this again!!!
You could use an herbed cream cheese, BUT boursin can be found at almost any grocery store. Usually there’s a cheese section where you find the feta, etc…boursin is usually in that section in a plastic bowl. It’s one of my favorite things!
What can I substitute for Boursin cheese? I don’t even know where to find that .
I LOVE to hear that!! I’m so glad! Thanks so much for letting me know you loved it :)
I have to say that I LOVE THIS RECIPE!! Made it a couple weeks ago for my chef boyfriend…first thing he asked was When I would make it again!! We have this at least once a week now…infact it is what we are making it tonight!! Thank you for an amazing dinner option!!
Do you think regular cream cheese could work just as well as Boursin cheese??
I just cooked this for my family and I’m amazed I even got it on the table…I keep “taste testing” the sauce. It is devine!!! Mine didn’t come out pretty, but it sure was delicious! Thank you for the great post!
Also, I added some left over Ramono cheese…AMAZING!!
THANKS AGAIN!
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!
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!
Thanks so much Angie!!! That is so sweet and so nice to hear. Hope you love the recipe!
I’m going to make this for dinner tonight, it looks amazing! And your photo’s have greatly improved! :)
Yes you definitely can Brendan! No worries, I’m learning with you! Hope you love the recipe :)
Can I use whipping cream in place of the heavy cream? Sorry, not much of a cook!?
So glad you loved it!
I loved this recipe :) It was the highlight of my Sunday! Thank you!!!
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!
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!
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.
Any flavor would be delish, but I used the garlic and herb flavor! Thanks for stopping by Tania!
Hi there, for the boursin cheesr , is it a particular flavor? Thank you
Thanks Jenny!
What a fun and delicious recipe site. Love the chicken!
I hope you love it Roxy! Thanks for stopping by!
Omggg!! That looks so delicious! Im so definitely going to cook this to my family!!!!
Thanks Amber!!
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:)