Fresh basil and pimientos make up the basil cream sauce that is served over crispy chicken. This Chicken with Basil Cream Sauce is a great end of summer supper!
So, we have a snail problem. It’s crazy. They are all over the place here where we live. For the most part, they stay in the dirt, but sometimes they will venture out over the driveway or onto the patio. I know that they aren’t good for plants (I guess it’s one time when it’s good that we don’t have a garden), and they have wreaked havoc on a few of our plants and a spot in the grass.
The kids like to play with them sometimes, but they gross me out, so I stay away. No thank you.
Although I don’t have a garden, I do have a few herbs in pots in the backyard. I had this Chicken with Basil Cream Sauce on the menu, so I went and cut off some from my plant. I wasn’t paying too much attention to the basil because I had a child in one arm and was trying to gather basil with the other hand. I took the basil inside, set it in the kitchen sink, and went back to cooking.
The cooking went off without a hitch. I cleaned the basil for the dish, leaving the extra in the sink. As I cook, I have to clean up after myself because I have so little counter space, and whenever I clean a cutting board, I set it standing up behind the sink to dry.
I was just about finished when I looked up, and there it was. A snail. In my kitchen. On my clean cutting board.
At first, I was really confused about how it got there – thinking that maybe one of the kids brought it in somehow, even though they had never done that before. But then I looked down and saw that basil in the sink. I’m pretty sure that little guy hitched a ride in on my basil. Ewww.
Luckily, my daughter was willing to get rid of the snail for me, and luckily the snail didn’t make it onto any of the food. Because I would have been quite disappointed to miss out on this meal.
With the official start of fall right around the corner, (only a week left of summer, people!), this is a great way to transition from summer to fall. I’m trying to enjoy my herbs as much as possible before the frost hits and takes them all from me.
This chicken is simple – thin chicken breasts coated in breadcrumbs and then cooked until golden brown. But the real magic is in the basil cream sauce. Only a few ingredients, but it really packs a punch of flavor. And I’d have to say that it’s a beautiful dish, as well – perfect for end of summer entertaining. We ate every single bite of this meal – not a crumb left over!
Just make sure you don’t have any hitchhikers from the garden!
More Uses for your Fresh Basil:
Turkey Sub with Artichoke and Basil
Tomato and Basil Bake
Margherita Chicken
Tomato Basil Soup
Grilled White Pizza Recipe with Basil and Bacon
Chicken with Basil Cream Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 cup plain bread crumbs
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, 8-12 oz each, cut open lengthwise into 4 thinner pieces
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 jar 4 oz chopped pimientos, drained
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup minced fresh basil
- freshly grated pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 170°F.
- Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.
- Place the milk in a shallow dish. Place the breadcrumbs in a second dish. Dip each of the pieces into the milk, then into the breadcrumbs. Transfer to the skillet and allow to cook until browned on both sides and cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken to a cooling rack placed over a baking sheet and keep warm in the oven.
- Add the broth to the skillet. Bring to a boil and whisk to bring up the browned bits off the bottom of the pan. Add in the cream and the pimientos. Cook until slightly thickened. Reduce the heat, then add the Parmesan cheese and basil. Season to taste with pepper.
- Serve the basil cream sauce over the chicken.
scuba amy says
This recipe is absolutely delicious. I would say it took longer than the 30 minutes listed, but it’s worth every second. I used skim milk instead of heavy cream (I KNOW, I KNOW) and thickened it with a bit of gravy flour. A favorite at our house.
Patti says
I’ve made this several times now – and my entire family (four generations at the table last time!!) just LOVED it! My eldest granddaughter crept down the stairs early Saturday morning and begged me to make her some scrambled eggs with “that sauce”. Which I did. Because, hey……..Grandma here. 🙂
Erin R. says
Bah ha ha! Right on your cutting board? Awful little things. We don’t have tons of snails but I still throw them against the fence or out into the road whenever I see one. Good thing your lovely dinner was unaffected. And that sauce looks just smashing.
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
Craving some of this delicious chicken right now.. loving that yummy basil and cream sauce especially!
Joanne says
EEEK! I am so squeamish about stuff like that. Thank god you have kids who can help you out!
And so glad this meal ended up still being edible. That basil sauce sounds amazing.
Chels R. says
This is so close to a version I make but it doesn’t have the pimentos in it. I love this! And such a great idea about slicing the breast in half. I try to remember to do that so I can make the chicken stretch in my family and it cuts down on the cooking time a bit. And I agree about snails-ick! But my kids are fascinated by them for some unknown reason.
Kristen says
Oh the crust on that chicken looks so good! I can’t wait to make this!
Erin @ Simple Sweet & Savory says
These look amazing! I don’t think pimientos are used enough in recipes and I LOVE them! This sauce sounds delish. Plus, this looks like a perfect weeknight recipe. Pinning!
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction says
Love the basil cream sauce! Great way to mix up our usual chicken recipes!