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Creamy Garlic Mozzarella Chicken Recipe

Recipe by Pedro M. A. Neves

This Italian-inspired dish features tender chicken breasts enveloped in a silky garlic cream sauce with melted mozzarella cheese. The combination of fresh mozzarella and aromatic garlic creates a comforting yet elegant main course that pairs beautifully with pasta or crusty bread to soak up the rich sauce.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 180g each)
• 200g (7 oz) fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
• 60ml (¼ cup) extra virgin olive oil
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 240ml (1 cup) heavy cream
• 120ml (½ cup) chicken broth
• 30g (¼ cup) grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 8-10 fresh basil leaves, torn
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 15g (2 tablespoons) all-purpose flour

Instructions

1. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper. Lightly dust each breast with flour, shaking off excess.

2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When shimmering, carefully place chicken breasts in the pan and cook for 5-6 minutes until the bottom is golden brown.

3. Flip the chicken breasts and cook the other side for another 4-5 minutes until lightly golden. Transfer to a plate and set aside.

4. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add minced garlic. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.

5. Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Add the Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a gentle simmer.

6. Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 8-10 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.

7. Stir in the grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese until melted and incorporated into the sauce, about 1 minute.

8. Arrange fresh mozzarella slices over each chicken breast. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook for 2-3 minutes until the mozzarella is just melted and soft.

9. Remove from heat and scatter fresh torn basil over the top. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.

Substitutions

• Use boneless pork tenderloin medallions instead of chicken for a pork variation
• Substitute heavy cream with Greek yogurt mixed with a tablespoon of cornstarch for a lighter version
• Replace fresh mozzarella with burrata cheese for a richer, more luxurious texture
• Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a vegetarian adaptation with plant-based protein like tofu

Tips

• Slice mozzarella directly before use to prevent it from sticking; fresh mozzarella melts best when added just before serving
• Pound chicken breasts to an even ½-inch thickness to ensure uniform cooking and prevent dry edges
• Do not boil the cream sauce vigorously as high heat can cause separation; maintain a gentle simmer
• Reserve a splash of sauce to spoon over pasta or bread as the dish's most flavorful element

This recipe reflects modern Italian comfort cooking that blends traditional cream-based sauces (reminiscent of Northern Italy) with fresh mozzarella, a staple of Southern Italian cuisine. While not strictly traditional, it represents contemporary Italian home cooking that values quality ingredients and simple preparation techniques.

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