Crispy Chicken with Basil Cream Sauce is a healthier dinner, made with baked chicken breasts and a creamy sauce made without cream!

There is so much to love about this crispy chicken!
This is a recipe I’ve been making since before I posted it originally in 2015, back when I was cooking just for fun ๐
The chicken breasts stay incredibly juicy, and because we’re baking them instead of frying, they are a much healthier option (and you also don’t have to smell frying oil for weeks to come!).
This basil cream sauce was inspired by a recipe I found in a Better Homes and Gardens cookbook a long time ago — it’s a lighter take on creamy sauce, made with milk and a roux instead of cream.
Serve this crispy chicken over a plate of egg noodles, or with a side of these Garlic Herb Instant Pot Potatoes or these Roasted Potatoes and Carrots!
Variations on this Crispy Chicken with Basil Cream Sauce:
- If you don’t have panko bread crumbs, you can use regular bread crumbs or crushed crackers, but the panko crumbs make it extra crispy
- You can swap the milk in the sauce for half and half or even heavy cream, if you want it a little richer
- You can skip the chicken broth and opt for a combination of milk and cream, or just milk, or just cream, but I find the chicken broth adds lots of flavor!
- This recipe makes just enough sauce for serving with the chicken — if you want extra for mashed potatoes or pasta, be sure to double the sauce
More chicken breast recipes you’ll love!
- Mango Salsa Chicken and Rice — made with just 6 ingredients!
- Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo — made in just one pot!
- The Best Oven Fried Chicken — with tons of rave reviews from readers!
Crispy Chicken with Basil Cream Sauce
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 1/2 teaspoons seasoning salt (I use Lawry's)
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 cup milk
Basil Cream Sauce
- 3 tablespoons margarine (or butter)
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup chicken broth (low sodium)
- 1/2 cup milk 1%
- 1 teaspoon basil pesto
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and spray a baking sheet with non-stick spray or line with parchment paper.
- In a shallow, square container combine panko through paprika. Place milk in another shallow container or dish.
- Dip chicken into milk, then into crumb mixture, pressing down gently to make sure the crumbs adhere to the chicken. Flip the chicken and coat the other side in the crumbs. Place on baking sheet.
- Bake for 15 minutes, then flip the chicken. Bake another 10 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads 165 degrees F and coating is lightly golden.
- While the chicken is baking, prepare the sauce. In a medium pan, melt the margarine or butter. Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute.
- Whisk in broth, milk, pesto and salt and cook over medium heat, stirring often, until thickened. Remove from heat and serve over chicken.
Nutrition Information
Want to save this recipe?
Create an account easily save your favorite content, so you never forget a recipe again.
Tried this recipe?
Tag @thereciperebel or hashtag #thereciperebel โโจI love to see what you’re making!
Tag @thereciperebel
Amanda says
How long does thr sauce cook??
Ashley Fehr says
Until thickened
Laura says
This was very tasty. For the sauce I use the chicken broth but I add powdered skim milk to warm broth. I add enough to make the broth very milk like. It works and tastes as if you used 2% milk. I do the same for all my cream sauces. Always use powdered skim milk.
Ashley Fehr says
That’s a great tip! Thanks!
Sara Welch says
Tried this for dinner tonight and it did not disappoint! Great family friendly meal; my picky eaters ate every bite!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Sara! I’m so glad!
Julie Blanner says
I love that I had all the ingredients for this! It was so easy to make and the whole family enjoyed it, which is a win-win! This will definitely be a repeat meal.
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Julie!
Valentina says
This crispy chicken recipe is my go-to dinner! So easy and so delicious!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Valentina! I’m so glad!
Britni says
These were crispy and delicious! The whole family, even my picky 7-year-old, loved them!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Britni!
Gina says
That basil cream sauce was delish! This entire meal is a 5 star recipe for sure!
Ashley Fehr says
thanks Gina!
Priya Desai says
Lovely recipe! Successful attempt but like you mentioned, my chicken was on the drier side. Instead of milk, I used Goโs mozzarella cheese. I wrapped the chicken in the cheese. As I cooked it, the cheese melted and converged with the chicken! It was amazing and gave a thick and delicious outer cover. Thanks for the recipe, my family loves it.
Ashley Fehr says
Glad you liked it!
Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven says
Um, wait. This chicken is lighter?? WHY am I not eating this right this second?? This is my kinda Monday food aaaaall the way. That cream sauce is pure perfection!
Ashley Fehr says
Haha, right?!?! I’m all about comfort food in disguise ๐
Dorothy Dunton says
Hi Ashley! I always have panko in my pantry and I always bake chicken. Unfortunately my reason for baking vs frying is not for “healthy”, I do it that way because I hate the mess of frying! Same reason I cook bacon on a sheet pan in the oven! ๐ This sauce would be nice on asparagus (which will soon be coming up in our garden).
Ashley Fehr says
Hi Dorothy! Haha, any reason is a good reason! I hate the mess too, and I love that I can line a sheet pan with foil to keep the mess to a minimum when I bake anything (and bacon too!). I am so jealous that you have things growing! Haha, our snow is just on its way out, but it’s supposed to get cold again ๐
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction says
This looks great! Love the sound of the basil cream sauce!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Jessica!
Kristen says
Do you think the sauce would be good on pasta?
Ashley says
It’d be great! That’s what we serve it with ๐
Aimee @ Like mother like daughter says
This looks perfect. I love that you lightened it up so that we could all keep our new years resolutions – if I actually had any! But, I do still have a few baby pounds to lose and eating this chicken every day seems like the perfect way!
Ashley says
Thanks Aimee! I’ve got a few of those myself…. ๐
Michelle { A Latte Food } says
Yes! I am all about subbing in healthy ingredients for unhealthy ones! You’d totally never get that from my typical dessert calorie-laden posts, but I have to balance my desserts with my actual meals, right? Haha, anyway, these look great! Pinned!
Ashley says
Haha, I’m ALL about balance!
Amanda @ Cookie Named Desire says
Sign me up! I am also trying to eat a little more balanced and show everyone that I do know what a balanced meal looks like. This is the exact kind of meal I love to make at home so I am definitely going to try out this recipe!
Ashley says
Thanks Amanda!
Jess @ On Sugar Mountain says
I wouldn’t have even thought this was “light” if you hadn’t told me! It looks so wonderfully comforting, Ashley!
Ashley says
Thanks Jess! I’m all about pretending I’m not eating healthy ๐
Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel says
I’m all for decadent foods in moderation, but definitely appreciate light versions too…. this chicken looks awesome and the sauce sounds so delicious!!
Ashley says
Thanks Jess!
Sarah@Whole and Heavenly Oven says
And here I was trying to decide what should be on the dinner menu tonight and then you share this chicken! Problem solved. ๐ I absolutely LOVE how crispy it looks and all that sauce is drooloworthy!
Ashley says
Thanks Sarah! It’s one of my favorites!
Allie | Baking a Moment says
Ooh what a great dish to start out the year with! I love how you’ve lightened up a classic. And I have the same kind of philosophy about moderation. Deprivation never works for me, but all I ever need is a small taste ๐
Ashley says
Haha, I’m not always satisfied with a small taste…. But I try!