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 😉
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!
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Pin this recipe to your favorite boardCrispy 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
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marcie@flavorthemoments says
I don’t normally like heavy cream sauces, so this lightened up version sounds perfect for me! And that chicken is so golden brown and crispy. This meal would seem indulgent to me — it looks wonderful! Pinned. 🙂
Ashley says
Thanks Marcie!
Karen @ The Food Charlatan says
Food bloggers always look like insane people in December, right? Like we only eat peppermint and fudge truffles?? haha. This chicken looks so great! I’m all over the light.
Ashley says
Haha, totally! I mean, by December I’ve already moved on to pink heart shaped things 🙂
Amber @ Dessert Now, Dinner Later! says
This dish speaks to me because it’s breaded chicken, and it’s Italian! Glad it’s lightened up and I’m all about moderation and sharing with neighbors as well. 😉
Ashley says
Thanks Amber! Any way I can feel better about eating the food I love!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
Ashley, I think we all went a little over the top with indulgent recipes in December. . hey, it was the holidays and that’s our job! 😛 love love love this lighter chicken! I totally want to try this basil cream sauce!! and hey, if you just had a baby, dude, EAT!!! you need all those calories and fat for your milk! 🙂
Ashley says
Haha, oh I EAT Alice 🙂 Because right after Christmas baking comes Valentine’s Day baking… I need some lighter recipes to even things out!
Tori@Gringalicious.com says
I’m so dying to eat this chicken right now and THAT sauce! I could probably drink it with how much I love pesto! Pinned!
Ashley says
Pesto is the best! The easiest way to add flavor. Thanks Tori!
Amanda says
This looks wonderful, I love everything about this recipe!
Ashley says
Thanks Amanda!
Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. says
Completely agree with you Ashley! I never count calories, far too much work, but focus on moderation and making as many healthy choices and substitutions as I can! This chicken looks delicious, so crispy, and that sauce looks fantastic!
Ashley says
Thanks Stacey!
Kayla says
There’s two different size milk listed which on is for the cream sauce?
Ashley Fehr says
You’re right! I’ve added a heading in the ingredients to make things clearer
Danielle says
You’d never be able to tell this was a lighter dish, it looks so delicious! I had one too many holiday treats this past month, so this sounds perfect for dinner. Pinning this!
Ashley says
Thanks Danielle! Didn’t we all? Lol
Shinee says
Ashley, I’m totally with you. I don’t count calories. I just try to focus on moderation. And by moderation, I mean eat a healthy dinner and have extra decadent dessert. Haha, oh well! Love this chicken with that sauce. Yum!
Ashley says
Haha, that’s totally me too!
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
This chicken looks so crispy and delicious! Love the panko crumbs and the basil cream sauce sounds amazing! Perfect dish for balancing out all those sweets I need too 🙂
Ashley says
Thanks Kelly! Same here, especially with all the Valentine’s Day treats coming up!
Shashi at Runninsrilankan says
That paprika flavored basil cream sauce takes this chicken to a whole other level! Thanks for sharing this Ashley!
Ashley says
Thanks Shashi!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby cakes) says
I am totally like you. I believe in moderation and this chicken looks sensational. I would devour this!
Ashley says
Thanks Jocelyn!
Cyndi - My Kitchen Craze says
This chicken looks delicious. You wouldn’t even know that it’s a healthier version. Yum!! And good for you for doing your New Year’s resolutions. I’ve already stopped mine, hehe. I made it 7 days I think. Thats good enough, right? Pinned!!
Ashley says
Haha, thanks Cyndi! I’m not sure it’s really a New Years resolution… if I’d had a baby in July, I’d still be trying to eat healthier! Lol. Of course, all that Christmas baking didn’t help 😉
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
What a great lightened-up recipe! I love your philosophy of moderation… that’s the way to go 🙂
Ashley says
Haha, thanks Medha! I can’t avoid the sweets completely 😉
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
Now that it is January I should probably start eating better, instead of eating ice cream every night after dinner like I have this week. Ha! This recipe sounds delicious. I love chicken in panko, so crispy and tasty.
Ashley says
Haha, I can’t say that I don’t use a “healthy supper” as an excuse to have a giant bowl of ice cream later…. but it all evens out right?:)
Christina @ Bake with Christina says
That chicken looks perfect! So crispy and tasty looking, and I’m so glad it’s healthy too! Pinned 🙂
Ashley says
Thanks Christina!
Rina @ I Thee Cook says
What a perfect way to still enjoy a dish like this! I will be giving this a try for sure. Thanks for sharing!
Ashley says
Thanks Rina!
Julie @ Julie's Eats & Treats says
So you aren’t just sitting around eating chocolate on maternity leave?! Haha! This looks amazing and moderation is my philosophy too. People always wonder how I don’t eight 300 pounds but they see every bad thing I put into my mouth with the blog and think I do that all the time!
Ashley says
It’s so true! Even food bloggers need a little balance sometimes. Lol. And no, I use a good healthy meal as an excuse to eat chocolate later! 😉
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
This is definitely the perfect meal to jump start the healthy eating after the new year! Ans this basil cream sauce looks so good! Such a great dinner, Ashley!
Ashley says
Thanks Gayle!
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
Great recipe! This is definitely my kind of meal. I still haven’t used panko breadcrumbs and I really need to give them a try.
Ashley says
Oh you need to! I love using panko for breading! So crispy 🙂