Spicy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Breast

📜 Description:

This Spicy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Breast recipe delivers bold flavor with minimal effort. Tender chicken breasts are pan-seared or oven-baked, then coated in a buttery garlic-parmesan sauce with a spicy kick from red pepper flakes and hot sauce. It’s a perfect blend of creamy, cheesy richness and fiery spice—ideal for weeknight dinners or protein-packed meal prep.

📝 Ingredients for Spicy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Breast

• 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (sliced horizontally for 4 cutlets)

• 1 tsp smoked paprika

• ½ tsp salt

• ½ tsp black pepper

• ½ tsp chili powder

• 1 tbsp olive oil (for searing)

For Sauce:

• 3 tbsp unsalted butter

• 4 cloves garlic (minced)

• 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)

• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (freshly grated is best)

• 2 tbsp hot sauce (like Frank’s RedHot or Sriracha)

• ¼ cup heavy cream or half-and-half (optional, for creamy version)

• 1 tbsp chopped parsley (for garnish)

🔪 Instructions:

1. Prep the Chicken:

   • Pat chicken dry. Rub with paprika, salt, pepper, and chili powder.

2. Cook the Chicken:

   • Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.

   • Sear chicken for 4–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.

3. Make the Sauce:

   • In the same pan, lower heat to medium. Add butter and let it melt.

   • Stir in garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.

   • Add hot sauce and Parmesan cheese. Stir until well combined.

   • (Optional) Stir in cream to make the sauce creamy.

   • Return chicken to pan and coat with the sauce.

4. Serve:

   • Sprinkle with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan.

   • Serve hot with roasted veggies, mashed potatoes, pasta, or over rice.

🍽️ Servings:

• Serves 4 people (1 cutlet per person)

💡 Notes:

• For extra crispy texture, lightly flour the chicken before searing.

• Use pre-sliced chicken breasts to save time.

• Parmesan can be substituted with Asiago or Pecorino Romano for a sharper taste.

🔥 Tips:

• Adjust spice by varying the amount of red pepper flakes or using a milder hot sauce.

• Add lemon juice to the sauce for a zesty finish.

• Great for meal prep—reheats well in a skillet or microwave with a splash of water.

🥦 Nutritional Info (per serving, approximate):

• Calories: 320

• Protein: 34g

• Fat: 20g

• Carbohydrates: 2g

• Fiber: 0g

• Sugar: 0g

• Sodium: 540mg

🌟 Benefits:

• High in lean protein.

• Low in carbs—keto and low-carb friendly.

• Garlic and chili support immunity and metabolism.

• Parmesan provides calcium and rich umami flavor.

❓Q&A:

Q: Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
A: Absolutely! Boneless, skinless thighs work well—just increase cook time slightly.

Q: How spicy is this dish?
A: It’s moderately spicy. Reduce red pepper or hot sauce for a milder version.

Q: Can I bake the chicken instead?
A: Yes! Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes, then pour the sauce over before serving.

Q: What sides go best with it?
A: Garlic mashed potatoes, roasted broccoli, pasta, rice, or even a crisp salad.