I swear this recipe was sent straight from heaven

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🌟 Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken (Air Fryer or Oven)

Heaven-sent flavor, minimal effort, and totally addictive.

🍗 Ingredients

For the Chicken:

  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or 4 thighs)

  • 1 cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice)

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour

  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

  • 1 tsp garlic powder

  • 1 tsp smoked paprika

  • ½ tsp salt

  • ½ tsp black pepper

  • Cooking spray or olive oil (for air fryer)

For the Creamy Garlic Parmesan Sauce:

  • 2 tbsp butter

  • 4 cloves garlic (minced)

  • 1 cup heavy cream (or half & half)

  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

  • Salt & pepper to taste

  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning (optional)

  • Fresh parsley (for garnish)

🔥 Instructions

STEP 1: Marinate Chicken

  1. Slice chicken breasts in half lengthwise (to make cutlets) for quicker, even cooking.

  2. Place in a bowl with buttermilk. Let marinate at least 30 minutes or up to overnight in the fridge.

STEP 2: Bread the Chicken

  1. In a shallow bowl, mix flour, Parmesan, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.

  2. Remove chicken from marinade, let excess drip off, and dredge in the flour-Parmesan mixture. Press to coat well.

STEP 3: Cook the Chicken

🍳 Option 1: Air Fryer

  1. Preheat air fryer to 390°F (200°C) for 3–5 minutes.

  2. Spray basket and chicken with cooking spray or olive oil.

  3. Air fry for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp 165°F / 74°C).

🔥 Option 2: Oven

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).

  2. Place chicken on a wire rack over a baking sheet.

  3. Bake for 20–25 minutes, flipping once, until crispy and cooked through.

STEP 4: Make the Creamy Garlic Parmesan Sauce

  1. In a small pan, melt butter over medium heat.

  2. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.

  3. Stir in cream and bring to a gentle simmer.

  4. Add Parmesan and stir until melted and smooth.

  5. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to taste.

STEP 5: Assemble

  • Spoon or pour the hot creamy garlic sauce over the crispy chicken.

  • Garnish with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan.

🥗 What to Serve With:

  • Creamy mashed potatoes

  • Buttered pasta

  • Garlic green beans

  • Air-fried broccoli

  • Crusty bread (to mop up that sauce!)

💬 Heavenly Bites Q&A

🔹 Q: Can I use chicken thighs instead?

A: Yes! Boneless, skinless thighs work perfectly and stay super juicy.

🔹 Q: Can I skip the sauce?

A: You could… but why would you? It’s what makes it angelic. That said, the breaded chicken on its own is also divine.

🔹 Q: Can I make this gluten-free?

A: Use a gluten-free flour blend and ensure your Parmesan is gluten-free.

🔹 Q: How do I store and reheat leftovers?

A: Store in the fridge up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer or oven to keep it crispy, then drizzle fresh sauce on top.

🔹 Q: What can I add for a twist?

  • Add chili flakes to the sauce for heat

  • Stir in sun-dried tomatoes or spinach

  • Swap chicken for shrimp for a heavenly garlic parmesan shrimp dish

⭐ Final Note:

This is the kind of meal people will beg you for the recipe after one bite.
It’s indulgent but not overwhelming — the perfect balance of crispy, creamy, garlicky, and cheesy.
Yes, it might just be sent from heaven. 😇

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