The Recipe Rebel / Dinner
written by Ashley Fehr
5 from 10 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Total Time 35 minutes mins
Servings 4 servings
Jump to Recipe
Last updated on April 8, 2024
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see our disclosure policy.
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!
Pin this recipe to save for later
Pin this recipe to your favorite boardCrispy Chicken with Basil Cream Sauce
written by Ashley Fehr
5 from 10 votes
Crispy Chicken with Basil Cream Sauce is a healthy meal, made with baked chicken breasts and a creamy sauce made without cream!
Save
ReviewPrep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 35 minutes mins
Cuisine American
Course Main Course
Servings 4 servings
Calories 276cal
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
US Customary – Metric
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
Calories: 276cal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 75mg | Sodium: 1502mg | Potassium: 523mg | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 480IU | Vitamin C: 4.5mg | Calcium: 70mg | Iron: 1.5mg
Keywords crispy chicken
Want to save this recipe?
Create an account easily save your favorite content, so you never forget a recipe again.
Register Now
Tried this recipe?
Tag @thereciperebel or hashtag #thereciperebel — I love to see what you’re making!
Tag @thereciperebel
Meet Ashley
My name is Ashley Fehr and I love creating easy meals my family loves. I also like to do things my way, which means improvising and breaking the rules when necessary. Here you will find creative twists on old favorites and some of my favorite family recipes, passed down from generations!
Read More
You May Also Like
Dinner
Chicken Taco Salad
Dinner
Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup
Dinner
Slow Cooker Pot Roast with the BEST gravy!
Reader Interactions
Comments
Amanda says
How long does thr sauce cook??
Reply
Ashley Fehr says
Until thickened
Reply
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.
Reply
Ashley Fehr says
That’s a great tip! Thanks!
Reply
Sara Welch says
Tried this for dinner tonight and it did not disappoint! Great family friendly meal; my picky eaters ate every bite!
Reply
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Sara! I’m so glad!
Reply
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.
Reply
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Julie!
Reply
Valentina says
This crispy chicken recipe is my go-to dinner! So easy and so delicious!
Reply
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Valentina! I’m so glad!
Reply
Britni says
These were crispy and delicious! The whole family, even my picky 7-year-old, loved them!
Reply
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Britni!
Reply
Gina says
That basil cream sauce was delish! This entire meal is a 5 star recipe for sure!
Reply
Ashley Fehr says
thanks Gina!
Reply
Priya Desai says
Lovely recipe! Successful attempt but like you mentioned, my chicken was on the drier side. Instead of milk, I used Go’s 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.
Reply
Ashley Fehr says
Glad you liked it!
Reply
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!
Reply
Ashley Fehr says
Haha, right?!?! I’m all about comfort food in disguise 😉
Reply
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! 🙂 This sauce would be nice on asparagus (which will soon be coming up in our garden).
Reply
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 🙁
Reply
This looks great! Love the sound of the basil cream sauce!
Reply
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Jessica!
Reply
Kristen says
Do you think the sauce would be good on pasta?
Reply
Ashley says
It’d be great! That’s what we serve it with 🙂
Reply
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!
Reply
Ashley says
Thanks Aimee! I’ve got a few of those myself…. 🙂
Reply
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!
Reply
Ashley says
Haha, I’m ALL about balance!
Reply
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!
Reply
Ashley says
Thanks Amanda!
Reply
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!
Reply
Ashley says
Thanks Jess! I’m all about pretending I’m not eating healthy 🙂
Reply
I’m all for decadent foods in moderation, but definitely appreciate light versions too…. this chicken looks awesome and the sauce sounds so delicious!!
Reply
Ashley says
Thanks Jess!
Reply
And here I was trying to decide what should be on the dinner menu tonight and then you share this chicken! Problem solved. 🙂 I absolutely LOVE how crispy it looks and all that sauce is drooloworthy!
Reply
Ashley says
Thanks Sarah! It’s one of my favorites!
Reply
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 😉
Reply
Ashley says
Haha, I’m not always satisfied with a small taste…. But I try!
Reply
« Older Comments
