This Creamy Garlic Chicken recipe is your ticket to a restaurant-quality meal right in your own kitchen. In just 30 minutes, you can create a stunning dish featuring tender, juicy chicken breasts smothered in a rich, velvety garlic cream sauce. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner that’s impressive enough for guests and easy enough for a busy schedule. Forget bland chicken dinners; this recipe will become a staple in your meal rotation.
Why This Creamy Garlic Chicken Recipe is a Keeper
There are countless reasons to love this dish, but here are a few that make it truly stand out. It’s incredibly fast, making it a perfect solution for those hectic weeknights. The entire meal comes together in one skillet, which means minimal cleanup and maximum flavor. Most importantly, the sauce is absolutely irresistible—rich, savory, and packed with garlic goodness that perfectly complements the golden-brown chicken.
The Key Ingredients for Success
The magic of this Creamy Garlic Chicken lies in its simple, high-quality ingredients. You don’t need a long shopping list to create this incredible flavor.
For the Chicken
- Chicken Breasts: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded to an even thickness for consistent cooking.
- Seasoning: A simple mix of salt, black pepper, and garlic powder is all you need to create a savory crust.
- Olive Oil & Butter: A combination of these two fats provides the best flavor and a perfect sear.
For the Creamy Garlic Sauce
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is non-negotiable for the best flavor.
- Chicken Broth: This deglazes the pan and forms the savory base of the sauce.
- Heavy Cream: Creates that luxurious, velvety texture.
- Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese melts beautifully and adds a nutty, salty depth.
- Fresh Parsley: Adds a touch of freshness and color to finish the dish.
How to Make Creamy Garlic Chicken (Step-by-Step)
Follow these simple steps to create a flawless dish every time. The key is to build layers of flavor in the skillet.
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season them generously on both sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- Build the Sauce Base: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Make it Creamy: Stir in the heavy cream and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes, until it begins to thicken.
- Finish the Sauce: Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine and Serve: Return the chicken to the skillet, spooning the sauce over each piece. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Pro Tips for a Flawless Dish
Want to elevate your Creamy Garlic Chicken? Here are a few expert tips.
- Don’t Crowd the Pan: Cook the chicken in batches if necessary to ensure each piece gets a beautiful golden-brown crust.
- Use Freshly Grated Parmesan: Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can make your sauce grainy. Grating your own ensures a silky-smooth texture.
- Pound the Chicken: Pounding the chicken to an even thickness is the secret to juicy, perfectly cooked chicken every time. It prevents the thinner parts from drying out while the thicker parts cook through.
Delicious Variations to Try
While this recipe is fantastic as is, it’s also incredibly versatile. Try one of these simple variations to mix things up.
- Add Spinach: Stir in a few handfuls of fresh spinach at the end and let it wilt into the sauce for a boost of greens.
- Mushroom Delight: Sauté sliced mushrooms in the pan after the chicken and before the garlic for an extra layer of earthy flavor. Our Chicken Mushroom Soup (coming soon) is another great way to enjoy this combo.
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic to give your sauce a gentle kick of heat.
What to Serve with Creamy Garlic Chicken
This dish pairs beautifully with a variety of sides that can soak up every last drop of the delicious sauce. Serve it over pasta, fluffy white rice, or creamy mashed potatoes. For a lower-carb option, it’s excellent with zucchini noodles, cauliflower rice, or a side of steamed asparagus or broccoli. For another crowd-pleasing dinner, try this Marry Me Chicken recipe.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Store any leftover Creamy Garlic Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm it in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or cream to loosen the sauce if needed. Avoid the microwave, as it can make the chicken tough and the sauce separate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work wonderfully in this recipe. They may take a few minutes longer to cook, so use a meat thermometer to ensure they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
To prevent the sauce from splitting, remove the skillet from the heat before stirring in the Parmesan cheese. The residual heat is enough to melt the cheese smoothly. Overheating cheese is the most common reason for a grainy or separated sauce.
Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free as written. Always double-check that your chicken broth is certified gluten-free if you have a severe intolerance.
For a similar creamy texture, you can use half-and-half or evaporated milk, though the sauce may be slightly less rich. For a dairy-free option, full-fat coconut milk from a can is the best substitute, adding a subtle coconut flavor.
For the best flavor, use a sharp knife to finely mince fresh garlic cloves. While a garlic press is convenient, mincing by hand provides a better texture and releases less of the bitter compounds, resulting in a sweeter garlic flavor in the sauce.
More Delicious Dinner Ideas
If you enjoyed this recipe, you’re sure to love some of our other easy dinner solutions. For a cozy night in, this Chicken Lasagna Bake is pure comfort food. And for a quick and flavorful meal, our Pesto Chicken is always a hit.
We hope you love this Creamy Garlic Chicken as much as we do! If you make it, please leave a comment below and let us know what you think. Don’t forget to save it to your favorite board on Pinterest!
Creamy Garlic Chicken Recipe
Creamy Garlic Chicken (The Only Recipe You’ll Ever Need)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Season the chicken generously on both sides.
- Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the butter is melted and foaming, add the chicken breasts. Cook for 5-7 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F or 74°C). Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
- Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for about 30-60 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn it.
- Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any delicious browned bits from the bottom with a wooden spoon. Bring to a simmer.
- Stir in the heavy cream. Let the sauce gently simmer for 2-3 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly.
- Remove the skillet from the heat. Gradually stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
- Return the seared chicken to the skillet. Spoon the creamy garlic sauce over the chicken to coat. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
Tip 2: Ensure your chicken breasts are pounded to an even thickness. This guarantees they cook evenly and stay juicy.
Tip 3: Don't overheat the sauce after adding the Parmesan, as this can cause it to become oily or separate.
