The Creamiest Garlic Chicken Recipe That Everyone Will Love

Whipping up a mouthwatering garlic chicken dish can transform your weeknight dinner routine in surprising ways.

Our culinary adventure promises rich, comforting flavors that dance across your palate.

Bold garlic notes mingle with tender chicken, creating a symphony of taste that feels like a warm embrace.

Subtle cream sauce adds luxurious depth to every delectable bite.

Simple ingredients come together effortlessly, making this recipe accessible for both novice and experienced cooks.

Minimal prep work means you can enjoy a restaurant-quality meal without hours of kitchen labor.

Prepare to fall in love with this irresistible comfort classic that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Creamy Garlic Chicken with Rich, Savory Flavors

• Whip Up Quick Comfort: This recipe delivers a creamy, satisfying meal that comes together faster than ordering takeout, perfect for busy weeknights when you want something delicious without complicated steps.
• Impress Without Stress: Packed with rich flavors from Parmesan, garlic, and herbs, the dish looks and tastes gourmet but requires minimal cooking skills, making it ideal for home cooks of all experience levels.
• One-Pan Wonder: Minimizing cleanup with a single skillet approach, this chicken recipe saves time on both preparation and post-meal kitchen maintenance, letting you enjoy your meal without dreading dish duty.
• Crowd-Pleasing Protein: Versatile enough for family dinners, date nights, or casual gatherings, the creamy garlic sauce transforms simple chicken into a restaurant-quality entrée that appeals to multiple taste preferences.

Ingredients for Creamy Garlic Chicken

• Chicken Breasts: Tender and lean meat that serves as the primary protein for this creamy garlic dish.

• Olive Oil, Butter: Provide rich flavor and help with cooking and sauce creation.

• Chicken Broth, Heavy Cream: Create a smooth and luxurious base for the creamy sauce.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, nutty flavor and helps thicken the sauce.

• Garlic: Brings a robust and pungent flavor to both the chicken and the cream sauce.
• Thyme, Basil, Italian Herbs: Contribute fresh and aromatic herbal notes to enhance the overall taste.

• Salt, Pepper: Essential for enhancing and balancing the flavors of the chicken and sauce.

• Fresh Parsley: Adds a bright, fresh finish and visual appeal to the dish.

How to Prepare Creamy Garlic Chicken Perfectly

Step 1: Warm Up The Skillet

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat to create a perfect cooking surface for the chicken.

Step 2: Season The Chicken

Sprinkle salt and pepper generously over both sides of the chicken breasts, ensuring even coating for maximum flavor.

Step 3: Cook The Chicken

Place seasoned chicken in the hot skillet and cook until golden brown and fully cooked.

Flip once during cooking, allowing 6-7 minutes per side.

Once done, transfer chicken to a separate plate.

Step 4: Create The Creamy Base

• Chicken broth
• Heavy cream
• Parmesan cheese
• Minced garlic
• Thyme
• Basil

Stir ingredients together and bring to a gentle simmer.

Step 5: Thicken The Sauce

Allow sauce to simmer and reduce, stirring occasionally until it reaches a slightly thickened consistency, approximately 5-7 minutes.

Step 6: Reunite Chicken With Sauce

Return cooked chicken to the skillet, gently spooning the creamy sauce over the top to coat evenly.

Step 7: Final Warming

Let chicken simmer in the sauce for an additional 3-5 minutes, ensuring it’s heated through and absorbing all the delicious flavors.

Step 8: Garnish And Serve

Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley over the chicken and sauce, creating a beautiful and appetizing presentation.

Pro Tips for Smooth and Flavorful Creamy Garlic Chicken

• Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels before seasoning to achieve a golden-brown crust and prevent steaming.
• Gradually add cream to the skillet and stir constantly to create a smooth, cohesive sauce without curdling.
• Use fresh thyme and basil instead of dried herbs for a more vibrant and aromatic flavor profile.
• Swap heavy cream with coconut cream and serve over cauliflower rice for a keto-friendly alternative.
• Roast garlic beforehand for a deeper, mellower flavor that adds complexity to the creamy sauce.

Variations to Customize Creamy Garlic Chicken

• Dairy-Free Delight: Replace heavy cream with coconut milk and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese for a creamy, lactose-free version.
• Low-Carb Champion: Swap chicken breasts for turkey cutlets and serve over cauliflower rice to reduce carbohydrate content.
• Mediterranean Marvel: Add sun-dried tomatoes, kalamata olives, and swap thyme with oregano for a Greek-inspired flavor profile.
• Spicy Sensation: Incorporate red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, and add diced jalapeños to the sauce for a hot and zesty kick.

Serving Suggestions for Creamy Garlic Chicken

• Pasta Paradise: Serve this chicken over a bed of fettuccine or linguine to soak up the rich, creamy sauce and add delightful texture.
• Veggie Companion: Pair with roasted asparagus, sautéed green beans, or a crisp garden salad to balance the richness of the creamy chicken.
• Wine Harmony: Complement the dish with a chilled glass of Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio, which beautifully matches the creamy garlic flavors and cuts through the sauce's richness.
• Fresh Finish: Sprinkle extra fresh parsley or chopped chives on top just before serving to add a bright, herbal pop of color and freshness.

Storage Advice for Creamy Garlic Chicken

• Store leftover chicken in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Wrap chicken and sauce separately in freezer-safe containers or bags. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Label with date for easy tracking.
• Place chicken on microwave-safe plate, cover with damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring sauce between cycles. Check internal temperature reaches 165°F to ensure food safety.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place chicken in baking dish, add splash of chicken broth to prevent drying. Cover with foil and warm for 10-15 minutes until heated through. Stir sauce halfway to maintain moisture and even heating.

FAQs

• What are the key ingredients for the garlic cream sauce?

The key ingredients are butter, minced garlic, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and Italian herbs.

• Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Yes, chicken thighs work well in this recipe and can be a more flavorful alternative to chicken breasts.

• How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

The chicken is cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and has a golden brown exterior.

• Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?

Yes, this creamy garlic chicken can be prepared ahead of time and reheated, making it great for weekly meal planning.

Creamy Garlic Chicken Recipe

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4.8 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent garlic chicken emerges as a delightful dinner solution for busy home cooks. Rich flavors merge seamlessly with tender meat, promising a satisfying meal that delivers comfort and classic taste in minutes.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Herbs and Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (basil, oregano, thyme)
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic (about 3 cloves)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Liquids and Dairy:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream (2 times in the recipe)
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (1/2 cup used twice)

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Instructions

1. Warm a large skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat until surface shimmers with heat.
2. Generously coat chicken breasts with salt and pepper, ensuring even seasoning across entire surface.
3. Place seasoned chicken into hot skillet, cooking until golden brown and crisp exterior develops, approximately 6-7 minutes per side.
4. Transfer perfectly cooked chicken to a separate plate, keeping warm.
5. Without cleaning skillet, pour chicken broth, creating a flavorful base for sauce.
6. Immediately add heavy cream, creating a rich liquid environment for developing complex flavors.
7. Incorporate freshly grated Parmesan cheese, allowing it to melt smoothly into developing sauce.
8. Introduce minced garlic, thyme, and basil, stirring continuously to distribute aromatics evenly.
9. Reduce heat and allow sauce to gently simmer, watching as liquid gradually thickens, approximately 5-7 minutes.
10. Carefully return chicken to skillet, nestling pieces into creamy sauce.
11. Spoon sauce generously over chicken, ensuring complete coating and reheating for 3-5 minutes.
12. Separately, melt butter in a secondary pan over gentle heat.
13. Sauté additional minced garlic until fragrant and lightly golden.
14. Blend heavy cream, more Parmesan, and Italian herbs into butter mixture.
15. Simmer secondary sauce until reaching desired consistency, approximately 5 minutes.
16. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
17. Plate chicken and drench with luxurious garlic cream sauce.
18. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley as final garnish for visual appeal and brightness.

Notes

• Perfectly sear chicken by patting it dry before seasoning to achieve a beautiful golden-brown crust that locks in moisture and flavor.
• Customize the sauce’s thickness by adjusting cream and cheese ratios, allowing for a lighter or more indulgent version based on personal preference.
• Make this dish low-carb and keto-friendly by replacing heavy cream with coconut cream and ensuring all ingredients are sugar-free.
• Create a dairy-free alternative by substituting Parmesan with nutritional yeast and using plant-based cream alternatives like cashew or almond cream.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 463 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 320 mg
• Fat: 37 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 4 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 145 mg