Irresistibly Creamy Garlic Chicken Recipe That Wows Every Time

Whipping up a delightful garlic chicken recipe promises pure culinary magic for busy home cooks.

Fragrant herbs and rich cream blend seamlessly in this straightforward dish.

Subtle garlic notes dance through tender chicken pieces, creating layers of incredible flavor.

Weeknight dinners suddenly become extraordinary with minimal preparation and maximum satisfaction.

Kitchen novices and seasoned chefs alike will adore this simple yet sophisticated meal.

Comfort meets elegance in one skillet, making you the hero of dinnertime.

Dive right in and experience how effortlessly delicious home cooking can be.

Serving Ideas for a Cozy Dinner

• Cozy Family Dinner Night: Serve this creamy garlic chicken with fluffy mashed potatoes that soak up the rich sauce, creating a comforting meal everyone will love.
• Elegant Dinner Party Presentation: Slice the chicken and fan it out on a white plate, drizzling the velvety sauce over the top and garnishing with extra fresh parsley for a sophisticated touch.
• Low-Carb Wellness Plate: Pair the chicken with roasted zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice to keep the meal light and nutritious while maintaining the incredible flavor profile.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Spread: Accompany the dish with a crisp Greek salad and warm garlic bread to complement the creamy chicken and provide delightful texture contrasts.

Tips to Store and Reheat Leftovers

• Refrigerate leftover chicken in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, ensuring it's completely cooled before storing.
• Keep the sauce and chicken separate to maintain the best texture and prevent sogginess.
• Freeze portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months, wrapping tightly to prevent freezer burn.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

FAQs

• Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Yes, chicken thighs work perfectly and will provide a more tender and flavorful result. Just adjust cooking time slightly as thighs might take a few minutes longer to cook through.

• What if I don't have parmesan cheese?

You can substitute with other hard cheeses like pecorino romano or asiago. If you don’t have those, skip the cheese and the sauce will still be delicious and creamy.

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

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, cut into the thickest part of the chicken to ensure there’s no pink and the juices run clear.

What Makes Creamy Garlic Chicken a Comfort Classic

• Create a Flavor Explosion: Dive into a mouthwatering blend of creamy garlic sauce that transforms ordinary chicken into a restaurant-worthy dish bursting with rich, complex flavors.
• Master One-Pan Magic: Simplify your cooking with a single skillet technique that minimizes cleanup and maximizes convenience, perfect for busy home cooks looking for a stress-free meal solution.
• Impress Without Stress: Achieve gourmet-level results with straightforward steps that don't require advanced culinary skills, making this recipe accessible to cooks of all experience levels.
• Quick Weeknight Wonder: Prepare a delicious dinner in under half an hour, ensuring you can serve a satisfying meal even on the busiest evenings without sacrificing taste or quality.

Ingredients for a Flavorful and Creamy Chicken Dish

• Chicken Breasts: Tender and lean meat that serves as the main protein in this creamy dish.

• Butter, Olive Oil: Provide rich flavor and help achieve a golden-brown sear on the chicken.

• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the natural flavor of the chicken.
• Minced Garlic: Adds a bold, aromatic flavor to the sauce.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright garnish that adds a fresh, herbal touch to the finished dish.

• Chicken Broth: Creates the base of the sauce and helps deglaze the pan.
• Heavy Cream: Provides a rich, velvety texture to the sauce.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, nutty depth of flavor and helps thicken the sauce.

How to Prepare Creamy Garlic Chicken with Ease

Step 1: Prep and Season Chicken

Trim any excess fat from chicken breasts. Sprinkle both sides generously with salt and pepper to enhance the flavor profile.

Step 2: Sizzle and Brown Chicken

• Butter
• Olive oil

Place chicken breasts in the hot skillet.

Cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until a beautiful golden-brown crust forms. Transfer chicken to a clean plate and set aside.

Step 3: Awaken the Garlic

In the same skillet with remaining oil and butter, drop in minced garlic. Stir quickly and cook until the garlic becomes fragrant and slightly golden, releasing its aromatic essence.

Step 4: Create Luxurious Sauce

• Heavy cream
• Parmesan cheese

Allow the sauce to simmer and gradually thicken, creating a rich and velvety consistency.

Step 5: Reunite Chicken with Sauce

Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet. Gently nestle them into the creamy sauce.

Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, ensuring the chicken is completely cooked through and absorbs the incredible flavors.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the chicken.

Transfer to serving plates and drizzle any remaining sauce on top. Enjoy this comforting, restaurant-quality meal with your favorite side dishes.

Notes for Achieving the Perfect Sauce

• Opt for chicken breasts of similar size to ensure even cooking and prevent dry or undercooked sections.
• Pat chicken completely dry before seasoning to achieve a perfect golden-brown sear that locks in moisture.
• Use freshly grated parmesan cheese for a richer, more authentic flavor compared to pre-packaged alternatives.
• Create a low-carb version by replacing chicken broth with heavy cream and adding extra herbs like thyme or rosemary for depth.
• Prevent sauce from breaking by keeping heat low and stirring continuously while simmering, which helps maintain a smooth, creamy consistency.

Flavor Variations to Keep It Interesting

• Low-Carb Herb Chicken: Replace heavy cream with coconut cream and add dried thyme and rosemary for a keto-friendly version.
• Mediterranean Chicken Variation: Swap parmesan with feta cheese, add sun-dried tomatoes, and use Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Use almond milk and nutritional yeast instead of heavy cream and parmesan, creating a lighter sauce for lactose-intolerant individuals.
• Spicy Cajun Spin: Incorporate cajun seasoning, replace parsley with green onions, and add a dash of cayenne pepper for heat.

Tender Garlic Chicken Recipe

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4.5 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Savory garlic chicken brings comfort and elegance to weeknight dinners. Home cooks can easily master this creamy Italian-inspired classic that delivers rich flavors with minimal preparation time.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 chicken breasts
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese

Cooking Fats:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Seasonings and Garnish:

• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley

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Instructions

1. Generously coat chicken breasts with salt and pepper for enhanced flavor profile.
2. Heat skillet with butter and olive oil, creating a sizzling surface for golden-brown searing of chicken pieces.
3. Cook chicken until exterior develops rich, caramelized coloration; transfer to separate plate and reserve.
4. Reduce skillet heat and introduce minced garlic, allowing aromatic essence to permeate cooking surface.
5. Deglaze pan with chicken broth, carefully lifting embedded flavor-rich caramelized remnants from bottom of skillet.
6. Incorporate heavy cream and parmesan cheese, whisking smoothly to create luxurious, velvety sauce consistency.
7. Allow sauce to gently simmer and thicken over medium-low temperature for approximately 3-4 minutes.
8. Reintroduce seared chicken into sauce, ensuring each piece becomes thoroughly coated and heated to internal temperature of 165°F.
9. Continue cooking chicken in sauce for additional 5-6 minutes until completely tender and fully cooked.
10. Remove from heat, sprinkle freshly chopped parsley across surface for vibrant color and aromatic garnish.
11. Plate immediately, drizzling remaining sauce over chicken for maximum flavor presentation.

Notes

• Opt for skinless, boneless chicken breasts to ensure even cooking and easier preparation.
• Patting chicken dry before seasoning helps achieve a perfect golden-brown sear, creating a delicious crispy exterior.
• Use freshly grated parmesan for a richer, more intense flavor compared to pre-packaged cheese.
• For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or Greek yogurt, reducing overall calories while maintaining creamy texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 450 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 4 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg