If Creamy Garlic Chicken were a person, it’d be that neighbor who shows up with a casserole when you’ve had a long day—comforting, dependable, and just a little indulgent. This recipe is my secret weapon for those “what’s-for-dinner” standoffs in my house. It’s quick enough for a Tuesday night, fancy enough to impress company, and guaranteed to make your kitchen smell downright heavenly.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Garlic Chicken
Let’s face it—weeknight cooking can feel like an Olympic sport. But with this recipe, you’ll have a rich, flavorful chicken dish on the table in about 30 minutes without dirtying every pot in your kitchen. It’s creamy, garlicky, and downright soul-soothing.
Ingredients
- Chicken breasts – Lean and tender, perfect for soaking up that sauce.
- Garlic cloves – Fresh, for the best flavor (minced from the jar if we’re being real).
- Heavy cream – For that velvety sauce that makes you want to lick the spoon.
- Chicken broth – Adds depth without overpowering the garlic.
- Butter – Because flavor. Enough said.
- Olive oil – Helps sear the chicken to golden perfection.
- Fresh parsley – For a pop of color and freshness.
- Parmesan cheese – A salty, nutty kick that rounds out the sauce.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Sear the chicken – Heat olive oil and a little butter in a large skillet. Season your chicken with salt and pepper, then sear until golden brown on both sides. Don’t rush this—those browned bits are flavor gold.
- Make it garlicky – Add minced garlic to the skillet. Stir for about a minute until fragrant. Try not to let it burn unless you like “bitter” as a flavor profile.
- Build the sauce – Pour in chicken broth to deglaze, scraping up the yummy bits from the bottom. Add heavy cream and Parmesan, stirring until smooth.
- Simmer and serve – Nestle the chicken back into the sauce, let it bubble gently until fully cooked, then garnish with fresh parsley. Serve over mashed potatoes, pasta, or steamed veggies.
Cooking Tips
- If your sauce is too thick, splash in more broth. Too thin? Let it simmer longer.
- For a lighter twist, swap heavy cream with half-and-half—but keep in mind you’ll lose some of that luscious texture.
- Leftovers? This reheats beautifully, so make a double batch for easy lunches.
Personal Story
I first made this dish after a Sunday at church when I realized we had company coming over—unexpectedly. I didn’t have time for a complicated menu, so I threw together chicken, garlic, cream, and whatever else I had in the fridge. Thirty minutes later, everyone was dipping bread into the skillet like it was their last meal. That’s when I knew this was a keeper.
FAQs
Can I make this ahead?
Yes! Store it in an airtight container and reheat gently over low heat.
Can I use chicken thighs instead?
Absolutely—thighs will give you a richer, juicier bite.
Is this keto-friendly?
Sure is. Just skip the pasta and serve with zucchini noodles or cauliflower mash for a low-carb dinner.
So the next time your weeknight feels like a runaway train, remember—Creamy Garlic Chicken is your quick, flavorful lifeline. Pair it with a side salad and maybe a little keto dessert for a complete meal that feels like you fussed way more than you did.
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Creamy Garlic Chicken That Feels Like a Hug in a Skillet
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This Creamy Garlic Chicken is a 30‑minute, one‑skillet weeknight lifesaver: juicy seared chicken breasts in a luscious parmesan‑garlic cream sauce. Family‑friendly, low‑carb, and perfect over mashed potatoes, pasta, or steamed veggies.
Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (6–7 oz each) — main protein
1 teaspoon kosher salt — to season chicken
1/2 teaspoon black pepper — to season chicken
1/2 teaspoon paprika — optional, adds color and mild warmth
1 tablespoon olive oil — for searing
2 tablespoons unsalted butter — flavor and browning
6 garlic cloves, minced — bold garlic base
1/2 cup low‑sodium chicken broth — deglaze and depth
1 cup heavy cream — rich, silky sauce
1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese — salty, nutty finish
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice — optional, brightens the sauce
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley — fresh color to finish
Instructions
1. Pat chicken dry. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and paprika.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium‑high. Add olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter.
3. Sear chicken 4–5 minutes per side until deep golden (internal temp ~160°F). Transfer to a plate; tent with foil.
4. Lower heat to medium. Add remaining 1 tablespoon butter and minced garlic; sauté 30–45 seconds until fragrant (don’t brown).
5. Pour in chicken broth to deglaze, scraping up browned bits with a wooden spoon.
6. Stir in heavy cream; bring to a gentle simmer.
7. Whisk in Parmesan until smooth and slightly thickened, 2–3 minutes.
8. Return chicken and any juices to the skillet; simmer 3–5 minutes, spooning sauce over, until chicken reaches 165°F.
9. Stir in lemon juice (if using). Remove from heat; sprinkle with parsley.
10. Serve immediately with your favorite sides. Spoon plenty of sauce over each piece.
Notes
Exact yield: 4 servings.
Make‑ahead: Cook chicken to 160°F, hold; finish in sauce to 165°F before serving.
Lighter swap: Use 1 cup half‑and‑half + 1 teaspoon cornstarch (whisked into the cold half‑and‑half) for a lighter sauce.
Thigh option: Substitute 6 small boneless skinless thighs; sear 5–6 minutes per side.
Gluten‑free: As written (check broth and cheese labels).
Serving ideas: Zucchini noodles or cauliflower mash (keto); or egg noodles, rice, or mashed potatoes for the rest of the family.
Storage: Refrigerate up to 4 days; reheat gently over low heat, thinning with a splash of broth if needed.
Ingredient measurements are exact above; copy to your card as needed.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Chicken Dinner Recipes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with ~1/4 cup sauce (about 240 g)
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 215 mg
Keywords: Creamy Garlic Chicken, Creamy Garlic Chicken Recipes, Health Dinner Recipes, Abendessen Rezepte, Chicken Dishes Recipes, Chicken Dinner Recipes, Chicken Breast Recipes, Resipi Kek, Keto Dessert