EASY CREAMY GARLIC CHICKEN

Gather Your Ingredients

Alright, let’s get started! Here’s what you’ll need to whip up this incredible Creamy Garlic Chicken. Don’t worry, most of these are kitchen staples!

For the Chicken:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

For the Creamy Garlic Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced (or more, if you’re a garlic lover like me!)
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (for garnish, optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little kick!)

Let’s Get Cooking: Step-by-Step Instructions

Okay, it’s time to transform these ingredients into something amazing! Follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a restaurant-quality Creamy Garlic Chicken in no time.

Step 1: Prep the Chicken

1. First, pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. This helps them get a nice sear.
2. In a small bowl, mix together the salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
3. Sprinkle this seasoning mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts, making sure they’re well coated.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken

1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. You want the skillet hot enough so the chicken sears nicely but not so hot it burns.
2. Carefully place the seasoned chicken breasts into the hot skillet, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. If your skillet isn’t big enough, you may need to cook the chicken in batches.
3. Sear the chicken for about 5-7 minutes per side, or until it’s golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer to be sure!
4. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.

Step 3: Make the Creamy Garlic Sauce

1. In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
2. Add the minced garlic to the melted butter and cook for about 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic – burnt garlic is bitter!
3. Pour in the chicken broth and bring it to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. These browned bits are full of flavor!
4. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese.
5. If you like a little heat, add the red pepper flakes at this point.
6. Simmer the sauce for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly.

Step 4: Combine and Serve

1. Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet and nestle them into the creamy garlic sauce.
2. Spoon the sauce over the chicken, ensuring it’s nicely coated.
3. Simmer for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the chicken to warm through and absorb the flavors of the sauce.
4. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.
5. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips and Tricks for Creamy Garlic Chicken Perfection

Here are a few extra tips to help you achieve Creamy Garlic Chicken nirvana!

• Don’t Overcook the Chicken: Overcooked chicken is dry and tough. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F (74°C).
• Adjust the Garlic: If you’re a garlic fiend (like me!), feel free to add more garlic to the sauce. Just be mindful not to burn it.
• Thicken the Sauce: If your sauce isn’t thick enough, you can whisk together 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water and stir it into the sauce. Simmer for a minute or two until thickened.
• Add Veggies: Feel free to add some vegetables to the skillet while the sauce is simmering. Sautéed spinach, broccoli florets, or sliced mushrooms would be delicious additions.

Serving Suggestions: Complete Your Creamy Garlic Chicken Feast

Creamy Garlic Chicken is incredibly versatile. Here are some of my favorite ways to serve it:

• Pasta: Serve it over your favorite pasta, such as linguine, fettuccine, or spaghetti. Toss the pasta with the creamy garlic sauce for an extra-delicious meal. You might also enjoy Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken & Linguine!
• Rice: Serve it with steamed rice or mashed potatoes. The creamy sauce is perfect for soaking into the rice or potatoes.
• Vegetables: Serve it with a side of roasted vegetables, such as broccoli, asparagus, or carrots. Or, try serving it with Air Fryer Cauliflower.
• Bread: Serve it with crusty bread or garlic bread for dipping into the creamy sauce.

Variations to Keep Things Interesting

Want to mix things up a bit? Here are some fun variations to try:

• Creamy Garlic Mushroom Chicken: Add sliced mushrooms to the skillet when you cook the garlic.
• Creamy Garlic Spinach Chicken: Add fresh spinach to the skillet during the last few minutes of cooking.
• Creamy Garlic Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken: Add sun-dried tomatoes to the sauce for a tangy flavor.
• Creamy Garlic Chicken with Bacon: Cook some bacon in the skillet before you sear the chicken. Crumble the bacon and sprinkle it over the finished dish.
• Crockpot Version: For an even easier version, consider trying something like Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken & Potatoes or Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

Planning ahead? Here’s how to make and store your Creamy Garlic Chicken:

• Make-Ahead: You can prepare the chicken and the sauce separately ahead of time. Store them in the refrigerator and combine them when you’re ready to serve.
• Storage: Store leftover Creamy Garlic Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheating: Reheat the chicken in the microwave or in a skillet over low heat. Add a splash of chicken broth or cream if the sauce has thickened too much.

More Delicious Recipes to Explore

If you enjoyed this Creamy Garlic Chicken recipe, be sure to check out these other fantastic dishes:

• For a hearty soup, try Crockpot Chicken Chowder.
• For a comforting side dish, try Cheesy Garlic Scalloped Potatoes.

The Creamy Garlic Chicken Conclusion

There you have it – a simple yet utterly delicious Creamy Garlic Chicken recipe that’s sure to become a family favorite. With its creamy sauce, tender chicken, and irresistible garlic flavor, it’s the perfect dish for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion. So go ahead, give it a try, and get ready to impress your family and friends!

Easy Creamy Garlic Chicken

Amelia Chen-Morrison

This Easy Creamy Garlic Chicken recipe delivers a restaurant-quality meal in the comfort of your own home. Tender chicken breasts are seared to golden perfection and then simmered in a rich and flavorful creamy garlic sauce, making it a family favorite for weeknight dinners or special occasions.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

• Large skillet
• Small bowl
• Measuring spoons
• Measuring cups
• Meat thermometer
• Paper towels
• Plate

Ingredients

  

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, for garnish optional
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional

Instructions

 

• Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels.
• In a small bowl, mix together the salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
• Sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts.
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Carefully place the seasoned chicken breasts into the hot skillet, making sure not to overcrowd the pan.
• Sear the chicken for about 5-7 minutes per side, or until it’s golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
• Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
• In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
• Add the minced garlic to the melted butter and cook for about 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
• Pour in the chicken broth and bring it to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
• Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese.
• Add the red pepper flakes, if desired.
• Simmer the sauce for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly.
• Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet and nestle them into the creamy garlic sauce.
• Spoon the sauce over the chicken, ensuring it’s nicely coated.
• Simmer for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the chicken to warm through and absorb the flavors of the sauce.
• Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.
• Serve immediately.

Notes

Don’t overcook the chicken. Adjust the garlic to your liking. To thicken the sauce, whisk 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water and stir it into the sauce. Add vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, or mushrooms. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a skillet over low heat. Add a splash of chicken broth or cream if the sauce has thickened too much. Serve over pasta, rice, vegetables, or with bread.