If you’re on the hunt for a comforting, restaurant-quality dish that’s easy to whip up at home, look no further than Creamy Garlic Chicken. This dish is the perfect blend of tender, golden-seared chicken and a rich, velvety garlic sauce that will have everyone at the table reaching for seconds.
The best part? It all comes together in one skillet, making cleanup a breeze. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or simply craving a cozy meal, this recipe is a must-try.
Why You’ll Love Creamy Garlic Chicken
- Rich and Flavorful Sauce: The creamy garlic sauce is infused with caramelized garlic, Parmesan cheese, and a medley of seasonings that create a symphony of flavors.
- Simple Ingredients: You likely already have most of these ingredients in your pantry or fridge.
- One-Skillet Wonder: Fewer dishes mean more time to enjoy your meal and less time cleaning up.
- Customizable: Add mushrooms, vegetables, or even swap out the chicken for another protein to make it your own.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Chicken:
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 3 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 4 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, shredded
- 3–4 tablespoons olive oil
For the Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 10 garlic cloves, peeled
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 beef bouillon cube (or 1 teaspoon Better Than Bouillon)
- 1 teaspoon low-sodium soy sauce (or Worcestershire sauce)
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ cup heavy cream
- Optional: ½ cup Parmesan cheese
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prep Work:
- Combine the Sauce Ingredients: In a medium bowl, mix together chicken broth, bouillon, soy sauce, onion powder, mustard powder, and thyme. Set aside.
- Prepare the Flour Mixture: On a plate, combine the flour and Parmesan cheese. Measure out all other ingredients before starting to cook for a smooth workflow.
Cut, Pound, Dredge, and Sear the Chicken:
- Slice and Pound: Slice each chicken breast lengthwise into 2–3 thinner pieces. Place them in a freezer bag or between sheets of plastic wrap and pound to an even thickness of about ½ inch using the textured side of a meat mallet. Pat dry with paper towels.
- Season and Dredge: Season both sides of the chicken with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Dredge each piece in the flour mixture, ensuring both sides are coated. Shake off any excess flour.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in batches, cooking each side for 4–5 minutes until golden brown. Set aside on a plate and leave any browned bits (fond) in the pan—this will add incredible flavor to your sauce.
Make the Creamy Garlic Sauce:
- Caramelize the Garlic: Reduce the heat to medium or medium-low and melt the butter in the same skillet. Add the garlic cloves and cook for 6–7 minutes until softened and caramelized, stirring occasionally.
- Create a Roux: Sprinkle in the flour and whisk for 1–2 minutes until it turns golden and loses its raw smell.
- Add Liquid Ingredients: Gradually add the chicken broth mixture to the skillet in small splashes, stirring constantly to create a smooth base for your sauce.
- Incorporate Cream and Parmesan: Stir in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle boil before reducing the heat to low. If desired, add Parmesan cheese for extra richness and depth of flavor.
Finish the Dish:
- Reintroduce the Chicken: Return the cooked chicken (along with any juices from the plate) to the skillet. Spoon some of the sauce over each piece of chicken. Cover with a lid and let simmer on low heat for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving. Pair with mashed potatoes and roasted green beans for a complete meal that everyone will love!
Tips for Perfect Creamy Garlic Chicken
- Searing Tips:
- Use medium-high heat for an even golden crust. If your chicken sticks to the pan, it’s not ready to flip—give it another minute or two to release naturally.
- Adjust heat as needed to avoid burning or smoking oil.
- Control Sodium Levels: Use low-sodium chicken broth and reduce or omit the bouillon if you’re watching your salt intake.
- Add Vegetables: Mushrooms are a fantastic addition! Sauté them separately to maintain their texture and stir them into the sauce at the end. Spinach or asparagus also work well as mix-ins or sides.
- Storage Tips: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge if frozen, then warm in a covered casserole dish at 350°F for 20–25 minutes or microwave until heated through.
FAQs
Can I use bone-in chicken for this recipe?
Yes! Bone-in chicken thighs or drumsticks work well but may require additional cooking time to ensure they’re fully cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F).
What can I serve with Creamy Garlic Chicken?
This dish pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta to soak up the creamy sauce. For veggies, roasted green beans, asparagus, or sautéed spinach are excellent choices.
How do I make this dairy-free?
You can substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese for a dairy-free version of this recipe.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely! The chicken can be seared ahead of time and stored separately from the sauce in the fridge for up to a day. When ready to serve, reheat everything together in a skillet until warmed through.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
To make this recipe gluten-free, swap out all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch for dredging and thickening.
Final Thoughts
Creamy Garlic Chicken is more than just dinner—it’s an experience of indulgent flavors wrapped in simplicity. From the caramelized garlic to the rich Parmesan-infused sauce, every bite is pure comfort food bliss. Whether you’re cooking for your family or entertaining guests, this one-skillet wonder is sure to impress without adding stress.
So grab your skillet and give this recipe a try—you’ll be savoring every creamy, garlicky bite!
Print
Creamy Garlic Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Creamy Garlic Chicken is smothered in a rich, flavorful gravy made in a single skillet. Caramelized garlic cloves and a creamy Parmesan sauce make this dish an indulgent and comforting meal. Perfect for serving with mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables!
Ingredients
Chicken:
2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
Salt/Pepper
3 teaspoons Italian seasoning
½ cup all-purpose flour
4 Tablespoons Parmesan cheese, shredded
3–4 Tablespoons olive oil
Sauce:
3 Tablespoons unsalted butter
10 cloves garlic
3 Tablespoons flour
2 ½ cups chicken broth
1 beef bouillon cube or 1 teaspoon Better Than Bouillon
1 teaspoon low-sodium soy sauce (or Worcestershire sauce)
1 teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon mustard powder
½ teaspoon dried thyme
½ cup heavy cream
½ cup Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
Prep Work:
Combine the chicken broth, bouillon, soy sauce, onion powder, mustard powder, and thyme. Set aside.
Mix the flour and Parmesan cheese on a plate. Measure out all ingredients before starting.
Prepare Chicken:
Slice chicken into 2-3 thinner pieces. Place in a freezer bag or between plastic wrap and pound to ½ inch thickness. Pat dry.
Season both sides with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Dredge in the flour/Parmesan mixture, tapping off excess.
Sear Chicken:
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Sear chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown. Set aside and leave brown bits (fond) in the pan.
Make the Sauce:
Melt butter in the skillet over medium heat and use a spatula to scrape up the browned bits.
Add garlic cloves and caramelize for 6-7 minutes.
Sprinkle in flour and whisk for 1-2 minutes until lightly browned.
Gradually add the chicken broth mixture, stirring constantly.
Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese (if using).
Finish the Dish:
Return chicken to the skillet with any juices. Spoon sauce over the chicken.
Cover and cook for 5 minutes on low heat. The sauce will thicken during this time.
Serve:
Garnish with parsley and serve with mashed potatoes and roasted green beans.
Notes
- Searing Tips: Adjust heat to avoid burning and ensure even browning. If chicken sticks, it’s not ready to flip.
- Low-Sodium Option: Use low-sodium chicken broth and reduce bouillon for less salt.
- Additions: Sautéed mushrooms make a great addition to the sauce. Cook them separately and stir in at the end.
- Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in the microwave or bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 508 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 1060 mg
- Fat: 37 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 111 mg
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