Creamy Garlic Chicken | Tender, Juicy & Packed with Flavor

🎉 Introduction

When comfort meets elegance on a dinner plate, you get Creamy Garlic Chicken—a dish that’s as easy to prepare as it is luxurious to eat. Featuring tender chicken bathed in a rich garlic cream sauce, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into a mouthwatering centerpiece for any meal.

Garlic lovers will rejoice—this recipe uses both fresh garlic cloves and garlic powder for a deep, layered flavor. Combined with Parmesan cheese, Italian herbs, and a touch of spice from paprika and red pepper flakes, it’s a creamy, savory, and slightly zesty delight.

The best part? This creamy chicken is ready in about 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights yet elegant enough for weekend entertaining. Serve it over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes to soak up every drop of the velvety sauce.

🧰 Equipment Needed

• Large skillet or sauté pan
• Cutting board & knife
• Measuring cups & spoons
• Garlic press (optional)
• Tongs (for flipping chicken)
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Small whisk

🛒 Ingredients

Fruits & Vegetables:

• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Fresh parsley (for garnish)

Canned Goods:

• 1 cup chicken broth

Culinary Aids & Spices:

• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Dairy Products:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons olive oil or unsalted butter
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

• Pat chicken breasts dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken

1. Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add chicken and sear for 4–5 minutes per side until golden and nearly cooked through.
3. Transfer to a plate and keep warm.

Step 3: Make the Garlic Cream Sauce

1. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium.
2. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Stir in chicken broth, scraping up browned bits from the pan.
4. Add heavy cream, garlic powder, Parmesan, and red pepper flakes.
5. Simmer for 3–4 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.

Step 4: Finish the Dish

• Return chicken to skillet, spoon sauce over the top, and simmer 2–3 minutes until chicken is fully cooked.

Step 5: Garnish & Serve

• Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve hot over pasta, mashed potatoes, or rice.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 4
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Refrigerator:

• Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freezer:

• Freeze cooked chicken without cream sauce for up to 2 months. Add sauce fresh when reheating for best results.

Reheating:

• Warm gently in a skillet over low heat with a splash of broth to prevent sauce from separating.

🥄 Variations

• Mushroom Creamy Garlic Chicken: Add sautéed mushrooms for extra earthiness.
• Spinach Creamy Garlic Chicken: Stir fresh spinach into sauce before serving.
• Lemon Garlic Chicken: Add a tablespoon of lemon juice for brightness.
• Bacon-Style Twist: Replace with turkey bacon for added smokiness.
• Herb Swap: Try fresh thyme or rosemary instead of Italian seasoning.
• Low-Carb Option: Serve over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles.
• Extra Cheesy: Increase Parmesan to ¾ cup for a richer sauce.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes—thighs will be juicier and work perfectly in this recipe.

2. Can I use half-and-half instead of heavy cream?

Yes, but sauce will be slightly thinner.

3. How do I prevent sauce from curdling?

Simmer gently and avoid high heat once cream is added.

4. Can I make this dairy-free?

Yes—use coconut cream and dairy-free Parmesan.

5. Is this gluten-free?

Yes—this recipe contains no flour.

6. Can I make it ahead?

Yes—cook chicken and sauce separately, then reheat together before serving.

7. What sides go best with this?

Mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, rice, or pasta.

8. How do I thicken the sauce more?

Simmer a few extra minutes or add 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with water.

9. Can I use pre-minced garlic?

Yes, but fresh garlic will give better flavor.

10. Can I double this recipe?

Absolutely—just use a larger skillet or cook chicken in batches.

🏁 Conclusion

The Creamy Garlic Chicken recipe is the perfect combination of bold garlic flavor, rich creaminess, and tender chicken. Whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or yourself, this easy skillet dish delivers restaurant-quality flavor in just 30 minutes.

Adam

Creamy Garlic Chicken | Tender, Juicy & Packed with Flavor

When comfort meets elegance on a dinner plate, you get Creamy Garlic Chicken—a dish that’s as easy to prepare as it is luxurious to eat. Featuring tender chicken bathed in a rich garlic cream sauce, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into a mouthwatering centerpiece for any meal. Garlic lovers will rejoice—this recipe uses both fresh garlic cloves and garlic powder for a deep, layered flavor. Combined with Parmesan cheese, Italian herbs, and a touch of spice from paprika and red pepper flakes, it’s a creamy, savory, and slightly zesty delight. The best part? This creamy chicken is ready in about 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights yet elegant enough for weekend entertaining. Serve it over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes to soak up every drop of the velvety sauce.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Fruits & Vegetables:

• 6 garlic cloves minced
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Canned Goods:

• 1 cup chicken broth

Culinary Aids & Spices:

• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Salt and pepper to taste

Dairy Products:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons olive oil or unsalted butter
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese grated

Equipment

• Large skillet or sauté pan
• Cutting board & knife
• Measuring cups & spoons
• Garlic press (optional)
• Tongs (for flipping chicken)
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Small whisk

Method

 

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

1. Pat chicken breasts dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken

1. Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add chicken and sear for 4–5 minutes per side until golden and nearly cooked through.
3. Transfer to a plate and keep warm.

Step 3: Make the Garlic Cream Sauce

1. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium.
2. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Stir in chicken broth, scraping up browned bits from the pan.
4. Add heavy cream, garlic powder, Parmesan, and red pepper flakes.
5. Simmer for 3–4 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.

Step 4: Finish the Dish

1. Return chicken to skillet, spoon sauce over the top, and simmer 2–3 minutes until chicken is fully cooked.

Step 5: Garnish & Serve

1. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve hot over pasta, mashed potatoes, or rice.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator:

Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freezer:

Freeze cooked chicken without cream sauce for up to 2 months. Add sauce fresh when reheating for best results.

Reheating:

Warm gently in a skillet over low heat with a splash of broth to prevent sauce from separating.

🥄 Variations
Mushroom Creamy Garlic Chicken: Add sautéed mushrooms for extra earthiness.

Spinach Creamy Garlic Chicken: Stir fresh spinach into sauce before serving.

Lemon Garlic Chicken: Add a tablespoon of lemon juice for brightness.

Bacon-Style Twist: Replace with turkey bacon for added smokiness.

Herb Swap: Try fresh thyme or rosemary instead of Italian seasoning.

Low-Carb Option: Serve over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles.

Extra Cheesy: Increase Parmesan to ¾ cup for a richer sauce.

❓ 10 FAQs
1. Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes—thighs will be juicier and work perfectly in this recipe.

2. Can I use half-and-half instead of heavy cream?
Yes, but sauce will be slightly thinner.

3. How do I prevent sauce from curdling?
Simmer gently and avoid high heat once cream is added.

4. Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes—use coconut cream and dairy-free Parmesan.

5. Is this gluten-free?
Yes—this recipe contains no flour.

6. Can I make it ahead?
Yes—cook chicken and sauce separately, then reheat together before serving.

7. What sides go best with this?
Mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, rice, or pasta.

8. How do I thicken the sauce more?
Simmer a few extra minutes or add 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with water.

9. Can I use pre-minced garlic?
Yes, but fresh garlic will give better flavor.

10. Can I double this recipe?
Absolutely—just use a larger skillet or cook chicken in batches.

🏁 Conclusion
The Creamy Garlic Chicken recipe is the perfect combination of bold garlic flavor, rich creaminess, and tender chicken. Whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or yourself, this easy skillet dish delivers restaurant-quality flavor in just 30 minutes.