If you love rich, comforting flavors that come together easily, my Delicious Creamy Garlic Chicken Recipe is your new go-to for weeknight dinners and special occasions alike. Juicy chicken breasts are nestled in a velvety, garlicky sauce bursting with Parmesan and gentle herbs, making each bite downright irresistible. With a single skillet and a handful of simple ingredients, you can whip up a meal that looks and tastes straight from a cozy bistro. Whether you’re feeding the family or treating a friend, this recipe never fails to earn rave reviews.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of my favorite things about this recipe is how every ingredient serves a purpose. There’s nothing complicated here: just the essentials that come together to build big flavor and craveable texture. Each component brings its own magic to the Delicious Creamy Garlic Chicken Recipe!
- Chicken Breasts: The juicy, boneless, skinless kind is best for even cooking and perfect slices.
- Salt & Pepper: Essential for seasoning the chicken so every bite is flavorful.
- Italian Seasonings: A blend of herbs that adds depth and a comforting aroma.
- Flour: Helps create a lovely golden crust on the chicken and thickens the sauce beautifully.
- Parmesan Cheese (for dredging): Shredded Parmesan ensures a salty, umami layer right in the coating.
- Olive Oil: Adds a touch of richness and helps achieve that perfect sear.
- Chicken Broth: Lays the savory foundation for the sauce; use low-sodium if preferred.
- Beef Bouillon Cube or Better Than Bouillon: Just a bit deepens the chicken broth and adds extra savory notes.
- Low Sodium Soy Sauce (or Worcestershire): An unexpected splash for umami and balanced complexity.
- Onion Powder: For gentle undertones that support the garlic without overpowering.
- Dried Thyme: Aromatic and earthy, thyme adds a subtle herbal note.
- Mustard Powder: Slightly tangy, it gives the sauce a gentle, appealing kick.
- Butter: Melts into the skillet to caramelize the garlic and make the sauce silky.
- Whole Garlic Cloves: Let these get golden and mellow—you’ll love their sweet, rich flavor.
- Flour (for sauce): Thickens the sauce to that dreamy consistency.
- Heavy Cream: The secret to luscious, creamy texture—don’t skimp!
- Parmesan Cheese (for sauce, optional): Stirring in more at the end adds richness and a nutty finish.
How to Make Delicious Creamy Garlic Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Measure
Start by gathering and measuring all your ingredients—it’ll make your cooking flow easily and keep you organized. Combine the chicken broth, bouillon, soy sauce, onion powder, mustard powder, and thyme in a measuring cup so they’re ready for action. On a plate, mix together your flour and shredded Parmesan. This is a small step that makes a big impact when you start cooking.
Step 2: Prepare the Chicken
Slice your chicken breasts in half horizontally for quicker, more even cooking. Cover each piece with plastic wrap and use a meat mallet to pound the chicken to about half an inch thick. Pat each piece dry, season both sides with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, then dredge in your Parmesan-flour blend. Lightly tap off any excess and set aside.
Step 3: Sear the Chicken
Heat olive oil over medium-high in a large skillet. Sear the chicken in two batches (for a beautiful golden crust), about 4 to 5 minutes per side. Set the finished pieces on a plate and keep them nearby—those browned bits in the skillet will add tons of flavor to your sauce.
Step 4: Caramelize the Garlic
Reduce the heat to medium or medium-low, melt the butter, then add your whole garlic cloves. Let them sizzle and turn golden for about 6 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Their aroma will fill your kitchen and let you know something delicious is happening!
Step 5: Build the Sauce
Sprinkle in the flour and stir for a couple of minutes to cook off any raw taste. Gradually pour in the prepared chicken broth mixture, stirring constantly—watch the sauce thicken and develop a gorgeous sheen. Next, add the heavy cream and, if you like, more Parmesan cheese. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce to low and stir occasionally while the flavors mingle.
Step 6: Bring It All Together
Nestle the chicken breast pieces back into the sauce (along with any accumulated juices from the plate). Spoon some sauce over each piece and partially cover the skillet. Let it all simmer for about 5 minutes so your chicken soaks up all that creamy, garlicky goodness.
How to Serve Delicious Creamy Garlic Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
I love finishing this dish with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley—its pop of green brightens the plate and adds a gentle, herby freshness. If you’re feeling fancy, a few extra shavings of Parmesan or even a twist of cracked black pepper sealed with a drizzle of olive oil can elevate the final presentation beautifully.
Side Dishes
The Delicious Creamy Garlic Chicken Recipe pairs so well with buttery mashed potatoes, crusty bread for sopping up sauce, or roasted green beans for a punch of color and crunch. Sometimes I’ll even add sautéed mushrooms or a simple arugula salad with lemon to balance the richness.
Creative Ways to Present
Try slicing the chicken and fanning the pieces on a serving platter with sauce drizzled artistically. Or, serve the chicken over fluffy rice or creamy polenta, allowing the sauce to cascade down. For a dinner party wow-factor, use mini skillets or shallow bowls so each guest gets their own personal serving.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftovers, rejoice! Store the Delicious Creamy Garlic Chicken Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors seem to meld and deepen overnight, making for an even tastier meal the next day.
Freezing
This recipe holds up incredibly well in the freezer—perfect for meal prep! Simply let everything cool, then freeze in portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge for best results. The sauce might separate ever-so-slightly but comes right back together after reheating and a quick stir.
Reheating
You can reheat individual portions in the microwave at 50 percent power, or place all the chicken and sauce in a covered, lightly greased baking dish and warm at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes or until hot. A gentle reheat prevents the sauce from breaking and keeps the chicken moist and tender.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs add extra richness and flavor, though they may need a few extra minutes of simmering to become perfectly tender.
Do I have to use whole garlic cloves, or can I use minced garlic?
The magic of this Delicious Creamy Garlic Chicken Recipe comes from slowly caramelizing whole garlic cloves for their sweet, mellow bite. If you really need to swap in minced garlic, add it later in the process and reduce the cooking time to prevent burning.
Can I lighten up the sauce with milk instead of heavy cream?
You can substitute half-and-half or even whole milk for a lighter version, but keep in mind the sauce will be slightly less creamy and luxurious. For extra richness without all the cream, try adding a tablespoon of cream cheese!
What vegetables can I add for more color or nutrition?
Sautéed mushrooms, baby spinach, or steamed broccoli are fantastic add-ins. Just stir them into the sauce before you return the chicken to the skillet, allowing them to soak up that garlic-Parmesan flavor.
Is this Delicious Creamy Garlic Chicken Recipe gluten-free?
As written, the recipe uses regular flour, but you can easily swap in your favorite gluten-free flour blend for both dredging the chicken and thickening the sauce. Always check bouillon and soy sauce labels to ensure they’re gluten-free as well.
Final Thoughts
The Delicious Creamy Garlic Chicken Recipe is truly a crowd-pleaser—easy enough for a cozy night in, but impressive enough to share with guests. I hope you’ll give it a try and make it a favorite at your table too. Don’t forget to share it with friends and let me know how it turns out!
PrintDelicious Creamy Garlic Chicken Recipe
This Creamy Garlic Chicken recipe features tender chicken breasts smothered in a rich gravy with caramelized garlic cloves for a gourmet touch. A one-skillet dish that’s easy to make and full of flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Non-vegetarian
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Salt/Pepper
- 3 teaspoons Italian seasonings
- ⅓ cup flour
- 4 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, shredded
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce:
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 beef bouillon cube or 1 tsp better than bouillon
- 1 teaspoon low sodium soy sauce (can sub Worcestershire sauce)
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon EACH: Dried thyme, mustard powder
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 10 whole cloves garlic
- 3 tablespoons flour
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Prep Work: Combine the chicken broth, bouillon cube, soy sauce, onion powder, mustard powder, and thyme. Combine flour and Parmesan cheese.
- Cook the Chicken: Slice chicken, season, dredge in flour, and cook in skillet. Set aside.
- Make the Sauce: Melt butter, caramelize garlic, add flour, broth mixture, cream, and Parmesan. Simmer with chicken.
Notes
- If using smaller chicken breasts, consider using 3-4 instead of 2 large.
- Mushrooms make a great addition, sauté separately and stir into the sauce at the end.
- This recipe is featured in The Cozy Cookbook on page 99!
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheat in the microwave at 50% power from frozen or thaw overnight and reheat in a covered casserole dish at 350 °F for 20 minutes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 488 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 1129mg
- Fat: 29g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 132mg
