The Perfect Creamy Garlic Chicken Recipe: Ready in 30 Minutes

Creamy garlic chicken upgrades ordinary weeknight dinners into an extraordinary culinary experience.

Rich, velvety sauces elevate simple proteins into something magical and memorable.

garlic whispers its intense flavor through each succulent bite, creating depth and complexity.

Home cooks adore this dish for its impressive taste without complicated preparation techniques.

The combination of bold aromatics and smooth textures makes this recipe a crowd-pleaser across different dining preferences.

Subtle nuances of herbs and spices dance alongside the robust garlic notes, creating a harmonious flavor profile.

Comfort meets sophistication in this irresistible meal that promises satisfaction.

What’s So Special About Creamy Garlic Chicken?

• Speed Up Cooking: Cutting chicken breasts into thinner sections ensures faster, more even cooking, perfect for busy weeknight dinners or when you're short on time.
• Flavor-Packed Crust: Coating chicken with a Parmesan-flour mixture creates a deliciously crispy exterior that locks in moisture and adds an irresistible cheesy crunch to every bite.
• Sauce Magic: The luxurious garlic cream sauce transforms simple chicken into a restaurant-worthy dish, with caramelized garlic and a silky-smooth texture that'll make your taste buds dance with joy.
• Protein-Rich Comfort: Packed with 38g of protein and a creamy, indulgent sauce, this recipe offers a perfect balance of nutrition and comfort food that satisfies both hunger and cravings in one delightful meal.

Ingredients That Make This Garlic Chicken So Luscious

• Chicken Breasts: Tender meat that forms the main protein of the dish, choose fresh and plump cuts for best results.

• Flour, Parmesan Cheese: Creates a crispy, flavorful exterior that helps seal in chickens moisture and adds rich, nutty taste.

• Salt, Black Pepper, Italian Herbs: Essential for enhancing chickens natural flavors and providing aromatic depth to the dish.

• Olive Oil, Butter: Provides rich cooking medium and helps create golden sear on chicken while adding depth of flavor.

• Whole Garlic Cloves: Adds deep, mellow garlic flavor that becomes sweet and caramelized when cooked slowly.
• Onion Powder, Mustard Powder, Dried Thyme: Introduces complex background notes and additional layers of seasoning.

• Chicken Broth, Beef Bouillon, Soy Sauce: Creates a rich, umami-packed liquid base for the sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Provides luxurious, silky texture and helps bind the sauce together.

• Grated Parmesan Cheese: Adds extra richness and creates a smooth, creamy finish to the sauce.

How to Cook Creamy Garlic Chicken Without Stress

Step 1: Slice and Season Chicken

Cut each chicken breast into 3 thinner sections for quick, even cooking. Generously season both sides with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs.

Step 2: Prepare Coating Mixture

• Flour
• Shredded Parmesan cheese

Coat each chicken piece in the mixture, pressing lightly to help it stick.

Step 3: Sear Chicken to Golden Perfection

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding. Sear for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown. Transfer cooked pieces to a plate.

Step 4: Create Buttery Garlic Base

Reduce heat slightly. Add butter to the same pan, scraping up browned bits with a silicone spatula.

Step 5: Caramelize Garlic

Toss whole garlic cloves into melted butter. Cook for 6-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft and caramelized.

Step 6: Build a Flavorful Roux

Sprinkle flour over the garlic-butter mixture. Whisk continuously for 1-2 minutes to create a thick base for the sauce.

Step 7: Develop Rich Sauce Flavor

• Beef bouillon
• Soy sauce
• Onion powder
• Mustard powder
• Dried thyme

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5-7 minutes.

Step 8: Create Creamy Sauce

Lower heat. Gradually stir in heavy cream until silky smooth. Fold in grated Parmesan cheese, allowing it to melt completely.

Step 9: Reunite Chicken with Sauce

Return seared chicken pieces to the skillet. Spoon sauce over the chicken to coat evenly. Cover and cook on low heat for 5 additional minutes.

Step 10: Serve and Savor

Remove skillet from heat. Plate with your favorite sides like pasta or bread. Enjoy your creamy garlic chicken masterpiece!

Tips for That Perfect Cream Sauce on Every Bite

• Master Chicken Cutting: Slice breasts into thin, even sections to guarantee uniform cooking and prevent dry edges.
• Cheese Coating Trick: Press Parmesan-flour mixture firmly onto chicken to create a crispy, golden exterior that locks in moisture.
• Searing Secrets: Use medium-high heat and avoid overcrowding the pan to achieve a perfect golden-brown crust without steaming the meat.
• Garlic Caramelization Magic: Cook whole garlic cloves slowly in butter until they turn soft and golden, releasing deep, mellow flavors.
• Sauce Smoothing Technique: Whisk continuously when adding broth and cream to prevent lumps and create a silky, restaurant-quality sauce.

Reheating Garlic Chicken Without Losing the Creaminess

• Refrigeration: Carefully transfer leftover chicken into an airtight container, sealing tightly to preserve moisture and prevent flavor absorption from other foods. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, keeping the chicken and sauce together to maintain its rich, creamy texture.
• Freezing: Wrap individual portions in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Pro tip: Separate sauce from chicken to prevent soggy texture when thawing.
• Reheating: Gently warm chicken in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or cream to restore moisture. Alternatively, microwave on 50% power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly and prevent drying out.

Pairings That Love Creamy Garlic Chicken as Much as You Do

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to complement the creamy garlic sauce's richness while cutting through the chicken's savory depth.
• Match with Crusty Artisan Bread: Grab a fresh baguette or sourdough to soak up the luxurious sauce, providing a perfect textural contrast and additional flavor absorption.
• Serve with Roasted Vegetable Medley: Prepare a side of herb-roasted zucchini, bell peppers, and asparagus to add vibrant color, nutritional balance, and a light counterpoint to the heavy cream sauce.
• Add Fresh Herb Garnish: Sprinkle chopped parsley or basil on top to introduce a bright, fresh element that lifts the entire dish's flavor profile and adds visual appeal.

Fun Garlic Chicken Variations for a New Spin

• Herb-Crusted Fusion: Replace Italian herbs with a zesty Mediterranean blend of oregano, rosemary, and za'atar for a Middle Eastern-inspired flavor profile.
• Spicy Southwestern Spin: Swap Italian herbs with chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika. Add diced green chilies to the sauce for a bold, fiery kick.
• Mushroom Lovers' Edition: Sauté sliced cremini or shiitake mushrooms alongside garlic cloves, creating an earthy depth to the creamy sauce. Sprinkle fresh thyme leaves for an extra aromatic touch.
• Lemon Herb Lightness: Introduce bright citrus notes by adding fresh lemon zest to the flour coating and a splash of lemon juice into the cream sauce. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley for a vibrant finish.

Creamy Garlic Chicken Recipe

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4.9 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy garlic chicken brings Italian-inspired comfort straight to dinner tables with rich, velvety sauce and tender meat. Fragrant herbs and garlic meld perfectly, creating a luxurious meal guaranteed to satisfy hungry families seeking delicious, satisfying cuisine you cannot resist.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2½ cups chicken broth
• 1 cube beef bouillon
• ½ cup heavy cream

Seasoning and Coating:

• 3 teaspoons (3 tsp) Italian seasoning
• 4 tablespoons (4 tbsp) Parmesan cheese
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons (3 tbsp) flour
• 1 teaspoon (1 tsp) low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon (1 tsp) onion powder
• ½ teaspoon (½ tsp) mustard powder
• ½ teaspoon (½ tsp) dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons (3 tbsp) unsalted butter
• 10 cloves garlic
• Olive oil (3 to 4 tablespoons)
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare chicken breasts by slicing each into three thinner, uniform sections to ensure rapid and consistent cooking. Season generously with salt, black pepper, and a fragrant Italian herb blend on both surfaces.
2. In a shallow mixing bowl, combine all-purpose flour (120 grams / ) with finely grated Parmesan cheese. Thoroughly coat each chicken piece by pressing the mixture firmly, creating an even, adherent layer.
3. Warm olive oil (30 milliliters / ) in a large skillet over medium-high temperature until it ripples. Carefully place chicken pieces in small batches to prevent overcrowding, searing for 4-5 minutes per side until a golden-brown crust develops.
4. Reduce heat and introduce unsalted butter (28 grams / ) to the same skillet. Use a silicone spatula to scrape and incorporate the flavorful browned remnants from chicken cooking.
5. Add whole garlic cloves to melted butter, allowing them to gently caramelize for 6-7 minutes. Stir periodically to prevent burning and achieve a soft, golden appearance.
6. Dust flour (15 grams / ) over the garlic-butter mixture, whisking continuously for 1-2 minutes to create a smooth, fragrant roux that will naturally thicken the sauce.
7. Gradually pour chicken broth (240 milliliters / ) into the roux, stirring consistently. Incorporate beef bouillon, soy sauce, onion powder, mustard powder, and dried thyme. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5-7 minutes.
8. Lower flame and slowly stream heavy cream (120 milliliters / ) while stirring. Fold in additional grated Parmesan cheese (30 grams / ) until completely melted, creating a luxuriously silky sauce.
9. Gently reintroduce seared chicken pieces into the sauce, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated. Cover and allow to simmer on low heat for an additional 5 minutes, allowing flavors to meld beautifully.
10. Remove from heat and serve immediately. Accompany with your preferred side dishes such as pasta, roasted vegetables, or crusty bread to absorb the rich, creamy sauce.

Notes

• Perfect for meal prepping, these chicken breasts transform into a restaurant-worthy dish with minimal kitchen effort.
• Cutting chicken into thinner sections ensures faster, more even cooking while maximizing flavor absorption during searing.
• Parmesan-flour coating creates a delectable crispy exterior that locks in moisture and adds a subtle nutty complexity to each bite.
• Caramelizing whole garlic cloves releases deep, mellow flavors that infuse the entire sauce with aromatic richness.
• Gradual cream and broth incorporation builds a silky, luxurious sauce that clings beautifully to each chicken piece, creating a mouthwatering final presentation.
• Resting the chicken in the sauce for those final moments allows deep flavor penetration, guaranteeing tender, juicy results every single time.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American-Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 610 kcal
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 40g
• Saturated Fat: 15g
• Unsaturated Fat: 22g
• Trans Fat: 0.5g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 38g
• Cholesterol: 150mg