There’s something deeply comforting about a rich, velvety sauce paired with tender chicken, and that’s exactly why this Creamy Garlic Chicken Skillet Recipe is a keeper. The garlic’s mellow sweetness mingles with the cream to create a sauce so luscious, you’ll want to savor every bite—and I’m here to show you how to nail it at home effortlessly.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
This creamy garlic chicken skillet recipe is one of those dishes I return to time and again because it feels fancy but is surprisingly simple. No fuss, just rich flavor and a quick midweek fix that looks like you spent hours in the kitchen.
- Quick and approachable: You’ll have dinner on the table in about 40 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights when you want comfort without stress.
- Depth of flavor: Slow-sautéed garlic and a creamy broth base come together for a sauce that’s both festive and familiar.
- Versatile and customizable: You can swap chicken breasts for thighs or add herbs and veggies to match your mood or pantry.
- Impressive yet forgiving: Even if you’re new to cooking sauces, this recipe guides you through each step to avoid common pitfalls.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this creamy garlic chicken skillet recipe plays a crucial role. From the flour that gives the sauce its velvety thickness, to the garlic’s bold flavor mellowed by slow cooking, they come together beautifully. When shopping, choose fresh garlic for the best aroma and quality chicken for juicy results.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Slicing them thin ensures even cooking and quicker prep time—no more dry chicken!
- Italian seasoning: A simple blend that brings an herby depth without overpowering the garlic cream sauce.
- Salt & pepper: Basic but essential for seasoning both the chicken and sauce to perfection.
- All-purpose flour: This helps thicken the sauce while adding a subtle nuttiness when browned on the chicken.
- Olive oil & butter: The olive oil prevents sticking, and butter adds rich flavor and a silky finish to the sauce.
- Whole garlic bulb: Roasting garlic in the pan transforms it from sharp and raw to sweet and mellow, the real star here.
- Chicken broth: The base liquid that adds savory notes and helps loosen up the sauce for spooning over chicken.
- Heavy cream: This gives the sauce its signature creaminess and smooth texture that everyone loves.
- Garlic powder: A little extra garlic punch to boost flavor depth without overpowering.
Make It Your Way
I enjoy tweaking this creamy garlic chicken skillet recipe depending on the season or what’s in my fridge. Feel free to add your personal spin—this dish is forgiving and perfect for making your own.
- Variation: I sometimes swap chicken breasts for boneless thighs for richer flavor and extra juiciness—both work beautifully in this sauce.
- Veggie boost: Adding mushrooms or spinach in the last few minutes of cooking lends a fresh texture and earthy note that I find irresistible.
- Dairy-free option: Substitute heavy cream with coconut cream for a slightly tropical take that's still creamy and luscious.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Garlic Chicken Skillet Recipe
Step 1: Prepare and Season Your Chicken
First things first—I like to fillet the chicken breasts thinly by carefully slicing each one in half horizontally. This ensures the chicken cooks evenly and stays tender. Season both sides generously with Italian seasoning, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. Then sprinkle flour all over and rub it in evenly; this little step is key for getting that perfect golden crust and thickening the sauce later.
Step 2: Sear Chicken to Golden Perfection
Heat your skillet over medium heat with olive oil and a tablespoon of butter. When the pan's hot—watch for that gentle shimmer—lay down your chicken. A few minutes on each side (about 4) will give you a beautiful golden brown color. Don't rush this or turn often; letting that crust form locks in the juicy goodness. Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a warm plate and cover to keep it cozy.
Step 3: Sauté Garlic Slowly
While the chicken rests, peel the garlic cloves and smash them gently with the heel of your hand on the knife’s side—this helps release their flavor without pulverizing them. Add the remaining butter to the skillet, lower the heat to medium-low, and add your garlic cloves. Stir frequently for about 3 minutes until they’re lightly browned and fragrant. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning—it’s all about that golden, mellow flavor.
Step 4: Build the Creamy Sauce
Next, pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to loosen any delicious brown bits stuck to the pan—that’s where the magic happens. Sprinkle in garlic powder and stir gently. Now, patience is your friend: let the sauce simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, allowing it to reduce by half and thicken. Taste it halfway through and adjust salt and pepper as needed; I usually add just a pinch to balance flavors.
Step 5: Bring It All Together
Finally, nestle the cooked chicken back into your skillet, spooning the luscious sauce over each piece. Let the chicken heat through for a couple more minutes so all those flavors meld beautifully. Serve hot, garnished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley if you like a pop of color and freshness.
Top Tip
Over the years, making this creamy garlic chicken skillet recipe, I’ve learned a few things that make a huge difference in the outcome. Here are my go-to tips to help you get it just right every time:
- Don’t skip the flour coating: It’s the secret to that perfect golden crust and a sauce that clings beautifully to the chicken.
- Cook garlic low and slow: Rushing the garlic sauté will leave it bitter or burnt, so keep the heat down and stir often.
- Use a heavy skillet: A thick-bottomed pan holds heat better and cooks the chicken evenly without hot spots.
- Let the sauce reduce patiently: Resist the urge to rush this step; the longer it simmers, the creamier and more flavorful it gets.
How to Serve Creamy Garlic Chicken Skillet Recipe
Garnishes
I nearly always top this dish with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley—it brightens the creamy sauce and adds just a subtle, herby pop of freshness. Sometimes I add a few red pepper flakes for a hint of heat or a little lemon zest to cut through the richness, depending on my mood.
Side Dishes
My favorite sides to serve alongside are garlic mashed potatoes (because you can never have too much garlic), roasted asparagus, or simple steamed green beans. For a lighter option, serve over cauliflower rice or alongside sautéed spinach to keep things fresh and balanced.
Creative Ways to Present
For dinner guests, I like to serve this creamy garlic chicken skillet recipe over a bed of buttery egg noodles or creamy risotto, drizzling extra sauce on top for an elegant touch. A side of crusty garlic bread to sop up every last bit of sauce makes it feel like a restaurant-worthy meal in your own home.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store any leftover creamy garlic chicken in an airtight container in the fridge, and it keeps well for up to 3 days. The sauce thickens a bit as it cools, so just give it a gentle stir when reheating to bring it back to silky perfection.
Freezing
Freezing this dish is possible, but I recommend freezing the chicken and sauce separately if you can—that way, when reheated, the texture stays closer to fresh. I’ve found that cream-based sauces can sometimes split when frozen and reheated, but gentle reheating helps minimize this.
Reheating
To reheat, I prefer warming the leftovers on the stovetop over low heat, stirring often to prevent scorching and adding a splash of chicken broth or cream if the sauce looks too thick. Microwave works in a pinch, but slow and steady is best for texture.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work wonderfully in this creamy garlic chicken skillet recipe—they’re juicier and stay tender, especially if you prefer a richer taste.
Keep the heat at medium-low when sautéing the garlic and stir frequently. Garlic cooks quickly and can burn easily, which turns it bitter, so patience is key here.
Yes! You can prep the chicken and even make the sauce a day ahead, then reheat gently before serving. Just keep everything in airtight containers refrigerated to preserve freshness.
Garlic mashed potatoes, roasted veggies like asparagus or green beans, and crusty bread for dipping are all fantastic companions that soak up the sauce beautifully.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, this creamy garlic chicken skillet recipe has become one of my personal favorites for weeks when I want something both quick and indulgent. It’s cozy, flavorful, and impresses guests without stress—like dinner magic from a single pan. I can’t wait for you to try it and fall in love with it just like I have. Don’t hesitate to make it your own and enjoy every comforting bite!
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Creamy Garlic Chicken Skillet Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
This Creamy Garlic Chicken recipe features tender chicken breasts cooked to golden perfection and smothered in a rich, garlicky cream sauce. With a luscious combination of butter, garlic, chicken broth, and heavy cream, this comforting dish is quick to prepare and perfect for a satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.3 lbs)
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoon butter, divided
Sauce
- 1 whole garlic bulb (about 8-9 garlic cloves)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Using a sharp knife, carefully fillet each chicken breast into two thinner cutlets if needed. Season each piece evenly with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Sprinkle flour on both sides and rub in to coat the chicken completely.
- Cook Chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter. When hot, add chicken and cook about 4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken to plate and cover to keep warm.
- Prepare Garlic: Peel garlic cloves, then smash each clove with the side of a chef's knife by pressing with the heel of your hand to release flavors.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, add remaining 1 tablespoon butter and garlic cloves. Reduce heat to medium-low and sauté for about 3 minutes until garlic is lightly browned and fragrant, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
- Make Sauce: Pour chicken broth and heavy cream into skillet, add garlic powder, and stir while scraping up brown bits from the pan. Let sauce simmer for 8-10 minutes until reduced and thickened by about half. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Combine and Serve: Return cooked chicken to skillet and spoon creamy garlic sauce over top. Heat through briefly, then serve warm. Optionally garnish with chopped fresh parsley.
Notes
- Chicken breasts can be substituted with boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a juicier texture.
- For convenience, use 2.5 tablespoon pre-minced garlic instead of fresh garlic cloves.
- To ensure even cooking, pound chicken cutlets to uniform thickness if necessary.
- Serve with rice, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread to enjoy the creamy sauce fully.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg
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