For simple comfort food, look no further than creamy garlic chicken. The recipe a one-pot wonder, which makes it perfect for a quick weeknight meal. And while it’s as easy as it is delicious, you’ll still get to show off some technique by making a roux to achieve that perfect thick and creamy sauce. Follow along to make your family’s next favorite dinner!
Creamy Garlic Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, halved
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, divided
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
1 whole garlic bulb, peeled and separated into cloves
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
Directions
Step 1: Butterfly chicken
On a clean cutting board, use a sharp knife to butterfly your chicken by halving the breasts horizontally, so you have 4 thinner pieces.
Using a meat mallet, pound chicken to 1/2-inch thickness. If you don’t have a meat mallet, use a rolling pan or cast-iron skillet.
Step 2: Dredge chicken
In a shallow bowl, mix 1/2 cup flour, salt and pepper. Dredge chicken by dipping each piece into the flour mixture to coat both sides, then shaking off any excess flour.
Step 3: Cook chicken
Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken until it’s well browned on both sides. Set the chicken aside.
Step 4: Make creamy sauce and serve
In the same skillet, melt butter on medium heat. Add garlic cloves and onion. Cook and stir until lightly browned, 2-3 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining 1 tablespoon flour, and mix well. Gradually stir in cream, broth and garlic powder. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cook and stir until slightly thickened, 4-6 minutes. Stir in Parmesan cheese.
Return the chicken to the pan and allow to heat through. Serve with a sprinkle of fresh parsley.
Tips for Making Creamy Garlic Chicken
What is the secret to moist chicken breast?
There are a couple tricks to avoid a dried out, unappetizing chicken breast. When cooking, allow the chicken to naturally brown by not moving it around too much. Don’t press on it to release the juices. And let your chicken rest before cutting into it. That will allow all the juices to reabsorb into the chicken before it’s cut, giving you a perfectly moist chicken breast.
What do you serve with creamy garlic chicken?
Balance out your creamy chicken with a vegetable side dish to make a perfect meal. Whether it’s a cold salad or some Parmesan roasted broccoli, something green will go great with this creamy garlic chicken.
Can you freeze creamy garlic chicken?
This dish is best eaten when eaten fresh, or within a week of making it. Freezing it is possible, but it will likely affect the creamy texture, so I recommend eating it before you have to freeze it!
Sides to Pair with Garlic Chicken
These puffy dinner rolls take on rich color when you add squash to the dough. Any squash variety works. I’ve even used cooked carrots. —Marcia Whitney, Gainesville, Florida
Get Recipe
Serve these (and the rest of these sides) with our best roast chicken recipes here.
I combined two recipes to create this side with broccoli and pasta. The splash of lemon adds nice flavor. Instead of toasted almonds, you could also sprinkle servings with grated Parmesan cheese. —Beth Dauenhauer, Pueblo, Colorado
Sometimes I serve this side dish chilled and other times we enjoy it hot.
It has a pleasant tinge of lemon and a nice crunch from pecans.
—Shelly Nelson, Akeley, Minnesota
Golden brown and buttery, these crispy smashed potatoes live up to their tantalizing name. A sprinkle of fresh herbs when they’re hot out of the oven maximizes the flavor…and the pretty. —Althea Dye, Howard, Ohio
Even people who normally don’t care for Brussels sprouts will ask for a second helping of these. —James Schend, Dairy Freed
I baste whole mushrooms with a lemony sauce to prepare this simple side dish. Using skewers or a basket makes it easy to turn them as they grill to perfection. —Diane Hixon, Niceville, Florida
Baby carrots go over big when seasoned with the subtle taste of rosemary. I like to sprinkle raisins on top for a combination of sweet and savory. —Aysha Schurman, Ammon, Idaho
This tender side dish is perfect for the holidays or any time you want to add a special touch. Dried cranberries, currants and almonds serve up color and texture. My co-workers all make this rice pilaf for their families. —Pat Gardetta, Osage Beach, Missouri
Nothing could be more simple than this side dish. Since it has just four ingredients, I assemble it in no time, then pop it into the oven for about 15 minutes. It turns out perfect every time. —Mary Ann Marino, West Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
This savory side dish has been a family favorite for years. Our daughter Jennifer became an expert at this recipe at age 12, which was a huge help for a busy working mom like me. We really enjoy this rice dish in the summer with a grilled entree. —Jeri Dobrowski, Beach, North Dakota
This air-fryer Brussels sprouts recipe is my go-to Thanksgiving side dish. It’s healthy and easy, and it doesn’t take very much time or effort to make. I usually use rosemary for my turkey, so this lets me use up some of the leftover herbs! —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
Not only is this summer side dish something to look at, it’s a treat for the taste buds, too. The medley of textures and garden-fresh ingredients perfectly complement one another for a delightfully different potato salad. —Marilyn Haynes, Sylacauga, Alabama
We had a lot of family get-togethers while I was growing up. My grandmother, aunts and mom were all good cooks, and each had her own specialty when it came to bread. Mom’s was my favorite—she created this recipe more than 40 years ago. The flavors call to mind the taste of cornbread stuffing! —Shirley Smith, Yorba Linda, California
My farm box had too many greens, so I had to use them up. This tasty idea uses kale, tomatoes and garlic in a dish that quickly disappears. —Martha Neth, Aurora, Colorado
With asparagus, spinach and peas, this simple side adds spectacular flavor and tons of health benefits from green veggies. Add some Parmesan cheese, and you’ve got one delectable dish! —Kendra Doss, Kansas City, Missouri
My trick to roasting veggies is to choose ones that cook in the same amount of time. Other combinations to try? Cauliflower florets with baby carrots or okra with cherry tomatoes. —Courtney Gaylord, Columbus, Indiana
Fresh green broccoli turns tangy and tasty when roasted with lemon juice and pepper. A sprinkle of almonds adds crunch. —Liz Bellville, Jacksonville, North Carolina
Even picky eaters will love this protein-packed dish. If you have freshly shelled peas on hand, substitute them for the frozen. —Lori Panarella, Phoenixville, Pennsylvania
These delicious glazed carrots come to the rescue when I’m preparing a special meal. They cook while I prepare the other dishes, and the slow-cooker simmering saves me precious oven space. —Anndrea Bailey, Huntington Beach, California
My grandsons rave over these creamy potatoes loaded with Parmesan. That’s all the endorsement I need. Sometimes I use golden or red potatoes, with skins on. —Kallee Krong-McCreery, Escondido, California
Sauteed bits of garlic and shallot, with a sprinkling of toasted sesame seeds, turn ordinary beans into something special. Keep the recipe in mind for your garden crop in summer. —Deirdre Cox, Kansas City, Missouri
This addictive fennel recipe is a fresh take on one of my mother’s standard wintertime dishes. I usually add more carrots—as many as the pans will hold. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia
A standout cauliflower side is easy to prepare with just a few ingredients. Crushed red pepper flakes add a touch of heat. —Susan Hein, Burlington, Wisconsin
“My sister inspired this recipe. I added a few more spices, but the concept is hers. It’s easy to vary, is a great way to add veggies to your diet and the olive oil is heart healthy.”Jackie Termont – Richmond, Virginia
Radishes aren’t just for salads anymore. This abundant springtime veggie makes a colorful side to any meal. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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