My mom used to call it magic chicken that buttery, garlicky smell drifting down the hall always meant we were having comfort on a plate. This easy Creamy Garlic Chicken has taken over my group texts and grocery list. Pinterest is going wild with this one, y’all.
Cream, garlic, and boneless chicken come together in a cozy skillet hug. You probably have everything butter, broth, a splash of cream even rice if you’re craving a chicken and rice recipe night. It’s like your favorite diner meal, but in soft pants. Full details in the blog!
I tested this after a week of nothing-but-cereal dinners and holy wow creamy redemption. All those years of chaotic weeknights and family chicken flops led to this. It’s not fancy. It’s just good. I threw in one twist I swear by. You’ll love the secret!
Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Easy Creamy Garlic Chicken
This dish is what I call “kitchen magic in 20 minutes.” Here’s why it’s a winner:
- Fast but Fancy: It’s weeknight-quick but feels like a restaurant treat. That creamy garlic sauce? Total showstopper.
- Versatile: Serve it over mashed potatoes, rice, or pastaand it works with almost any green veggie.
- Beginner-Friendly: No tricky steps, and that simple seasoning blend makes you feel like a pro.
- Family Approved: Kids love it, adults adore itit’s a crowd-pleaser every time.
Gather Your Simple Ingredients
Here’s everything you needthe usual suspects you probably have on hand:

| Category | Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Chicken | 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut in half for 4 pieces), salt, pepper, sweet paprika, onion powder, dried thyme |
| Sauce | Butter, olive oil, freshly minced garlic, chicken stock, heavy cream, Dijon mustard, grated parmesan |
| To Serve | Rice, mashed potatoes, or pasta; steamed greens; parsley; lemon wedges |
Pro Tip: Pre-measure everythingit’ll make the cooking flow seamlessly.
How to Make Your Creamy Garlic Chicken
This recipe is all about layering flavors. Here’s how you’ll bring it together:
- Season and coat the chicken: Sprinkle both sides with your spice blend, then press each piece into flour. It creates that golden crust!
- Sear the chicken: In a large pan, heat olive oil and butter. Cook each piece for about 5–6 minutes, flipping once. Set aside.
- Build the sauce: In the same pan, melt butter, then sauté garlic till fragrant. Add chicken stock and reduce it by half for incredible flavor.
- Simmer the creamy sauce: Pour in cream, Dijon mustard, and parmesan. Stir until the sauce thickens just slightly.
- Bring it home: Add the chicken back to the pan and let it soak up all that garlicky goodness for 2–3 minutes.
Pro Tip: Don’t rush the sauce! Letting it simmer ties all the flavors together.
| Step | Timing |
|---|---|
| Season & Coat Chicken | 3 minutes |
| Sear Chicken | 6 minutes |
| Build Sauce | 5 minutes |
| Simmer Chicken in Sauce | 3 minutes |
Customizations and Serving Ideas
This dish is made to adapt! Here’s how you can tweak it:
- Prefer thighs? Swap the chicken breasts for boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Same pan-sear method, more juicy goodness.
- Cut carbs: Try serving alongside cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles.
- No dairy? Substitute coconut milk for the cream, though the flavor will shift slightly.
- Leftovers? Shred the chicken and stir into cooked pasta or rice for an amazing next-day lunch.
Pro Tip: Garnish with a squeeze of lemon for a bright, zesty finish.
| Ingredient | Swap Option |
|---|---|
| Chicken breasts | Chicken thighs |
| Heavy cream | Coconut milk |
| Mashed potatoes | Cauliflower mash |
Storage and Reheating Tips
Here’s how to keep things fresh for leftovers:
- Storage: Place chicken and sauce together in an airtight container. Refrigerate up to 3 days. (Freezing isn’t recommendedit alters the sauce.)
- Reheating on stovetop: Use low heat in a covered pan, adding a splash of water if the sauce looks too thick.
- Reheating in microwave: Reheat in 30-second bursts, stirring between rounds. Add cream if the sauce starts to separate.
Note: Cream-based sauces can be finicky when reheated, but gentle heat and a little stirring work wonders.
| Method | Details |
|---|---|
| Refrigeration | Up to 3 days |
| Stovetop Reheating | Low heat, splash water |
| Microwave Reheating | Short bursts, stirring |
Expert Insight: Mastering Easy Creamy Garlic Chicken
Creating an EASY CREAMY GARLIC CHICKEN dish hinges on balancing rich dairy with aromatic garlic for depth without overpowering the palate. Using heavy cream and simmering gently ensures a velvety sauce that clings perfectly to tender chicken, making this both accessible and delightfully indulgent.
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The Journey to My Easy Creamy Garlic Chicken
I spent months tweaking this easy creamy garlic chicken, learning the hard way not to overcook the sauce or dry out the chicken. Every trial came with a sticky pan or a flavor miss, but now it’s creamy, comforting, and exactly what my family asks for when life gets busy.
FAQs ( Simple Creamy Garlic Chicken )
Can I use boneless skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts for this easy creamy garlic chicken?
Absolutely! Boneless skinless chicken thigh recipes work wonderfully with this creamy garlic sauce. Chicken thighs are actually more forgiving and tend to stay juicier than breasts. Just adjust the cooking time slightly as thighs may take 2-3 minutes longer to cook through. The rich flavor of thighs pairs beautifully with the creamy garlic sauce.
How long does this creamy garlic chicken take to make?
This easy creamy garlic chicken takes about 25-30 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for busy weeknights. The prep time is minimal at just 5 minutes, and the cooking time is around 20-25 minutes. It’s one of those easy chicken dinner ideas that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort. You’ll have a restaurant-quality meal on the table in under half an hour!
What side dishes go well with Simple Creamy Garlic Chicken?
This creamy garlic chicken pairs beautifully with rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes to soak up that delicious sauce. For chicken and rice recipes, try serving it over jasmine or basmati rice. Roasted vegetables like broccoli, asparagus, or green beans make excellent healthy sides. You can also serve it with crusty bread, egg noodles, or cauliflower mash for a lower-carb option.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes! This easy creamy garlic chicken can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually improve overnight, making it great for meal prep or leftover chicken recipes. When reheating, add a splash of chicken broth or cream to restore the sauce’s consistency. You can reheat it gently on the stovetop or in the microwave at reduced power.
Is this creamy garlic chicken recipe healthy?
This recipe can definitely be part of chicken breast recipes healthy meal planning! While it does contain cream, you can make it lighter by using half-and-half or Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream. The chicken provides lean protein, and you can serve it with vegetables and whole grains for a balanced meal. For chicken breast meals that are health-conscious, consider reducing the cream and adding extra herbs and spices for flavor.

Wrapping Up Your Easy Creamy Garlic Chicken Adventure
Easy Creamy Garlic Chicken is that cozy, fuss-free dinner fix you didn’t know you needed. In just about 20 minutes, you get tender, buttery chicken swimming in garlicky goodness. Trust me, this one’s a family meal magic trick that’ll have you reaching for seconds.
Feel free to swap chicken breasts for thighs or sneak in some spinach for a veggie boost. Leftovers? Shred that chicken for a quick lunch upgrade. A kitchen tip I love: always add a squeeze of lemonit brightens everything up like fresh air after a rainstorm.
Have you tried this recipe yet? Drop a pic or your favorite twist in the comments I live for those stories and tweaks! Share it with your people and keep the comfort-food love rolling. This creamy garlic hug is one you’ll wanna make again and again.
Print
EASY CREAMY GARLIC CHICKEN
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
Description
Enjoy an easy Creamy Garlic Chicken that is perfectly cooked in a delicious creamy garlic sauce. Ready in less than 20 minutes, this recipe is a fantastic option for Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast Recipes and Chicken Breast Meals. It’s a quick, flavorful dinner idea everyone will love.
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts cut in half horizontally to make 4 steaks
- 1 tsp salt
- ÂĽ tsp cracked black pepper
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- ÂĽ cup (35 g) plain (all-purpose flour)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp freshly minced garlic
- ½ cup (125 ml) chicken stock
- 300 ml (10 fl oz) thickened (heavy) cream
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- ½ cup (50 g) grated parmesan
- Salt and cracked black pepper to taste
- Mashed potatoes steamed rice or pasta
- Steamed greens
- 1 tbsp finely chopped parsley
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Sprinkle the chicken with salt pepper sweet paprika onion powder and thyme. Press the chicken into the flour so that all sides are evenly coated.
- Heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large deep frying pan over medium–high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5–6 minutes or until the chicken is just cooked turning once halfway through.
- Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside on a plate.
- To the same pan add the butter for the sauce. Once melted add the garlic stirring for 30 seconds.
- Add the chicken stock and cook for 1–2 minutes until it has evaporated by at least half. Stir in the cream and Dijon mustard reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 2 minutes until the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Stir through the parmesan season to taste then return the chicken to the pan for 2–3 minutes or until the chicken is heated through. Serve the chicken with rice mashed potatoes or pasta and a side of steamed greens. Top with freshly chopped parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice.
Notes
- MAKE AHEAD Creamy Garlic chicken can be made ahead to make weeknights that little bit easier
- Refrigerate the cooked chicken with the sauce (to stop the chicken drying out) for up to 3 days
- Not suitable to freeze
- LEFTOVERS Creamy Garlic Chicken leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days
- Refrigerate the cooked chicken with the sauce (to stop the chicken drying out) for up to 3 days in an airtight container
- Not suitable to freeze
- To reheat on the stovetop: Reheat over low heat in a covered pan stirring occasionally
- Add a splash of water if the sauce thickens too much
- To reheat in the microwave: Reheat in short bursts (30–40 seconds at a time) stirring in between bursts to ensure even heating
- Add a little extra water if needed to loosen the sauce
- Note: Cream-based sauces can sometimes separate or become grainy when reheated
- To help prevent this reheat gently over low heat and stir well
- If the sauce starts to split whisk in a small splash of cream or warm milk to bring it back together
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main dish
- Method: pan
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 120mg










