Creamy Garlic Chicken: Restaurant-Worthy One-Pan Comfort with Decadent Garlic Sauce

Creamy Garlic Chicken

Introduction

Creamy Garlic Chicken is a restaurant-worthy meal you can make in your own kitchen with simple ingredients and minimal effort. This dish delivers a luscious, velvety sauce infused with the irresistible aroma of garlic—perfect for impressing guests or elevating any weeknight dinner. It’s all about maximum flavor, minimal fuss, and plenty of comfort.

Why Creamy Garlic Chicken Stands Out

What sets this Creamy Garlic Chicken apart is its ability to satisfy both comfort food cravings and a desire for sophisticated flavor. The golden-seared chicken is coated in a luxurious sauce made from fresh garlic, cream, and a splash of broth. It’s a crowd-pleaser that feels indulgent, but comes together in one pan with everyday ingredients.

Expert Tips for the Creamy Garlic Sauce

For the ideal sauce, use freshly minced garlic (not pre-chopped or powdered) to give the dish depth of flavor. A high-quality heavy cream ensures the sauce is rich and silky. Simmering the garlic gently extracts its sweetness, while a touch of chicken broth helps balance and lighten the sauce so it coats the chicken beautifully.

How to Perfectly Sear and Finish Your Chicken

Start by searing your chicken until golden on each side—this locks in the juices and builds a flavorful base for the sauce. After removing the chicken, build your sauce in the same pan to boost flavor. Return the chicken to the pan, spoon the sauce overtop, and let everything simmer together until the chicken is perfectly tender and the sauce is thickened.

Serving Suggestions for a Show-Stopping Creamy Garlic Chicken

This dish is incredibly versatile. Serve it over a bed of fluffy mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta to soak up that luscious sauce. Roasted vegetables or a crisp side salad bring a fresh contrast, and a sprinkle of fresh parsley adds a pop of color and freshness to the finished plate.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields 4 generous servings, with each serving containing approximately 390–430 calories, depending on the type of cream used. It’s a satisfyingly rich entree best enjoyed with plenty of vegetables or a light salad on the side.

Creamy Garlic Chicken: A Recap

Creamy Garlic Chicken brings together juicy seared chicken and a decadent, garlicky sauce in a single pan. Whether served for family dinner or as a special weekend treat, it’s a meal that’s sure to delight.

Ingredients

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 pounds)
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 large garlic cloves, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (optional)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)

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Instructions

  1. Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken to the pan and cook for 5–7 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer chicken to a plate and set aside.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic to the pan and sauté for about 1 minute, until fragrant (do not burn).
  4. Pour in chicken broth and let it simmer for 2–3 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  5. Add heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning (if using). Stir until cheese is melted and sauce is well combined. Let simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
  6. Return chicken to the skillet, spooning some of the sauce over each piece. Simmer for another 2–3 minutes until the chicken is heated through and sauce is silky.
  7. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Serve hot over pasta, rice, or with vegetables.

Weekly Meal Planning

Creamy Garlic Chicken makes an excellent addition to your weekly meal rotation. Save and schedule this recipe to your meal plan and get smart, consolidated ingredient lists that fit seamlessly with your other planned dishes.

Meal Planning Benefits:

– Calculates total ingredient amounts across all your chosen recipes
– Automatically organizes shopping lists by store section
– Eliminates duplicate purchases and cuts down on forgotten items
– Streamlines your grocery shopping and saves planning time

Pro tip: Schedule multiple meals ahead with CookifyAI to see exactly how your ingredients overlap (for example, both this dish and a pasta bake may use cream or Parmesan), minimizing waste and maximizing efficiency.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

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