Creamy Garlic Chicken

This creamy garlic chicken brings rich flavor, tender bites, and a quick stovetop method that fits busy evenings. The sauce turns silky as it cooks, so each spoonful feels warm and calming while still tasting fresh. This easy creamy garlic chicken dinner comes together smoothly and works well with vegetables, pasta, or rice for a full plate that feels special without fuss.

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What Makes This Recipe Stand Out

  • Balanced garlic sauce that stays smooth and creamy
  • Tender chicken that cooks evenly in one pan
  • Simple steps that guide you through how to make creamy garlic chicken
  • Reliable flavor that works for weeknights or guests

Ingredient Breakdown

These ingredients blend into a creamy garlic chicken recipe that stays rich without feeling heavy, and each item supports the sauce in a helpful way that keeps the texture stable.

  • Chicken thighs for moist, tender bites
  • Fresh garlic for strong but smooth flavor
  • Butter for a silky base
  • Heavy cream for thickness
  • Chicken broth for depth
  • Parmesan for gentle saltiness
  • Parsley for color and freshness

How to Make It

Prep

  1. Pat the chicken dry and season both sides with salt and pepper.
  2. Mince the garlic and grate the parmesan.
  3. Measure the cream and broth so the sauce comes together fast.

Cook

  1. Heat a large pan over medium heat and melt the butter until it bubbles.
  2. Sear the chicken until golden on both sides and remove to a plate.
  3. Add the garlic to the pan and cook until fragrant.
  4. Pour in the broth and scrape the bottom to lift the brown bits.

Finish and Serve

  1. Stir in the cream and parmesan until smooth.
  2. Return the chicken to the pan and simmer until the sauce thickens.
  3. Add parsley, taste for seasoning, and serve warm.

Time Saving Options

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These tips help you prepare an easy creamy garlic chicken dinner without losing flavor, and using pantry shortcuts keeps your meal plan running smoothly. For another comforting idea, you can explore this simple beef casserole on busy nights.

  • Use thin sliced chicken so it cooks faster
  • Buy pre minced garlic to speed prep
  • Grate parmesan ahead and store in the fridge
  • Warm broth before adding for quick thickening

Variations You Can Try

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These ideas adjust the creamy garlic chicken recipe to match your taste or pantry, and they help you change the sauce texture or flavor without extra steps. You can also look at this easy dip recipe for more simple kitchen inspiration.

  • Add spinach for color and softness
  • Use mushrooms for deeper flavor
  • Stir in lemon for a brighter sauce
  • Swap thighs for chicken breast if you prefer leaner meat

Creamy Garlic Chicken

This creamy garlic chicken brings rich flavor, tender bites, and a quick stovetop method that fits busy evenings. The sauce turns silky as it cooks, so each spoonful feels warm and calming while still tasting fresh.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 550

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 4 chicken thighs boneless, skinless
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated
  • 2 tbsp parsley chopped, for garnish
  • salt and pepper to taste

Equipment

  • Large Skillet

Method
 

  1. Pat the chicken dry and season both sides with salt and pepper.
  2. Mince the garlic and grate the parmesan. Measure the cream and broth in advance.
  3. Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat until melted and bubbling.
  4. Sear the chicken thighs for about 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
  5. Add garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  6. Deglaze the pan with chicken broth, scraping up any brown bits.
  7. Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan. Let it simmer gently until thickened.
  8. Return the chicken to the pan and simmer for another 5 minutes or until cooked through.
  9. Sprinkle with chopped parsley, taste for seasoning, and serve warm.

Notes

You can swap chicken thighs for breasts if preferred. To prevent curdling, do not boil the cream and add it only after the broth has simmered. This dish pairs well with rice, mashed potatoes, or pasta.

FAQs

Can I make this ahead for meal prep?

This dish reheats well because the sauce stays creamy when warmed slowly. Store the chicken and sauce together in an airtight container and heat on low so the dairy does not separate. Stir often as it warms and add a splash of broth if it gets too thick. This gentle method keeps the texture smooth and helps the garlic settle into the sauce in an even way.

What sides go best with creamy garlic chicken?

This recipe pairs well with rice, mashed potatoes, or pasta because each option holds the sauce in a soft and tasty way. Once the chicken finishes cooking, you can spoon the sauce over the side so everything blends together. For another hearty dish idea, try this creamy white bean dish when you want extra comfort at the table.

How do I keep the sauce from curdling?

Use medium heat and add the cream after the broth settles into a steady simmer. Stir slowly as the parmesan melts so the fats blend and do not tighten. If the sauce thickens too quickly, lower the heat and splash in a bit more broth to loosen it. This careful balance helps the sauce stay silky and prevents sharp changes in temperature that cause curdling.

Final Thoughts

This creamy garlic chicken brings steady comfort to your weeknight table and offers a simple path to rich flavor without stress. If you want more cozy meal ideas, this easy appetizer fits well beside it for gatherings or quiet nights.

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