Creamy Garlic Chicken is a comforting skillet dinner made with tender, golden chicken and a rich garlic Parmesan cream sauce. Whole garlic cloves slowly soften in butter, creating a mellow, savory flavor that pairs beautifully with juicy chicken and a silky sauce.
This easy chicken dinner feels special enough for a weekend meal but is simple enough to prepare on a busy weeknight. Serve it with mashed potatoes, rice, pasta, or vegetables for a satisfying family-friendly dinner.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This creamy chicken skillet combines crispy, seasoned chicken with a smooth sauce full of garlic and Parmesan flavor. The garlic becomes tender and slightly sweet as it cooks, giving the sauce plenty of flavor without making it overwhelmingly sharp.
It is also easy to customize. You can serve this garlic Parmesan chicken with your favorite starch or vegetables, adjust the sauce consistency, or add fresh herbs for extra color and freshness. Best of all, everything comes together in one skillet for easier cleanup.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 3 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
For the Garlic Cream Sauce
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 halal-certified beef bouillon cube or 1 teaspoon beef bouillon paste
- 1 teaspoon low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 10 whole garlic cloves, peeled
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Add the chicken broth, beef bouillon, soy sauce, onion powder, dried thyme, and mustard powder to a bowl or measuring jug. Stir until combined and set aside.
- In a shallow dish, combine 1/3 cup flour with 4 tablespoons Parmesan.
- Slice each chicken breast horizontally into thinner cutlets. If needed, gently pound the pieces until they are approximately 1/2 inch thick.
- Pat the chicken dry. Season both sides with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Coat each chicken cutlet in the flour and Parmesan mixture. Shake off any excess coating.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken without overcrowding the pan and cook for about 4–5 minutes per side, or until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a clean plate.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and melt the butter in the same skillet. Scrape up the flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Add the whole garlic cloves and cook gently for about 6–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly golden. Avoid burning the garlic.
- Sprinkle in 3 tablespoons of flour and cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring continuously.
- Slowly pour in the prepared broth mixture a little at a time while stirring. Continue until the mixture is smooth.
- Stir in the heavy cream and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low and gradually add the Parmesan, stirring until melted and smooth.
- Return the chicken and any accumulated juices to the skillet. Spoon the garlic cream sauce over the chicken.
- Partially cover and gently simmer for about 5 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the sauce has reached your preferred consistency.
- Garnish your Creamy Garlic Chicken with fresh parsley and serve warm.
Tips & Tricks
For evenly cooked chicken, make the cutlets approximately the same thickness before seasoning and dredging them. Patting the chicken dry also helps the flour-Parmesan coating adhere and develop a better golden crust.
Keep the heat relatively low when cooking the whole garlic cloves. Slow cooking makes them tender, mellow, and slightly sweet, while excessive heat can make garlic bitter.
Add the broth gradually after cooking the flour. Whisking or stirring continuously helps produce a smooth, creamy sauce without lumps.
For the best garlic Parmesan chicken sauce, use freshly shredded Parmesan when possible. It generally melts more smoothly than some pre-shredded varieties.
If the sauce becomes too thick, stir in a splash of chicken broth. If it seems too thin, allow it to simmer uncovered for another minute or two.
Details
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American-Inspired
- Difficulty: Easy
- Dietary Notes: Halal-friendly when prepared with halal-certified chicken, beef bouillon, Parmesan, and other applicable ingredients
Notes
For a lighter sauce, you can replace part of the heavy cream with half-and-half, although the finished sauce may be slightly thinner.
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs can also work well in this creamy chicken skillet. Adjust the cooking time as necessary and always cook chicken to a safe internal temperature.
Serve the chicken with mashed potatoes for a classic comfort-food combination. Rice, pasta, roasted potatoes, steamed broccoli, green beans, or asparagus are also excellent choices because they pair well with the creamy garlic sauce.
Nutrition
Approximate nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 620
- Protein: 45 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fat: 39 g
Nutrition values are estimates and can vary according to specific brands, portion sizes, and substitutions.
FAQ
What is Creamy Garlic Chicken made of?
It is made with pan-seared chicken cutlets served in a creamy sauce featuring whole garlic cloves, chicken broth, seasonings, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese.
Can I make creamy garlic chicken without heavy cream?
Yes. Half-and-half can be used for a lighter version, although the sauce will generally be less rich and may require additional simmering to thicken.
Why is my garlic cream sauce too thick?
The flour and Parmesan continue to thicken the sauce as it cooks and cools. Stir in small amounts of warm chicken broth until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Yes. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are a flavorful alternative. Cooking time can vary depending on their thickness, so check that the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
What goes well with garlic Parmesan chicken?
Mashed potatoes, white rice, pasta, roasted vegetables, green beans, broccoli, and crusty bread all complement the creamy sauce.
Can I prepare this creamy chicken skillet ahead of time?
Yes. You can prepare it ahead and refrigerate it after cooling. Reheat gently over low heat and add a splash of broth or cream if necessary to loosen the sauce.
Storage
Allow leftovers to cool before transferring them to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3–4 days.
For freezing, place cooled chicken and sauce in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. Cream-based sauces can change slightly in texture after thawing, so stir the sauce well during reheating.
Thaw frozen leftovers overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat gently in a covered skillet over low heat, adding a small splash of chicken broth or cream as needed. You can also microwave individual portions in short intervals until thoroughly heated.
Similar Recipes
Creamy Garlic Chicken
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 3 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
For the Garlic Cream Sauce
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 halal-certified beef bouillon cube or 1 teaspoon beef bouillon paste
- 1 teaspoon low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 10 whole garlic cloves peeled
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Add the chicken broth, beef bouillon, soy sauce, onion powder, dried thyme, and mustard powder to a bowl or measuring jug. Stir until combined and set aside.
- In a shallow dish, combine 1/3 cup flour with 4 tablespoons Parmesan.
- Slice each chicken breast horizontally into thinner cutlets. If needed, gently pound the pieces until they are approximately 1/2 inch thick.
- Pat the chicken dry. Season both sides with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Coat each chicken cutlet in the flour and Parmesan mixture. Shake off any excess coating.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken without overcrowding the pan and cook for about 4–5 minutes per side, or until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a clean plate.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and melt the butter in the same skillet. Scrape up the flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Add the whole garlic cloves and cook gently for about 6–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly golden. Avoid burning the garlic.
- Sprinkle in 3 tablespoons of flour and cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring continuously.
- Slowly pour in the prepared broth mixture a little at a time while stirring. Continue until the mixture is smooth.
- Stir in the heavy cream and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low and gradually add the Parmesan, stirring until melted and smooth.
- Return the chicken and any accumulated juices to the skillet. Spoon the garlic cream sauce over the chicken.
- Partially cover and gently simmer for about 5 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the sauce has reached your preferred consistency.
- Garnish your Creamy Garlic Chicken with fresh parsley and serve warm.
Notes
Conclusion
This Creamy Garlic Chicken recipe turns simple ingredients into a rich and comforting dinner with plenty of savory flavor. Golden chicken, tender garlic, Parmesan, and a silky cream sauce make every bite satisfying without requiring complicated techniques.
Whether you serve it over mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta, this easy chicken dinner is a versatile option for both weeknight meals and relaxed family dinners. Once you master the simple skillet sauce, it is also easy to customize with your favorite herbs and side dishes.