Description
This Creamy Garlic Chicken recipe features tender boneless, skinless chicken breasts cooked to golden perfection in a rich and velvety garlic-infused cream sauce. Enhanced with herbs like thyme and basil, Parmesan cheese, and fresh parsley, this comforting skillet dish is perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
Sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Heat fats: Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat until the butter is melted and the oil is hot, preparing the pan for cooking the chicken.
- Cook chicken: Place the chicken breasts in the skillet and cook for about 5-7 minutes per side, or until golden brown on the outside and fully cooked through internally.
- Rest chicken: Transfer the cooked chicken breasts to a plate and set aside to rest, allowing the juices to redistribute.
- Sauté garlic: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly until fragrant and slightly golden but not burnt.
- Add broth: Pour in the chicken broth, bringing the mixture to a simmer while scraping up any browned bits from the skillet bottom to incorporate flavor.
- Reduce broth: Allow the chicken broth to simmer gently for 2-3 minutes to slightly reduce and concentrate flavors.
- Add cream: Lower the heat to medium-low and pour in the heavy cream, stirring constantly to combine it smoothly with the broth.
- Season sauce: Stir in dried thyme, dried basil, salt, and black pepper, mixing well to incorporate the herbs and seasonings.
- Simmer sauce: Continue to simmer the sauce for 4-5 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly to a creamy consistency.
- Add Parmesan: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and cook for another 2-3 minutes, letting the cheese melt fully into the sauce.
- Return chicken: Nestle the rested chicken breasts back into the creamy sauce in the skillet for flavor absorption.
- Simmer with chicken: Let the chicken simmer in the sauce for 5 minutes, spooning sauce over the chicken occasionally to coat evenly.
- Remove from heat: Once the chicken is heated through and fully coated in sauce, remove the skillet from the heat to stop cooking.
- Garnish: Sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley atop the chicken and sauce for a fresh color and fragrance boost.
- Serve: Serve the creamy garlic chicken immediately, spooning extra sauce over the chicken and optionally alongside your favorite sides like mashed potatoes or vegetables.
Notes
- For juicier chicken, let the breasts rest after cooking before adding them back into the sauce.
- Use fresh garlic for the best flavor, but garlic powder can substitute if needed.
- If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of chicken broth or cream to loosen it.
- Pair with steamed vegetables, rice, or pasta to make a complete meal.
- To make this dish lighter, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, though the sauce won’t be as rich.
