Description
This Creamy Garlic Chicken recipe features tender chicken breasts cooked to golden perfection and smothered in a rich, creamy garlic sauce. The sauce is made by sautéing whole garlic cloves and simmering them with chicken broth and heavy cream, resulting in a flavorful and comforting dish perfect for a weeknight dinner or special occasion.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.3 lbs. total)
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
Cooking Fats
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 Tbsp butter, divided
Garlic Sauce
- 1 whole garlic bulb (about 8–9 garlic cloves)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Using a sharp knife, carefully fillet each chicken breast into two thinner cutlets or use thin-cut chicken breasts directly. Season both sides of each chicken piece with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Coat both sides evenly with the all-purpose flour by sprinkling and rubbing it in.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add olive oil along with 1 tablespoon of butter. Once the skillet is hot, add the chicken cutlets and cook each side for about 4 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and place it on a clean plate, covering to keep warm.
- Prep the Garlic: While the chicken cooks, peel the garlic cloves from the bulb. Using the side of a large chef’s knife, smash each garlic clove by pressing down firmly with the heel of your hand to release the flavor.
- Sauté the Garlic: To the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter, then add the smashed garlic cloves. Reduce heat to medium-low and sauté for about 3 minutes until the garlic is lightly browned and fragrant. Stir frequently to prevent burning.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: Pour the chicken broth and heavy cream into the skillet with the garlic. Add garlic powder and stir well, scraping up all the brown bits from the bottom of the skillet. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it reduces and thickens by about half.
- Season the Sauce: Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning by adding approximately 1/8 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper or to your preference.
- Combine and Serve: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, spoon the creamy garlic sauce over the top, and allow the chicken to warm through in the sauce for a minute or two. Optionally, garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving. Enjoy your creamy garlic chicken!
Notes
- You can use thin-cut chicken breasts or butterfly the chicken breasts to speed up cooking.
- Be careful not to burn the garlic while sautéing; cook on medium-low heat and stir frequently.
- Feel free to add fresh parsley or other herbs like thyme for extra flavor.
- This recipe pairs well with steamed vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a side of rice.
- Leftover creamy garlic chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce (approximately 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
