There’s something irresistibly comforting about a rich, velvety sauce paired with tender chicken — and that’s exactly what makes the Creamy Garlic Chicken Skillet Recipe so special. The garlic flavor seeps into every bite, and the skillet method means you get that perfect golden sear with minimal fuss. Trust me, it’s a dinner you’ll want on repeat.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
This recipe has become a go-to in my kitchen because it’s foolproof, packed with flavor, and always gets rave reviews around the table. Plus, the creamy garlic sauce feels so indulgent but comes together pretty quickly.
- Simple Ingredients: You likely have most of what you need already in your pantry, from garlic to chicken broth.
- One-Skillet Cooking: Less mess and minimal cleanup means you can enjoy your meal without dreading the sink.
- Rich, Creamy Sauce: The sauce is luxuriously smooth and perfectly garlicky without being overpowering.
- Versatile and Customizable: This recipe adapts well to what you have on hand, making it perfect any night of the week.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient here plays a vital role in building that creamy garlic goodness. I especially love that this uses whole garlic cloves that gently cook down into sweet, mellow bites instead of just raw garlic powder.
- Chicken breasts: Choose boneless and skinless for quick cooking and easy slicing into cutlets.
- Italian seasoning: Adds a subtle herbal note without overwhelming the garlic flavors.
- Salt & black pepper: Basic but essential for seasoning both the chicken and the sauce properly.
- All-purpose flour: Helps create a light crust on the chicken and thickens the sauce later on.
- Olive oil & butter: Together they make a flavorful fat base for searing and sautéing.
- Garlic bulb: Fresh garlic cloves bring that deeply aromatic, garlicky punch when sautéed.
- Chicken broth: Adds savory depth and thins the sauce just enough before thickening.
- Heavy cream: The key to a luscious, smooth sauce that clings to every bite.
- Garlic powder: Boosts the roasted garlic flavor without adding raw sharpness.
Make It Your Way
I love tweaking this dish depending on the season and what’s in the fridge. You can easily swap chicken breasts for thighs or add veggies to the skillet to make it a full meal in one pan.
- Variation: I sometimes throw in sliced mushrooms or spinach during the sauce simmer phase to add extra texture and nutrition — it’s delicious and sneaky good!
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Garlic Chicken Skillet Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Season Your Chicken
First, I like to slice the chicken breasts into thinner cutlets — this helps them cook quickly and evenly. Then, sprinkle your Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper all over both sides. Next, dust the chicken with flour, rubbing it in well so each piece has a light coating. This will lift the sauce later and add a little crispiness to the chicken’s exterior.
Step 2: Sear the Chicken to Golden Perfection
Heat a large skillet over medium heat, then add olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter. When it’s shimmering, carefully lay the chicken pieces down without crowding the pan. Cook each side for about 4 minutes until they turn a beautiful golden brown and are cooked through. Remove chicken to a plate and cover to keep warm — don’t skip this step or the chicken will dry out!
Step 3: Sauté the Garlic
While the chicken rests, peel and smash the garlic cloves gently with the side of your knife — this releases the flavor without pulverizing them into mush. Add the remaining tablespoon of butter to the skillet, then toss in the garlic. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for about 3 minutes, stirring often, until the cloves turn golden and fragrant. This step infuses the sauce with that mellow roasted garlic aroma that’s just irresistible.
Step 4: Build and Simmer the Creamy Sauce
Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, then sprinkle the garlic powder into the skillet. Use your spatula to scrape up those tasty browned bits from the bottom — all that flavor is worth it! Let the sauce simmer gently for 8-10 minutes, until it reduces by half and thickens. Taste and add a pinch more salt and pepper if you like — small adjustments here make all the difference.
Step 5: Finish and Serve
Return the chicken back to the skillet and spoon the creamy sauce over each piece. Allow everything to warm together for a few minutes so the flavors meld perfectly. Optional but highly recommended: sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley for a bright, fresh pop of color and flavor. Then dive in and enjoy!
Top Tip
In all my attempts at this Creamy Garlic Chicken Skillet Recipe, a few tricks helped me get it just right—so I’m passing them on to you to save time and flavor heartbreak.
- Don’t Skip the Resting: Letting the cooked chicken rest on a plate keeps juices locked in and keeps your chicken tender instead of dry.
- Gentle Garlic Sauté: Watch your garlic closely while sautéing—burnt garlic turns bitter fast, so keep it moving in the pan.
- Scrape Flavorful Bits: Those brown bits on the skillet bottom are gold — scraping them into your sauce builds deep, savory layers.
- Adjust Salt Late: Since broth adds saltiness, wait until your sauce reduces before adding extra salt so you don’t overshoot.
How to Serve Creamy Garlic Chicken Skillet Recipe
Garnishes
I always top this dish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley — it adds a lovely color contrast and a bright herbaceous note that cuts through the richness beautifully. A squeeze of lemon juice on top is a great option sometimes too when I want a bit more brightness.
Side Dishes
My favorite sides include buttery mashed potatoes or creamy risotto that soak up the garlic sauce. Roasted green beans or a simple mixed greens salad with vinaigrette also balance the richness well.
Creative Ways to Present
For dinner parties, I like plating the chicken over a bed of sautéed spinach with a drizzle of the creamy sauce and a few roasted cherry tomatoes on the side—it looks so vibrant and inviting, plus tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and they stay great for up to 3 days. The sauce thickens as it sits, so just add a splash of milk or broth when reheating to loosen it back up.
Freezing
This recipe freezes well if you wrap it tightly—freeze in portions to make reheating easier. When thawing, let it thaw overnight in the fridge for best results.
Reheating
I reheat gently in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave with a small splash of broth or cream to keep the sauce creamy and smooth.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work wonderfully and stay juicy and tender, plus they add a bit more richness to this creamy garlic dish.
If you want a lighter version, half-and-half or whole milk with a little cornstarch whisked in can work, but the sauce won’t be quite as rich or thick. For dairy-free, coconut milk is an option though it changes the flavor profile.
Yes! You can prepare the chicken and sauce separately and store them in the fridge. Then gently reheat and combine before serving to keep everything fresh and tasty.
Keeping the heat to medium-low and stirring frequently are key to sautéing garlic without burning. If your garlic starts browning too fast, lower the heat immediately to avoid bitterness.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Garlic Chicken Skillet Recipe is the kind of dish that feels special yet is so easy it quickly became part of my regular dinner rotation. Whether you’re feeding family or cooking for yourself, the luscious garlicky sauce paired with perfectly seared chicken will make you smile. Give it a try — I’m betting it’ll become one of your favorites too!
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Creamy Garlic Chicken Skillet Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
This Creamy Garlic Chicken recipe features tender chicken breasts cooked to golden perfection and served in a rich, flavorful garlic cream sauce. The dish is easy to prepare with simple ingredients and makes for a comforting and elegant meal perfect for any night of the week.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.3 lbs total)
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
Cooking Fats
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoon butter, divided
Garlic Sauce
- 1 whole garlic bulb (about 8-9 garlic cloves)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Using a sharp knife, fillet each chicken breast into two thinner cutlets or use thin-cut chicken breasts. Season each breast with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Sprinkle the flour over both sides and rub it in until evenly coated.
- Cook the chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter. When the skillet is hot, add the chicken and cook about 4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken to a plate and cover to keep warm.
- Prepare the garlic: While the chicken cooks, peel the garlic cloves and smash each clove with the side of a large chef's knife, pressing down with the heel of your hand.
- Sauté the garlic: To the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter and the smashed garlic cloves. Reduce heat to medium-low and sauté garlic for 3 minutes or until lightly browned and fragrant, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
- Make the sauce: Pour chicken broth and heavy cream into the skillet. Add garlic powder and stir, scraping up browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Simmer the sauce for 8-10 minutes until reduced and thickened by about half. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Combine and serve: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, spoon the creamy garlic sauce over the chicken, and heat through. Optionally garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- You can substitute boneless, skinless chicken thighs for chicken breasts if preferred.
- If short on time, use 2.5 tablespoon of pre-minced garlic instead of fresh cloves.
- Use medium-low heat when sautéing garlic to prevent burning and bitterness.
- Make sure to coat the chicken thoroughly with flour to get a nice golden crust.
- Cover the cooked chicken to keep it warm while preparing the sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
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