This creamy garlic chicken is a quick and easy weeknight dish that also happens to be delicious.
For simple comfort food, look no further than creamy garlic chicken. The recipe a one-pot wonder, which makes it perfect for a quick weeknight meal. And while it’s as easy as it is delicious, you’ll still get to show off some technique by making a roux to achieve that perfect thick and creamy sauce. Follow along to make your family’s next favorite dinner!
Creamy Garlic Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
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2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, halved
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, divided
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
1 whole garlic bulb, peeled and separated into cloves
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
Directions
Step 1: Butterfly chicken
On a clean cutting board, use a sharp knife to butterfly your chicken by halving the breasts horizontally, so you have 4 thinner pieces.
Using a meat mallet, pound chicken to 1/2-inch thickness. If you don’t have a meat mallet, use a rolling pan or cast-iron skillet.
Step 2: Dredge chicken
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In a shallow bowl, mix 1/2 cup flour, salt and pepper. Dredge chicken by dipping each piece into the flour mixture to coat both sides, then shaking off any excess flour.
Step 3: Cook chicken
Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken until it’s well browned on both sides. Set the chicken aside.
Step 4: Make creamy sauce and serve
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In the same skillet, melt butter on medium heat. Add garlic cloves and onion. Cook and stir until lightly browned, 2-3 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining 1 tablespoon flour, and mix well. Gradually stir in cream, broth and garlic powder. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cook and stir until slightly thickened, 4-6 minutes. Stir in Parmesan cheese.
Return the chicken to the pan and allow to heat through. Serve with a sprinkle of fresh parsley. Next, learn how to make Chinese chicken with garlic sauce.
Tips for Making Creamy Garlic Chicken
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What is the secret to moist chicken breast?
There are a couple tricks to avoid a dried out, unappetizing chicken breast. When cooking, allow the chicken to naturally brown by not moving it around too much. Don’t press on it to release the juices. And let your chicken rest before cutting into it. That will allow all the juices to reabsorb into the chicken before it’s cut, giving you a perfectly moist chicken breast.
What do you serve with creamy garlic chicken?
Balance out your creamy chicken with a vegetable side dish to make a perfect meal. Whether it’s a cold salad or some Parmesan roasted broccoli, something green will go great with this creamy garlic chicken.
Can you freeze creamy garlic chicken?
This dish is best eaten when eaten fresh, or within a week of making it. Freezing it is possible, but it will likely affect the creamy texture, so I recommend eating it before you have to freeze it!
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Risa Lichtman is a chef and writer living in Portland, Oregon. She is the owner/chef of Lepage Food & Drinks, a small food company featuring Jewish seasonal foods, providing takeaway all around Portland. She has previously published poems in Poetica Magazine, the anthology The Art of Bicycling, Maggid: A Journal of Jewish Literature, and The Dos Passos Review. She lives with her wife Jamie, their dog Isaac, and their cat Sylvia. Follow her at @risaexpizza, or find her delicious food offerings on @lepagefoodanddrinks.
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Updated: Jul. 12, 2023
