Amazing 30-Minute Creamy Garlic Chicken

Name: Amazing 30-Minute Creamy Garlic Chicken
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.3 pounds total), sliced into 4 thin cutlets; 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 1/4 cup all-purpose flour; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 2 tablespoons butter, divided; 1 whole bulb garlic, 8 to 9 cloves, peeled and lightly smashed; 1 cup chicken broth; 3/4 cup heavy cream; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; Salt and black pepper to taste; Chopped fresh parsley for serving

By anna Boncoeur On December 4, 2025

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If you are staring into your fridge at 5:30 PM wondering how you’re going to get dinner on the table that tastes like you spent hours on it, then I have the answer for you: Creamy Garlic Chicken. Seriously, this dish is my go-to secret weapon. It’s rich, it’s cozy, and the best part? It goes from prep to plate in about 30 minutes flat. Wow! I’m Anna, and I’m a passionate food lover who is obsessed with sharing simple and flavorful chicken recipes designed to make your everyday cooking easier and way more joyful. Trust me, this skillet dinner is about to become your weeknight hero.

Table Of content

Gathering Your Ingredients for Creamy Garlic Chicken

Getting ready for this amazing Creamy Garlic Chicken skillet dinner is super straightforward. Since this cooks so fast, having everything prepped ahead of time is key—you don’t want to be frantically chopping garlic while your chicken overcooks! We’re using simple pantry staples here, but please pay close attention to how we handle the chicken prep; it makes a huge difference in the final texture.

We need enough ingredients here to feed four hungry people, so measure everything out before you turn on the heat. I’ve broken down what you need below, but first, let’s talk about the two main groups: the chicken prep and the sauce building blocks.

Chicken and Seasoning Components

For the chicken, we’re taking standard breasts and slicing them thin into cutlets. This ensures they cook quickly and evenly, which is the secret to not drying them out! After seasoning them with Italian spice, salt, and pepper, we give them a light dusting of flour. Don’t skip that flour, folks; it’s what helps give us those lovely browned bits to flavor the sauce later, and it helps thicken things up naturally.

Building the Rich Garlic Cream Sauce

The real star here is the garlic. I insist on using fresh cloves—at least 8 or 9 of them! Lightly smashing them releases so much more flavor than just chopping them. We sauté those smashed cloves gently in a mix of olive oil and butter. That butter adds richness, but the oil keeps it from burning too fast. For the liquid base, we use good chicken broth for depth and heavy cream because, well, it’s called Creamy Garlic Chicken, and we aren’t skimping on the good stuff here!

Table of Ingredients for Creamy Garlic Chicken

Here is the full rundown so you can check your pantry. Make sure you have everything ready to go for this quick chicken recipe!

Component	Amount	Notes
Chicken Breasts	2 (about 1.3 lbs total)	Sliced into 4 thin cutlets
Italian Seasoning	1/2 teaspoon
Flour	1/4 cup	For dusting the chicken
Olive Oil	2 tablespoons
Butter	2 tablespoons, divided	1 tbsp for searing, 1 tbsp for garlic
Fresh Garlic	8 to 9 cloves	Peeled and lightly smashed
Chicken Broth	1 cup
Heavy Cream	3/4 cup
Garlic Powder	1/2 teaspoon
Fresh Parsley	For serving	Roughly chopped

Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Creamy Garlic Chicken

This is where the magic happens, and honestly, it moves fast! The key to getting this Creamy Garlic Chicken right is controlling your heat, especially when we start working with the garlic. We need that beautiful golden sear on the chicken first, and then we need to treat the garlic gently so it becomes sweet, not bitter.

Preparing and Searing the Chicken

First things first: get those chicken breasts sliced horizontally into four thin cutlets. Thinner means faster cooking, which means juicier chicken! Pat every single piece completely dry with paper towels—moisture is the enemy of a good sear. Now, season them up really well on both sides with the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Next, lightly dust both sides with that flour we talked about, making sure to rub it in so it coats evenly. Don’t use too much, or it gets gummy later!

Heat your large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil along with one tablespoon of butter. Wait until the butter melts and the pan feels nice and hot. Lay the floured cutlets in a single layer—don’t crowd the pan, or they’ll steam! Cook for about 4 minutes on each side until they are beautifully golden brown. Remember our safety rule: use a thermometer to check that the thickest part hits 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Once they are done, pull them out and keep them warm on a plate while we tackle the sauce.

Developing the Aromatic Cream Sauce Base

Now, drop that heat down to medium-low. This is crucial! Add the remaining tablespoon of butter, and toss in your lightly smashed garlic cloves. We are gently sautéing these for about 3 minutes, stirring constantly. You want them fragrant and lightly golden, but if they start turning dark brown, you’ve gone too far—pull them off the heat immediately! Those browned bits on the bottom of the pan are pure flavor, so don’t waste them.

Time to deglaze! Pour in the full cup of chicken broth and the heavy cream, stirring vigorously to scrape up all those tasty browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add your garlic powder in here too and give it a good whisk.

Simmering and Thickening the Sauce

Bring this mixture up to a gentle simmer—not a rolling boil, just a happy little bubble. Let it cook uncovered for about 8 to 10 minutes, stirring every few minutes. You’ll notice the sauce start to cling to your spoon; it should reduce and thicken by about half. This reduction concentrates the flavor beautifully. Once it looks right, give it a taste test and adjust the salt and pepper. It should taste rich and deeply garlicky!

Finishing the Creamy Garlic Chicken Skillet

Finally, take those warm, cooked chicken cutlets and nestle them right back into that gorgeous sauce. Let everything heat through together for just 2 or 3 minutes. You’re just warming the chicken back up and letting it soak in some of that creamy goodness. Sprinkle generously with fresh parsley, and get ready to serve your incredible Creamy Garlic Chicken right away!

Tips for Achieving Expert-Level Creamy Garlic Chicken

Even though this is a quick weeknight meal, paying attention to a few details is what separates a good dinner from a truly unforgettable Creamy Garlic Chicken. I’ve learned these tricks over years of trying to get that perfect restaurant texture without spending an hour at the stove.

Temperature and Texture Secrets

My number one non-negotiable is the chicken temperature. Always, always verify that chicken hits 165 degrees Fahrenheit internally. If you cook it too long just to be “sure,” you’ll end up with dry meat, even buried in sauce. Also, remember that light dusting of flour we put on the cutlets? That’s not just for browning! It’s a vital player in thickening our sauce naturally. It mixes with the butter and broth to create a stable base for the cream, ensuring your sauce clings perfectly to every piece of chicken.

Ingredient Swaps for Customizing Your Creamy Garlic Chicken

This recipe is very flexible, which I love for busy nights! If you’re out of heavy cream, you can absolutely swap it for half-and-half, but you might want to reduce the chicken broth slightly to make sure the sauce still reduces down nicely and doesn’t stay too thin. Also, if you don’t have Italian seasoning on hand, a mix of dried thyme and oregano works beautifully, though fresh herbs always win in my book!

For a richer sauce, don’t hesitate to grate a little Parmesan cheese into the sauce right before you return the chicken to the pan. It melts right in and adds an incredible savory kick to your Creamy Garlic Chicken. If you are looking for more ways to use chicken in creamy dishes, check out my creamiest chicken stroganoff recipe!

Serving Suggestions for Your Creamy Garlic Chicken

The best part about this rich, garlicky sauce is that it begs to be served over something that can soak up every last drop! You absolutely need a vehicle for all that deliciousness. For a classic cozy night, I always go for angel hair pasta or creamy mashed potatoes. Both are fantastic at catching the sauce. If you are looking for other great skillet meals, this skillet bang bang chicken thighs recipe is a winner.

If you’re trying to keep things lighter, try serving the Creamy Garlic Chicken over steamed rice or some fluffy quinoa. A simple side of roasted asparagus or some quick sautéed green beans tossed with a little lemon juice cuts through the richness perfectly. Keep the sides simple, because this chicken is the main event! For more easy weeknight ideas, take a look at this delicious one-pan dinner.

Storing and Reheating Leftover Creamy Garlic Chicken

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers of this spectacular Creamy Garlic Chicken, storing it correctly is key to keeping that sauce silky smooth. Place the chicken and any remaining sauce into an airtight container. I usually aim to cool it down on the counter for just thirty minutes before sealing it up and popping it in the fridge. It keeps well for about three days.

When you’re ready to reheat, resist the urge to blast it in the microwave! The cream sauce can separate with high heat. Instead, use low heat on the stovetop. Add a tiny splash of extra chicken broth or even a spoonful of fresh cream to loosen the sauce back up before gently warming the chicken through. This keeps your meal tasting almost as good as the first night!

Storage Tip	Guidance
Refrigeration Time	Up to 3 days in an airtight container
Reheating Method	Low and slow on the stovetop
Sauce Fix	Add a splash of broth or cream if sauce thickens too much

Frequently Asked Questions About Creamy Garlic Chicken

I get so many questions about this Creamy Garlic Chicken because people are always looking for that perfect quick chicken recipe that still feels special. Here are a few things I hear most often when people are making this delicious skillet dinner for the first time!

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts

Oh yes, absolutely! Chicken thighs are actually fantastic here because they have a little more fat, which means they stay juicy even if you accidentally cook them a minute or two too long. If you use thighs instead of the thin cutlets, just make sure you cook them until they reach that safe 165 degrees Fahrenheit internally. They might take 5 to 7 minutes per side instead of just 4, but the flavor payoff is worth it!

How do I make the sauce thicker without burning the garlic

This is the trickiest part of any good cream sauce, right? The secret to keeping your garlic sweet and preventing that bitter burn is managing the heat when you sauté it. You need that medium-low setting after you sear the chicken. If your pan feels too hot, pull it off the burner completely for 30 seconds while you add the garlic. It should sizzle gently, not aggressively pop and brown instantly. Remember, the flour you used on the chicken and the reduction time with the cream do most of the thickening work for you!

Is this Creamy Garlic Chicken recipe suitable for meal prep

It’s great for meal prep, but you have to remember what I said about reheating! Because it’s a cream-based sauce, it tends to seize up in the fridge. When you reheat it, you need to add that splash of liquid to loosen it back up. If you plan on eating it over pasta for lunch during the week, consider storing the sauce and chicken separately from the pasta. That way, the pasta doesn’t get soggy while waiting for you to reheat the main dish!

Sharing Your Creamy Garlic Chicken Experience

I truly hope this Creamy Garlic Chicken brightens up one of your busy weeknights! Cooking should be fun, and I’d love to hear how it turned out for you. Did you pair it with potatoes or pasta? Let me know how you liked this quick chicken recipe in the comments below, and please leave a star rating so other busy cooks know it’s a winner! You can also find more inspiration on my Pinterest page.

Estimated Nutritional Information for Creamy Garlic Chicken

I know a lot of you are watching what you eat, even when you’re whipping up something comforting like this Creamy Garlic Chicken. Since we are using lean chicken breasts and keeping the vegetables simple, this skillet dinner comes out surprisingly balanced! Remember that these numbers are just estimates based on the ingredients listed, so yours might vary a bit depending on the exact size of your chicken breasts and how much sauce you ladle on!

Here is a general breakdown for four servings:

Nutrient	Estimate Per Serving
Calories	520
Protein	34g
Total Fat	38g
Carbohydrates	9g

As you can see, you get a great punch of protein in every serving! If you were to use chicken thighs, the fat content would go up slightly, but the flavor gets richer, which is always a trade-off worth considering. Enjoy this delicious meal!