Amazing 1-Pan Creamy chicken with peas

By anna Boncoeur On January 1, 2026

If you need a dinner that tastes like you spent hours on it but is actually ready in under 20 minutes, then you need this creamy chicken with peas recipe in your life right now! Hi there, I’m Anna, and I’m a total food lover who focuses on sharing simple, flavorful chicken recipes designed to make your everyday cooking easier and way more joyful. I get it—weeknights are hectic. That’s why I test these skillet meals relentlessly to make sure they deliver maximum comfort and flavor fast. This one-pan wonder is proof that quick cooking doesn’t mean sacrificing that beautiful, comforting texture we all crave when dinner time rolls around.

Table Of content

Essential Components for Creamy Chicken with Peas

The beauty of this quick chicken and peas recipe is that it relies on simple pantry staples and fresh additions. We aren’t looking for fussy ingredients here; we want reliable flavor that comes together fast. Everything you need should be easy to grab before you even turn on the stove. Just make sure you measure things out before you start cooking because once the heat is on, things move quickly!

Ingredient	Amount
Olive Oil	1 tablespoon
Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts	1 pound (cut into 1-inch pieces)
Salt and Pepper	½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper
Garlic Cloves	2, minced
All-Purpose Flour	2 tablespoons
Low-Sodium Chicken Broth	1 cup
Peas (Frozen or Fresh)	1 cup
Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt	½ cup
Fresh Chives	¼ cup, chopped
Lemon Juice	1 teaspoon

Preparing the Chicken and Aromatics

For the chicken, I always advise cutting the breasts into uniform 1-inch pieces. This ensures they cook evenly and brown up nicely on all sides in that short cooking window. Don’t skip seasoning them well with salt and pepper before they hit the pan—that’s where the initial flavor foundation is built! As for the garlic, two cloves, minced fine, is perfect. You only sauté them for about 30 seconds, so you want them ready to go when the chicken comes out. If they are too chunky, they might burn before the rest of the sauce is ready.

Building the Creamy Sauce Base

The sauce is where the magic happens! We use a small amount of flour to create a light roux, which is essential for thickening the broth. Don’t worry, it cooks off quickly. Then comes the liquid—chicken broth is the base, and I always recommend low-sodium so you can control the salt level yourself. Finally, the richness comes from the sour cream. If you are using Greek yogurt instead, you’ll get that wonderful creamy texture but with a bit more tang, which I sometimes prefer!

Equipment Needed for This One-Pan Creamy Chicken with Peas

Because this is a true one-pan meal, you don’t need a huge stack of dishes when you’re done! You’ll need one good large skillet—preferably one with high sides to help contain that lovely, bubbling sauce later on. A sturdy spoon or spatula for stirring is a must, and having a measuring cup ready for the broth makes pouring much easier. Oh, and don’t forget your cutting board and a sharp knife for prepping the chicken and mincing that garlic!

Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Creamy Chicken with Peas

Okay, friend, this is where we turn ingredients into dinner magic! Since this is a quick dish, make sure everything is chopped and measured beforehand, just like we talked about. Once you start cooking, you won’t have time to hunt for the chives! If you are looking for other quick dinner ideas, check out my delicious one-pan dinner collection.

Searing the Seasoned Chicken

First things first, get that olive oil shimmering over medium-high heat in your big skillet. Toss in your seasoned chicken pieces—remember that salt and pepper we added? Let them cook for about five to six minutes. I know it’s tempting to stir them constantly, but trust me, resist! You want them to get a nice, deep golden crust on those edges. That browning is pure flavor, and it’s what separates a good dish from a great one. Once they look golden and, most importantly, they hit that safe internal temperature of 165°F when checked with a meat thermometer, pull them out and set them on a plate. Don’t wipe out the pan; all those browned bits are going to flavor our sauce!

Developing the Roux and Sauce

Turn the heat down just a little bit—medium now. Toss in your minced garlic and let it sizzle for about 30 seconds until you can really smell it. Don’t let it burn, or the whole sauce will taste bitter! Next, sprinkle in your two tablespoons of flour right over the garlic and oil. You need to stir this constantly for one full minute. This step creates the roux, which is necessary to thicken things up. After that minute, start pouring in your cup of chicken broth, but you need to do it slowly while whisking like crazy. If you dump it all in at once, you’ll get lumps, and nobody wants a lumpy sauce! Once it’s all whisked in, let it come up to a gentle simmer. Then, toss in your cup of peas and let them cook for two or three minutes until they turn that vibrant, happy green color.

Finishing the Creamy Chicken with Peas

Now for the creamy part! Take the pan off the heat for just a second, or lower the heat way, way down. Stir in your sour cream (or yogurt) and that teaspoon of bright lemon juice. Stir until everything is smooth and incorporated. If the pan is too hot when you add the dairy, it can sometimes separate, so watch your temperature here. Once the sauce looks silky, slide that cooked chicken right back into the pan. Give it a gentle stir, let it simmer for just two more minutes so the chicken heats through and soaks up the flavor, and that’s it! Turn off the heat. Right before serving, sprinkle those gorgeous fresh chives over the top for color and flavor, plus a final grind of black pepper. Serve immediately over whatever grain or pasta you have ready! For more chicken inspiration, see my collection of chicken recipes.

Tips for Success with Your Creamy Chicken with Peas

Getting this quick chicken dinner right every time is all about managing the heat and knowing what to do when things seem a little off. Trust me, I’ve learned these little tricks over years of rushing dinner together after a long day! A little troubleshooting goes a long way toward making this creamy chicken with peas feel like a five-star meal. If you want to see how I handle chicken breasts in the oven, check out my tips for juicy baked chicken breasts.

Achieving the Right Sauce Consistency

If your sauce looks a little too thin after you add the broth and peas, don’t panic! Just turn the heat back up to low and let it simmer gently—it will thicken up as the flour works its magic. If you accidentally over-thicken it, maybe because you cooked the roux a little too long, just whisk in an extra splash of chicken broth or even a little water until it loosens up to that perfect, velvety consistency you want.

Ingredient Substitutions for Creamy Chicken with Peas

Remember how I mentioned Greek yogurt? It’s a fantastic swap for sour cream if you want a little less fat or a brighter flavor. It acts exactly the same way in the sauce, just stir it in off the heat! If you run out of fresh chives, don’t sweat it; you can use dried herbs, but you need much less. I suggest substituting with about a quarter teaspoon of dried thyme when you’re sautéing the garlic for a nice earthy background note instead of the fresh oniony pop.

Frequently Asked Questions About Creamy Chicken with Peas

I always get a ton of questions about making sure any quick chicken dinner comes out perfectly, especially when dealing with sauces. Here are the things I hear most often about this specific creamy chicken with peas recipe! You can find more tips on quick meals on my Pinterest page.

Can I make this Creamy Chicken with Peas ahead of time?

You absolutely can prep this ahead! Cook the chicken and make the sauce completely, but hold off on adding the sour cream/yogurt right at the end. Store the sauce and chicken separately, or together if you must, in the fridge for up to three days. When reheating, gently warm the sauce mixture, then stir in the sour cream right at the very end before serving. Reheating dairy sauces too aggressively can sometimes cause them to break, so low and slow is the way to go!

What is the best way to serve this Creamy Chicken with Peas?

This dish is designed to soak up that gorgeous sauce, so you definitely need something underneath! My family usually prefers serving this over fluffy white rice—it’s classic comfort food that way. Quinoa is a great, healthier option if you’re watching your grains. Honestly though, it’s fantastic pooled over some wide egg noodles or even alongside some crusty bread for dipping. Whatever you choose, make sure it can handle that creamy sauce!

Storing and Reheating Your Leftover Creamy Chicken with Peas

Leftovers are the best part of making a delicious one-pan meal, right? This creamy chicken with peas holds up really well, but you do need to treat that creamy sauce kindly when you put it away. I always aim to cool the dish down quickly before storing it in the fridge. Don’t leave it sitting out on the counter for more than two hours—food safety first, always!

When you reheat it, remember that the sauce might look a little tighter or thicker than when it was fresh. That’s normal! You’ll want to add a splash of broth or even just water while heating it gently on the stove. Never blast it in the microwave, or that sour cream might get grainy on you. Low and slow reheating keeps this quick chicken dinner tasting almost homemade the next day.

Storage Method	Duration
Airtight Container (Refrigerator)	3 to 4 days
Freezer (Airtight Container)	Up to 1 month

Share Your Creamy Chicken with Peas Experience

I genuinely hope this simple, flavorful recipe has made one of your weeknights a little easier and a lot tastier! I love hearing how you’ve adapted this quick chicken dinner in your own kitchens. Did you use chicken thighs instead? Did the Greek yogurt make it tangier than you expected? Don’t be shy, tell me all about it below!

Drop a rating if this creamy chicken with peas saved your dinner plans this week. Seeing your comments and stars lets me know I’m on the right track sharing these easy, comforting meals with you all!