Description
Creamy Garlic Chicken is a flavorful and comforting skillet dish featuring tender boneless, skinless chicken breasts cooked to golden perfection and simmered in a rich garlic-infused cream sauce with Parmesan cheese and Italian herbs. This easy-to-make meal is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner and pairs beautifully with pasta, mashed potatoes, or steamed vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Garlic Sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or a mix of dried basil, oregano, and thyme)
- 1 tablespoon butter (optional, for extra richness)
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt and pepper on both sides. Place the chicken breasts in the skillet and cook for 6-7 minutes per side until they are golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Garlic Sauce: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes while stirring constantly until fragrant, taking care not to burn the garlic.
- Add Liquids: Pour in the chicken broth and stir, scraping the bottom of the skillet to deglaze and lift up any flavorful browned bits. Allow the broth to simmer for 2-3 minutes to slightly reduce.
- Add the Cream and Parmesan: Stir in the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning. Let the sauce simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to your preferred consistency. If the sauce becomes too thick, adjust by adding a small amount of chicken broth or cream.
- Finish the Dish: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, spoon some sauce over them, and simmer for another 3-5 minutes so the chicken absorbs the flavors and heats through. For extra creaminess, stir in 1 tablespoon of butter at this stage.
- Serve: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve immediately alongside your favorite sides like pasta, mashed potatoes, or steamed vegetables.
Notes
- Ensure chicken breasts are cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) for safe eating.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth if you want to control the saltiness of the dish.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese provides the best flavor for the sauce.
- Butter is optional but adds richness and a silky texture to the cream sauce.
- Leftover sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and gently reheated.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a blend of milk and cream, but the sauce will be less thick.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
