Something about the fragrance of Easy Creamy Garlic Chicken bubbling on the stove takes me straight back to my mom’s weeknight kitchenwarm, a little loud, and always filled with the scent of garlic butter. This creamy chicken dish has been trending on TikTok, and for good reason. It’s fast, flavorful, and uses one pan, 30 minutes, and no complicated techniques.
This one’s all about a rich, dreamy pan sauce hugging tender boneless skinless chicken breaststhanks to fresh garlic, heavy cream, and a kick of warm spice. Best part? You probably already have everything you need. Think of it like a comforting twist on chicken alfredohold the pasta, keep the cozy vibes. Scroll for the full breakdown and tips!
I picked up the art of finishing pan sauces from my grandfather. he stirred with one hand and sipped iced tea with the other. This version is a tested, reliable recipe loaded with real-food flavor. I adjusted the cream ratio and finished it with a secret swirl that takes it from simple to unforgettable.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Creamy Garlic Chicken
Ready in just 20 minutes: Perfect for busy weeknights when quick and satisfying is the name of the game.
One-pan wonder: Minimal cleanup means more time to relax after dinnerjust one skillet for the win!
Cozy, nostalgic flavors: The creamy garlic sauce is pure comfort food, perfect for family dinners or chilly evenings.
Budget-friendly: Uses simple, everyday ingredients you likely already have in your fridge or pantry.
Key Ingredients and What Makes Them Shine
What makes this dish so special is how a few humble ingredients come together for something truly satisfying:
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Lean, tender, and ideal for soaking up all that delicious sauce. For extra flavor, season generously.
Thickened (heavy) cream: The rich base for the sauceadds body and silkiness with just the right indulgence.
Fresh garlic: Minced and sautéed to bring out its natural sweetness and aromadon’t skip this.
Parmesan cheese: Adds a nutty, salty depth that complements the cream beautifully and helps thicken the sauce.
Spices like paprika, onion powder, and thyme: Add warmth, complexity, and subtle earthiness to balance the richness.
This recipe layers flavor thoughtfullynothing fancy, just real ingredients cooked with care in under 20 minutes.
Yellow mustard (milder), white wine vinegar (just a splash)
How to Make Easy Creamy Garlic Chicken
Here’s a step-by-step breakdown to walk you through this fast and flavorful dish:
Season and coat: Pat the chicken dry and season evenly with salt, pepper, paprika, onion powder, and dried thyme. Lightly dredge in flour for a golden crust.
Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil and a knob of butter in a large skillet over medium-high. Sear the chicken for about 5–6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and tent with foil.
Make the sauce: In the same pan, melt a bit more butter and gently sauté the minced garlic for about 30 secondsdon’t let it brown. Deglaze with chicken stock, scraping up brown bits, and simmer until reduced by half (1–2 minutes).
Combine and thicken: Reduce heat to low and stir in the heavy cream, Dijon mustard, and Parmesan. Simmer gently until slightly thickened, about 2–3 minutes. Stir occasionally to avoid sticking.
Return the chicken: Place the chicken back in the pan, spoon sauce over the top, and simmer briefly (2–3 minutes), allowing the flavors to marry.
Step
Timing
Details
Season and coat chicken
2 minutes
Ensure an even flour coating for crisp sear and flavor sealing.
Cook chicken
6 minutes
Sear on both sides until golden and internal temp reaches 165°F.
Make the sauce
4 minutes
Deglaze effectively to capture flavor and build a rich base.
Simmer chicken in sauce
2–3 minutes
Allows chicken to heat through and sauce to thicken slightly.
Serving & Storage Tips
Serve with: This Creamy Garlic Chicken is fantastic with mashed potatoes, pasta, or any grain that can soak up the sauce. Add a side of sautéed greens such as spinach, kale, or broccolini. Garnish with chopped parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten the flavors.
Storing leftovers: Cool completely before storing. Place leftover chicken and sauce in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat thoroughly until the chicken is piping hot throughout.
Storage
Method
Notes
Refrigerate
Up to 3 days
Keep everything sealed and covered in sauce to prevent drying out.
Reheat (stovetop)
Low heat, covered
Add a splash of cream, water, or broth to rehydrate the sauce.
Reheat (microwave)
In short bursts (30–40 seconds)
Stir gently in between to maintain sauce texture.
Note: This recipe is best enjoyed fresh or within a few days; cream-based sauces tend to separate if frozen and reheated, which affects texture.
This Easy Creamy Garlic Chicken works because of its balancerichness from cream, aromatics from garlic, and umami depth from Parmesan. The secret is letting the garlic gently sweat without burning and emulsifying the cream slowly with the pan juices. A swirl of Dijon provides contrast to the richness. Keep it low and slow for success!
For more delicious recipes and cooking inspiration, follow me on Facebook, Pinterest and Reddit!
How I Finally Mastered This Easy Creamy Garlic Chicken
Not every batch was a home run at first. I learned the hard waytoo much garlic can overwhelm, and over-reducing the sauce makes it pasty. But with a few tweaks, I found the right cream-to-stock ratio and timing. Now it’s a go-to recipe I proudly serve to guests or tuck into on solo nights!
FAQs ( Simple Creamy Garlic Chicken )
Conclusion
Your Easy Creamy Garlic Chicken comes together in under 30 minutes, making even your busiest nights feel special. Tender, golden chicken in a velvety garlic cream sauceit’s that kind of cozy you’ll crave again and again.
Feel free to make it your own! Chicken thighs, fresh herbs, or a pinch of chili flakes can add new twists. Want to impress company? Toss in baby spinach or mushrooms for extra flair. And here’s a pro tip: let the sauce rest a few minutes off the heat before servingit develops deeper flavor.
Snap some pics and tag me if you try it, and don’t be shy about tweaking it to match your taste. Recipes like this were made to be sharedjust like the memories they spark.
Enjoy this easy Creamy Garlic Chicken recipe that’s perfect for quick and delicious weeknight dinners. Featuring tender boneless skinless chicken breasts simmered in a rich, creamy garlic sauce, this dish stands out among Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast Recipes and Chicken Breast Meals. Ready in under 20 minutes, it’s a perfect savory delight for any occasion.
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in half horizontally to make 4 steaks
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp cracked black pepper
1 tsp sweet paprika
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp dried thyme
¼ cup (35 g) plain (all-purpose flour)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp unsalted butter
1 tbsp unsalted butter (for sauce)
1 tbsp freshly minced garlic
½ cup (125 ml) chicken stock
300 ml (10 fl oz) thickened (heavy) cream
1 tsp dijon mustard
½ cup (50 g) grated parmesan
Salt and cracked black pepper, to taste
Mashed potatoes, steamed rice or pasta (to serve)
Steamed greens (to serve)
1 tbsp finely chopped parsley
Lemon wedges
Method
Sprinkle the chicken with salt, pepper, sweet paprika, onion powder and thyme.
Press the chicken into the flour so that all sides are evenly coated.
Heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large, deep frying pan over medium–high heat.
Add the chicken and cook for 5–6 minutes, or until the chicken is just cooked, turning once halfway through.
Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside on a plate.
To the same pan, add the butter for the sauce. Once melted, add the garlic, stirring for 30 seconds.
Add the chicken stock and cook for 1–2 minutes until it has evaporated by at least half.
Stir in the cream and Dijon mustard, reduce the heat to medium, and simmer for 2 minutes until the sauce has thickened slightly.
Stir through the parmesan, season to taste, then return the chicken to the pan for 2–3 minutes or until the chicken is heated through.
Serve the chicken with rice, mashed potatoes or pasta and a side of steamed greens.
Top with freshly chopped parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice.
Notes
MAKE AHEAD: Creamy Garlic chicken can be made ahead to make weeknights easier. Refrigerate the cooked chicken with the sauce for up to 3 days. Not suitable to freeze. LEFTOVERS: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on stovetop over low heat, adding water if sauce thickens, or in microwave in short bursts stirring in between. Cream-based sauces may separate when reheated; whisk in a splash of cream or milk to improve texture.
With a passion for wholesome cooking inspired by family traditions, I create healthy, simple recipes focused on sourdough, shrimp, chicken, and balanced meals for everyday wellness.
Every recipe here is tested in my kitchen using U.S. measurements and easy-to-find ingredients, so you can cook confidently.
Thank you for joining this cozy community where nutritious and delicious meals come together.
