What the heck is this?
Okay, real talk — this Creamy Garlic Chicken is about to become your new obsession. We’re talking perfectly seared chicken breasts swimming in the most ridiculously creamy, garlicky sauce that’ll have you licking the pan (don’t judge, we’ve all been there). It’s fancy enough for date night but easy enough for a Tuesday when you’re feeling lazy but still want to eat like royalty. Plus, it’s all made in one skillet, so your cleanup game stays strong.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One pan, zero stress — everything happens in the same skillet
- Restaurant vibes at home — seriously, this looks like it costs $28 at a fancy place
- Garlic lovers, this is your moment — we’re not messing around with the garlic here
- Creamy without being heavy — rich but won’t put you in a food coma
- Ready in 30 minutes — faster than delivery and tastes way better
- Impressive AF — your dinner guests will think you went to culinary school
The Good Stuff You’ll Need
For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (pound them to even thickness — trust the process)
- Salt + black pepper (be generous)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
For the Sauce Magic:
- 6-8 garlic cloves, minced (yes, that much)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup white wine (or more broth if you’re wine-free)
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tsp fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried)
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- Salt + pepper to taste
For the Finish:
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Extra parm (obviously)
- Lemon wedges
Let’s Do This
Step 1: Prep That Chicken Pat chicken breasts dry and pound to even thickness (about 3/4 inch). Season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Let it sit for 10 minutes while you prep everything else.
Step 2: Sear Like a Pro Heat olive oil and 1 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When it’s sizzling, add chicken breasts. Don’t move them! Let them get that golden crust (about 5-6 minutes). Flip and cook another 4-5 minutes until cooked through. Remove and set aside.
Step 3: Garlic Heaven In the same skillet (don’t clean it — those brown bits are flavor gold), add remaining butter. Toss in minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Don’t let it burn!
Step 4: Sauce It Up Pour in wine and scrape up all those tasty bits. Let it bubble for a minute, then add chicken broth and cream. Bring to a gentle simmer and let it reduce for 3-4 minutes.
Step 5: Cheese Please Stir in parmesan, thyme, and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper. The sauce should coat a spoon nicely.
Step 6: Bring It Home Nestle the chicken back into the sauce. Spoon sauce over the top and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes to reheat the chicken and meld the flavors.
Step 7: Serve and Slay Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately with lemon wedges and extra parm on the side.
Serving Suggestions
Serve over creamy mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta to soak up every drop of that sauce. A simple side salad or roasted vegetables complete the meal perfectly. Pour yourself a glass of the same white wine you used in the sauce — you deserve it.
Switch It Up
Go Lighter: Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, or add a splash of Greek yogurt at the end.
Herb It Different: Try fresh rosemary or sage instead of thyme.
Add Some Heat: A pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce elevates everything.
Veggie Boost: Throw in some sautéed mushrooms or spinach during the last few minutes.
Make-Ahead Tips
You can prep the chicken seasoning and garlic ahead of time. The dish is best served fresh, but leftovers keep for 2-3 days in the fridge. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of cream or broth.
Questions People Actually Ask
Q: Can I use chicken thighs instead? A: Absolutely! They’ll be even juicier. Just adjust cooking time slightly.
Q: What if I don’t have wine? A: Use extra chicken broth or a splash of white wine vinegar for that acidic balance.
Q: Can I make this dairy-free? A: Try coconut cream and nutritional yeast, but honestly, it won’t be the same magical experience.
Q: My sauce is too thin — help! A: Let it simmer longer uncovered, or whisk in a slurry of cornstarch and cold broth.
Print
Creamy Garlic Chicken: The One-Pan Wonder That’ll Make You Look Like a Chef
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Okay, real talk — this Creamy Garlic Chicken is about to become your new obsession. We’re talking perfectly seared chicken breasts swimming in the most ridiculously creamy, garlicky sauce that’ll have you licking the pan (don’t judge, we’ve all been there). It’s fancy enough for date night but easy enough for a Tuesday when you’re feeling lazy but still want to eat like royalty. Plus, it’s all made in one skillet, so your cleanup game stays strong.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (pound them to even thickness — trust the process)
- Salt + black pepper (be generous)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
For the Sauce Magic:
- 6–8 garlic cloves, minced (yes, that much)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup white wine (or more broth if you’re wine-free)
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tsp fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried)
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- Salt + pepper to taste
For the Finish:
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Extra parm (obviously)
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
Step 1: Prep That Chicken Pat chicken breasts dry and pound to even thickness (about 3/4 inch). Season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Let it sit for 10 minutes while you prep everything else.
Step 2: Sear Like a Pro Heat olive oil and 1 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When it’s sizzling, add chicken breasts. Don’t move them! Let them get that golden crust (about 5-6 minutes). Flip and cook another 4-5 minutes until cooked through. Remove and set aside.
Step 3: Garlic Heaven In the same skillet (don’t clean it — those brown bits are flavor gold), add remaining butter. Toss in minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Don’t let it burn!
Step 4: Sauce It Up Pour in wine and scrape up all those tasty bits. Let it bubble for a minute, then add chicken broth and cream. Bring to a gentle simmer and let it reduce for 3-4 minutes.
Step 5: Cheese Please Stir in parmesan, thyme, and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper. The sauce should coat a spoon nicely.
Step 6: Bring It Home Nestle the chicken back into the sauce. Spoon sauce over the top and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes to reheat the chicken and meld the flavors.
Step 7: Serve and Slay Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately with lemon wedges and extra parm on the side.
Notes
Serve over creamy mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta to soak up every drop of that sauce. A simple side salad or roasted vegetables complete the meal perfectly. Pour yourself a glass of the same white wine you used in the sauce — you deserve it.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: ~485 kcal per serving
- Protein: ~42g