This Creamy Garlic Chicken is a fast and easy recipe that I think looks impressive, yet requires very little effort and time in the kitchen! This recipe is made with very few simple ingredients making it the perfect weeknight family dinner to enjoy at the end of a long day. This delicious recipe has quickly become one of your favourites, being viewed over 27 million times across my social accounts! It is also my most made recipe.
The star of the show is the chicken; it is seasoned beautifully and then dusted with flour, creating a crust for the gloriously creamy, indulgent garlic sauce to cling to. Making this meal at home is much cheaper than the cost for ordering it out, yet it tastes incredible and feels fancy, all in under 20 minutes.
Can you make Creamy Garlic Chicken ahead of time?
Yes, Creamy Garlic Chicken can be made ahead of time. You can refrigerate the cooked chicken with the sauce (to stop the chicken drying out) for up to 3 days. It’s not suitable to freeze.
Can I use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of chicken breast for Creamy Garlic Chicken?
Yes, boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be substituted for the chicken breast in this Creamy Garlic Chicken recipe. Cooking the chicken thighs will take a little longer; cook for 6–8 minutes or until just cooked through and golden.
What is best to serve with Creamy Garlic Chicken?
Try mashed potatoes, a classic potato gratin, rice, pasta or fresh crusty bread. For veggie sides, try steamed greens, a fresh rocket (arugula) or baby spinach salad, steamed broccoli, cauliflower or green beans.
How do I cook the perfect chicken breast for Creamy Garlic Chicken?
These are my top tips for cooking chicken breast so that you can make the perfect Creamy Garlic Chicken!
The speed at which the chicken cooks depends on the thickness of the chicken. If in doubt, cook the chicken at a slightly lower temperature (medium–low) for a longer period of time (approximately 6–8 minutes). This will ensure a golden colour and even sear. Super high temperatures will cause the oil to splatter and the chicken to cook too quickly and blacken on the outside while still being undercooked on the inside.
If using smaller chicken breasts, use 3–4 instead of 2.
PrintCreamy Garlic Chicken
Perfectly cooked chicken in an easy, creamy garlic sauce. All on the table in less than 20 minutes!
- Total Time: 20 mins
- Yield: 4 1x
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in half horizontally to make 4 steaks
- 1 tsp salt flakes
- 1/4 tsp cracked black pepper
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/4 cup (35 g) plain (all-purpose flour)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
Sauce
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp freshly minced garlic
- 1/2 cup (125 ml) chicken stock
- 300 ml (10 fl oz) thick (double/heavy) cream
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 cup (50 g) grated parmesan
- Salt and cracked black pepper, to taste
To serve
- Mashed potatoes, steamed rice or pasta
- Steamed greens
- 1 tbsp finely chopped parsley
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- 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 that little bit easier. Refrigerate the cooked chicken with the sauce (to stop the chicken drying out) for up to 3 days. Not suitable to freeze.
LEFTOVERS
Creamy Garlic Chicken leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. Refrigerate the cooked chicken with the sauce (to stop the chicken drying out) for up to 3 days in an air-tight container. Not suitable to freeze.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Category: Main dish
- Method: pan
- Cuisine: American
Natalie says:
Made this tonight! Hubby said he would order that in a nice restaurant 😄 I used half the cream, a splash more water and added mushrooms. Super yummy!
christine says:
OMG! This was amazing! Will be making this over and over again.
Ash says:
Easy enough recipe. Took me about 30 minutes. The sauce gives pan sauce meets alfredo sauce with the parm added. Didn’t use as much cream(which is the only thing not measured in cups, might I add). May make again.
Jen Story says:
I just made this last night and I LOVE it. Because of what I had on hand I made a few changes. I subbed Coconut Milk for the heavy cream and thickened with a little bit of cornstarch, mixed my chicken boullion with some white wine instead of water and I completely forgot to add the cheese but will next time. It was AMAZING without the cheese too.
Karen says:
Fabulous sauce, wonderful flavours! Definitely a winner ❤️
Sheri says:
Absolutely delicious! So easy to prepare, everyone finished their plates. Will definitely become a regular in house.
Lisa says:
Absolutely delicious! This is outstanding! HIGHLY recommend.
Anna says:
5 STARS- I make this dish regularly and it gets better every time! Thank you for sharing such a great recipe that’s always a winner in our house.
Nat says:
So quick and tasted absolutely amazing! I love all your recipes for when I’m short on time and can’t think what to cook. 9 times out of 10 I will have all the ingredients so dinner is a breeze. With 3 kids and after school activities I love being able to find something to suit everyone and feed the hungry beasts between activities in a flash
Valarie says:
We LOVE this! What is the best way to reheat?
Claire says:
This was the absolute best meal I have ever made.
Nohemi says:
This dish was amazing!
Nohemi says:
Wow this dish was amazing!
Cynthia says:
Simple, quick, and full of flavor. Works well with either mashed potatoes or rice to soak up the luscious sauce.
Jessica says:
This was so tasty! Thank you for a keeper! Can’t wait to make it again!
Allison P says:
Start to finish with zero prep, this recipe and sides took me an hour and a half. I’m not a slow cook by any means, so I think saying it’s a 20 minute recipe is a bit of a stretch.
With that out of the way, the flavor is DELICIOUS. I want to put this sauce on everything. In the future I’ll definitely prep in advance so it’s not as time consuming. Can’t wait to make it again!!’
Cynthia Marsden says:
This was so delicious!!!! Your recipes are so simple and easy to follow, and so good. Love that you give suggestion of what to serve with it because I think that sometimes that adds to the mealtime load, figuring out the full meal.
Courtney says:
This is a favourite in our home and makes a regular appearance!
Chelsea Rutledge says:
That was such a delicious meal! My whole family, kids included, licked our plates clean. Very easy and extremely luxurious and yummy.
Victoria says:
This recipe was so easy and mouth-wateringly delicious. Will be a regular favourite in our house. I used half the amount of onion powder as I’m not super keen on it and it worked out perfectly. Was very flavourful and I look forward to trying more of your recipes!
Ashley Kelly says:
Soo good! Definitely a favorite!
Jo says:
This one is a 10/10 🙂
megmcdougall says:
Delicious! Simple and quick recipe that everyone enjoyed. Can’t wait to make it again!
raha.raissian says:
I’m a decent home cook with a few years on experience on my belt. This was the best chicken I’ve ever made! My boyfriend loved it and said he’d pay $35 for the dish at a restaurant haha. Thank youu
corrinaandrews says:
Doing a lap of Australia and your meals are some I live by for the simplicity of effort of your recipes.Thank you, i loved cooking this dish it was as delicious
Nicole says:
Thank you so much for the lovely comment, I am so glad you loved this recipe as much as we do! 🥰
melaniemrozek says:
This was delicious! Homemade comfort food. I could eat this on repeat. Thank you!
blodyn.turner says:
Delicious meal, served with all the roast trimmings and it went down a treat
rachel.j.willis says:
This recipe was not only delicious but also easy to make. My family enjoyed it and we will be making it again.
Nicole says:
I am so pleased to hear you enjoyed it Rachel! Thank you so much for taking the time to rate the recipe and write a comment x
jennifer.cox555 says:
winner winner chicken dinner! Everyone ate it, and the grown ups loved it. I served the sauce in a jug on the side as one of my kids is a “food separatist” but he still ate it all up. The sauce was so nice over mashed potatoes… yum!
Nicole says:
Yay! So fantastic to hear Jennifer! The “food separatist” at our place loved his sauce too! 😂 Thank you so much for taking the time to comment on the recipe and rate it. Just so lovely of you x