Description
This Creamy Garlic Chicken recipe features tender chicken breasts seared to perfection and then simmered in a rich, flavorful sauce made with garlic, chicken broth, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese, finished with fresh herbs. It’s a comforting and elegant dish perfect for a family dinner or special occasion, ready in just 35 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs or 1 tablespoon fresh mixed herbs (such as thyme, parsley, oregano)
Garnish
- Fresh chopped parsley or basil, for garnish
Instructions
- Season and Sear Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken breasts and sear for about 5-6 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Make Sauce: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add the butter. Once melted, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer, scraping any browned bits off the bottom of the pan for extra flavor. Allow the broth to reduce slightly for 3-4 minutes.
- Add Cream and Parmesan: Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens slightly. Add the dried or fresh herbs and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Simmer Chicken in Sauce: Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet with the sauce, spooning some sauce over the top. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and chicken to heat through.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat, garnish with fresh chopped parsley or basil, and serve the creamy garlic chicken hot with your choice of side dishes like mashed potatoes, rice, or steamed vegetables.
Notes
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken breasts in a little garlic and herbs before cooking.
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, but it may be less rich and creamy.
- Be careful not to burn the garlic as it can become bitter.
- Parmesan cheese adds depth and richness; do not skip or substitute with processed cheese.
- This dish pairs well with pasta, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
