Easy Creamy Garlic Chicken Breast Recipe

Easy creamy garlic chicken breast recipe features seared chicken breasts in a rich, silky garlic-infused cream sauce. It’s simple, yes, but loaded with flavor—a true crowd-pleaser for sure!

Jump to:

• Ingredients You’ll need
• Substitutions
• What else can I add?
• Instructions Step By Step:
• What to serve with Creamy Garlic Chicken?
• Extra Sauce
• Leftovers
• Tips
• Recipe
• Comments

What I love most about this recipe is how easy it is to prepare, yet it doesn’t compromise on taste. With just a handful of pantry-friendly ingredients and one skillet, you’ll have a restaurant-quality dish ready in under 30 minutes.

The combination of rich cream, garlic, and some aromatic herbs create a dish that’s both comforting and elegant—perfect for a cozy family meal or even a special occasion.

Ingredients You’ll need

Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts. I kept them whole to retain their juiciness. You can slice them if you prefer for quicker cooking or easier serving.

Salt and Pepper: Essential seasoning. Use generously before cooking, and adjust in the sauce to taste.

Olive Oil and Butter: A combination of olive oil and butter adds flavor and helps prevent the butter from burning.

Shallots: These beauties not only add a mild, sweet onion flavor but also bring a lovely purple color that stands out in the dish. Peel them whole to retain their color and texture.

Garlic: fresh garlic adds an incredible flavor to the sauce.

Rosemary: A ½ sprig adds earthy and piney notes. Fresh rosemary works best, but dried can substitute in smaller amounts.

Parsley: Minced parsley brightens the dish and enhances its visual appeal. Use some for garnish too.

Chicken Broth: Adds savory depth. Low-sodium is recommended for better control of salt.

Heavy Cream: The star of the sauce, creating a silky, rich texture. 

Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice helps balancing the rich sauce and brightens the dish, adding a refreshing touch.

Substitutions

Chicken Breast: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are a juicier option and work well in this dish. 

Fresh Aromatics and Herbs: Fresh ingredients are ideal for the creamy garlic sauce, but substitutions can still deliver a flavorful dish when fresh isn't available.

• Shallots and Garlic: If shallots aren't available, substitute with finely minced red or yellow onion or use a pinch of onion powder. For garlic, replace with ½ teaspoon of garlic powder. Add the onion and garlic powder while simmering the sauce to blend the flavors.
• Fresh Rosemary: Use dried rosemary, or try thyme for a similar herbal note.
• Fresh Parsley: Use dried parsley, but add it early in cooking to allow the flavor to bloom.

What else can I add?

This deliciously creamy sauce goes well with a variety of flavors and textures. Try mixing in spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, or sautéed mushrooms for added veggies.

If you're looking to elevate this dish, sprinkle some grated Parmesan on top to make it even more indulgent.

A small pinch of nutmeg can add a warm, subtle depth that complements the rich taste.

To brighten up the dish, add a touch of lemon zest or a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick.

Instructions Step By Step:

1. Prep the ingredients: peel the shallots, peel and mince the garlic, and mince the parsley.

2. Season the chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels, removing any extra moisture. Season them with ⅓ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper on both sides.

3. Sear the chicken: Heat 2 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet. Once hot, add the chicken breasts and sear until golden brown on both sides about 4-5 minutes each side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.

4. Saute the shallots and rosemary: In the same pan, add 2 tablespoon of butter. Once melted, add the peeled shallots and rosemary sprig. Sauté for a minute or until fragrant.

5. Add garlic: Add the minced garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until aromatic.

6. Make the sauce: Pour in the chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the skillet to release any flavorful bits. Stir in the heavy cream, and bring the mixture to a simmer. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

7. Simmer the chicken in the sauce: Add the chicken back to the skillet, gently nestling the breasts into the sauce. Allow the chicken to simmer in the sauce for a couple of minutes, letting the flavors meld together.

8. Finish the dish: Stir in the minced parsley and lemon juice, taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.

9. Serve: Slice the chicken if desired, and serve with the creamy garlic sauce poured over the top. Enjoy!

What to serve with Creamy Garlic Chicken?

• Over Pasta or Rice: Pour the creamy garlic sauce over pasta like fettuccine or penne, or spoon it over fluffy white rice to soak up all the flavor.
• With Crusty Bread: Serve alongside crusty bread or garlic bread for dipping into the rich, velvety sauce.
• With Vegetables: Pair with roasted or steamed veggies like broccoli, green beans, or asparagus for a complete meal. 
• Potatoes: Mashed, roasted, or steamed—this dish complements them all perfectly.

Extra Sauce

I love making extra sauce because it goes so well with many dishes. I store the extra sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days. It’s perfect for using later with sheared chicken, pasta, or even vegetables. When reheating, I add a bit of chicken broth to restore the smooth texture.

Leftovers

For the leftover garlic chicken, I portion it into smaller containers to make reheating easier. The chicken keeps well in the fridge for 3–4 days. When I’m ready to eat, I gently reheat it on the stovetop and add a splash of chicken broth to keep the sauce smooth.

Tips

• While sautéing minced garlic in butter, keep an eye on it to ensure it doesn't burn.
• The sauce should be cooked over low heat to avoid splitting.

You may like these:

• Easy Black Pepper Chicken
• Spicy Sweet Honey Sriracha Chicken
• Chinese Salt and Pepper Chicken Recipe
• Chicken Adobo with Potatoes

If you try the recipe, please take a moment to leave a comment and rating. I love hearing from you and it also helps other readers who are thinking of making the recipe.

Recipe