Creamy Garlic Chicken Skillet Recipe

ByLucy
Jump to Recipe· 4.7 from 19 reviews

If you’re looking for a cozy, comforting dinner that feels a little fancy but comes together super easily, you’re going to love this Creamy Garlic Chicken Skillet Recipe. It’s one of those dishes I keep going back to when I want something rich, garlicky, and just downright satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen. Plus, the creamy sauce? Absolute magic poured over perfectly golden chicken — trust me, you’ll want to make this again and again.

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Why This Recipe Works

  • Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: Each element packs a punch, from garlicky goodness to the tender, juicy chicken.
  • One-Pan Wonder: You cook everything in a single skillet, making cleanup a breeze.
  • Perfectly Balanced Sauce: Cream, butter, and garlic combine to create a luscious sauce that clings to every bite.
  • Customizable and Crowd-Pleasing: You can tweak the garlic level, add herbs, or serve it with your favorite sides to suit any occasion.
Creamy Garlic Chicken Skillet, Creamy Garlic Chicken, Easy Garlic Chicken Dinner, One-Pan Chicken Recipes, Comforting Chicken Skillet - A black cast iron pan filled with four browned chicken pieces in a thick creamy beige sauce, scattered with whole cooked garlic cloves and finely chopped green herbs. The chicken pieces have a crispy golden-brown texture with slight charring on the edges, and the sauce pools around them with a smooth, velvety look. The pan is set on a white marbled surface, and there is a black and white striped cloth wrapped around the handle of the pan. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 this …

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Creamy Garlic Chicken Skillet Recipe has a purpose, blending together for a dish that’s simple yet soul-warming. Using basic pantry staples means you probably have most of these on hand, and each adds layers of flavor that elevate the chicken beautifully.

Creamy Garlic Chicken Skillet, Creamy Garlic Chicken, Easy Garlic Chicken Dinner, One-Pan Chicken Recipes, Comforting Chicken Skillet - Flat lay of two large boneless skinless chicken breasts, a small mound of white flour on a simple white ceramic plate, a small white bowl of golden olive oil, a few pats of pale yellow butter on a white dish, a whole head of garlic with cloves peeled and scattered naturally, a small white bowl filled with clear light brown chicken broth, a small white bowl with pale yellow lemon juice, a small white bowl of creamy white heavy whipping cream, a small pile of chopped fresh green parsley, salt and black pepper sprinkled artistically on the surface, all ingredients fresh and natural, perfectly balanced and symmetrical in arrangement, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997
  • Chicken breasts: I prefer large, boneless, skinless breasts to slice into perfect thin cutlets that cook evenly and soak up the sauce.
  • Salt & pepper: A good seasoning base that brings out the natural flavors of the chicken and garlic.
  • Flour: Helps create a subtle crust on the chicken and thickens the creamy sauce a bit.
  • Olive oil: Adds a fruity richness and helps the chicken brown without burning.
  • Butter: Divided between cooking the chicken and garlic, it deepens the flavor and gives the sauce its luscious quality.
  • Garlic cloves: The star of the show — whole cloves lightly browned to mellow the pungency and infuse the sauce.
  • Chicken broth: Adds savory depth and helps deglaze the pan after cooking the chicken.
  • Lemon juice: Brightens the sauce, balancing the richness of the cream and butter.
  • Garlic powder: Amplifies the garlic flavor without overpowering the dish.
  • Heavy cream: This makes the sauce decadently thick and silky; don’t skip it!
  • Fresh parsley (optional): For a burst of color and a fresh, herbal lift at the end.
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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the reasons I love this Creamy Garlic Chicken Skillet Recipe is how easy it is to adjust. It’s like a blank canvas for your favorite flavors — you can go garlicky, spicy, or herbaceous depending on your mood or pantry staples.

  • Variation: I sometimes swap out lemon juice for a splash of white wine to add a subtle fruitiness that pairs beautifully with the creaminess.
  • Make it dairy-free: Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream and olive oil in place of butter for a tasty twist.
  • Add veggies: Toss in spinach or mushrooms to the sauce once the cream is added — they soak up the flavors wonderfully.
  • Spicy kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic for a gentle heat that doesn’t overpower the dish.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Garlic Chicken Skillet Recipe

Step 1: Prep the Chicken Cutlets

I like to cut my large chicken breasts in half lengthwise so I get four thinner cutlets that cook evenly and faster. Don’t skip seasoning — sprinkle salt and pepper generously, then coat each piece lightly in flour. This not only gives a nice crust but helps thicken the sauce later on.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken to Golden Perfection

Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in your skillet over medium-high heat — it should shimmer but not smoke. Add the chicken, and let it cook undisturbed for about 4-5 minutes per side until beautifully golden brown. Resist the urge to move it around too much, or you won’t get that lovely crust. Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a plate but don’t clean the pan yet!

Step 3: Sauté Garlic to Lovely Aromatic Goodness

Lower the heat to medium, then add the remaining butter to the pan. When melted, toss in the peeled garlic cloves. Stir often, letting them brown gently for about 3-4 minutes. This step mellows their intensity and adds a rich, nutty flavor to the sauce — if your cloves are large, feel free to halve them so they cook evenly.

Step 4: Build the Sauce

Pour in the chicken broth, lemon juice, and sprinkle in the garlic powder. Let everything bubble gently for around 4 minutes so the sauce reduces and thickens a bit, scraping any flavorful bits off the bottom of the pan. This simmering step concentrates those garlicky, buttery flavors before the cream joins the party.

Step 5: Finish with Cream & Chicken

Stir in the heavy cream and nestle the chicken back into the skillet. Let it cook on medium-low for about 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to reduce further and coat the chicken in that dreamy garlicky goodness. Keep an eye on it and spoon sauce over the chicken as it simmers to keep everything moist and flavorful.

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Tips from My Kitchen

  • Don’t Rush the Sear: Getting a golden crust warms my heart; it’s not just for looks but flavor and texture too.
  • Even Garlic Cooking: Make sure the garlic cloves are roughly the same size so they brown evenly and don’t burn.
  • Sauce Consistency: If your sauce seems too thin, just let it simmer a bit longer to thicken up — patience pays off!
  • Keep It Moist: Spoon the sauce over the chicken while it cooks to keep every bite juicily coated.

How to Serve Creamy Garlic Chicken Skillet Recipe

Creamy Garlic Chicken Skillet, Creamy Garlic Chicken, Easy Garlic Chicken Dinner, One-Pan Chicken Recipes, Comforting Chicken Skillet - The image shows four browned chicken pieces in a black pan, each chicken piece covered with a creamy light beige sauce dotted with specks of black pepper and small green parsley pieces. The chicken pieces have a golden-brown, slightly crispy texture on top. Around and on the chicken pieces, there are several whole garlic cloves partially covered by the sauce. The sauce has a smooth, rich texture and pools around the chicken, creating a creamy base. The overall look is warm and inviting with the sauce contrasting the browned chicken skin. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I always finish mine with a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley — it adds a fresh pop of color and a slight herbal brightness that balances the richness. Sometimes I’ll add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice right before serving for an extra zing.

Side Dishes

This creamy skillet chicken pairs perfectly with simple sides like steamed green beans, garlic mashed potatoes, or even buttered egg noodles. I’ve also served it over fluffy rice to soak up every bit of that luscious sauce — can’t go wrong!

Creative Ways to Present

For a more elegant presentation, I’ve laid the chicken atop a bed of sautéed spinach, then drizzled the sauce over. Another favorite is serving it family-style right in the skillet, letting everyone help themselves — it feels warm and inviting, especially on chilly nights.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover creamy garlic chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The sauce thickens as it chills, so give it a gentle stir or add a splash of chicken broth when reheating to loosen it up.

Freezing

This recipe freezes surprisingly well! After cooling, I portion it into freezer-safe containers. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a bit of broth if needed to revive the sauce’s creaminess.

Reheating

I prefer reheating on the stove over low heat; this helps the sauce become silky again without breaking or drying out the chicken. Stir occasionally and add a splash of chicken broth or cream if the sauce looks too thick.

FAQs

  1. Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts in this Creamy Garlic Chicken Skillet Recipe?

    Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work great here—they tend to be juicier and more forgiving with cooking time. Just be sure to adjust your cooking time slightly since thighs may take a bit longer to cook through. The sauce will taste just as rich and delicious.

  2. What can I substitute if I don’t have heavy cream?

    If you don’t have heavy cream, you can use half-and-half or whole milk combined with a tablespoon of butter to mimic that richness. Keep in mind the sauce won’t be as thick or creamy, so reduce it a little longer to compensate. Coconut cream is a great dairy-free option too.

  3. How can I make the sauce thicker?

    If your sauce isn’t thick enough, just let it simmer a bit longer on low heat uncovered—this will reduce it naturally. Alternatively, you can mix a teaspoon of cornstarch with cold water and stir it into the sauce for an instant thickening boost.

  4. Is it better to use fresh or powdered garlic?

    This recipe uses both for different reasons: fresh garlic cloves provide that mellow, aromatic foundation when browned, while garlic powder adds a punch of concentrated garlic flavor throughout the creamy sauce. Using just one won’t give quite the same depth, but fresh garlic is key!

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Garlic Chicken Skillet Recipe has been one of my go-to dinners for busy weeknights and cozy weekends alike — it hits that perfect balance between comfort food and something special. I love how effortlessly it comes together and how everyone always asks for seconds. Give it a try, tweak it your way, and I promise it’ll become a staple in your kitchen too.

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Creamy Garlic Chicken Skillet Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.7 from 19 reviews
  • Author: Lucy
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Low Lactose
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Description

This creamy garlic chicken recipe features tender chicken cutlets cooked to golden perfection and smothered in a rich garlic cream sauce. Perfect for a comforting dinner, it combines sautéed garlic, chicken broth, and heavy cream for a luscious and flavorful meal.

Ingredients

Chicken

  • 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • Flour for dredging

Sauce

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter divided
  • 1 whole head garlic cloves peeled
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth or stock
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
  • Parsley chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken: Cut the chicken breasts in half lengthwise to create 4 smaller cutlets. Generously season each piece with salt and pepper, then coat them evenly with flour.
  2. Sauté the chicken: Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken cutlets and cook for 5 minutes per side or until golden brown. Remove from skillet and set aside.
  3. Cook the garlic: Lower the heat to medium (or medium-low for cast iron pans). Add the remaining tablespoon of butter to the skillet and let it melt. Add the peeled garlic cloves and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently until the garlic is lightly browned on the outside.
  4. Make the sauce base: Pour in the chicken broth, lemon juice, and garlic powder. Allow the mixture to bubble and reduce for about 4 minutes, until the liquid is noticeably reduced.
  5. Finish the sauce and chicken: Stir in the heavy cream, then return the chicken cutlets to the pan. Cook everything together for approximately 5 minutes until the sauce thickens and the chicken is fully cooked through. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired, then serve.

Notes

  • Use large boneless skinless chicken breasts to ensure good-sized cutlets when halved; if using smaller breasts, use 4 and keep them whole.
  • If garlic cloves are very large, cut them in half for even cooking.
  • For a richer flavor, consider using homemade chicken broth.
  • This recipe pairs well with rice, mashed potatoes, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
  • Can be found in the Salt & Lavender: Everyday Essentials cookbook.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 450 kcal
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 600 mg
  • Fat: 34 g
  • Saturated Fat: 18 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 6 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 30 g
  • Cholesterol: 140 mg

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