Looking for a fast flavorful dinner that’s filling and easy? Creamy garlic chicken fits the bill. This dish pairs juicy chicken with a thick garlicky sauce that’s ideal for any weeknight meal. Here’s a full guide on how to make this yummy recipe, with step-by-step instructions and useful tips to help you succeed.
Ingredients
Before you start cooking, gather all the items you need. Here’s what you’ll want for this creamy garlic chicken recipe:
- Chicken Breasts: 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons
- Garlic: 4 cloves, chopped fine
- Chicken Broth: 1 cup
- Heavy Cream: 1 cup
- Parmesan Cheese: 1/2 cup shredded
- Italian Seasoning: 1 teaspoon
- Salt: as needed
- Black Pepper: as needed
- Fresh Parsley: to garnish (if you like)
Instructions
1. Get the Chicken Ready
- Make the Chicken Flat: Put the chicken breasts between two plastic wrap sheets. Take a meat mallet or rolling pin and hit the chicken until it’s 1/2 inch thick. This helps cook the chicken and fast.
- Add Flavor to the Chicken: Put salt and black pepper on both sides of the chicken breasts. If you want, add a bit of Italian seasoning for more taste.
2. Cook the Chicken
- Warm the Oil: Get a big skillet and pour in the olive oil. Turn the heat to medium-high. Let the oil get hot, but don’t let it smoke.
- Cook the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in the skillet. Cook them for 5-7 minutes on each side, until they turn golden brown and cook . Check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Take the chicken out of the skillet and put it on a plate.
3. Make the Garlic Sauce
- Sauté the Garlic: Use the same skillet to add the minced garlic. Cook it for 1-2 minutes stirring often, until it smells good and looks golden. Take care not to burn the garlic.
- Add Chicken Broth: Pour the chicken broth in, scrape the skillet’s bottom to free any browned chicken bits. Let the mixture simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in the Cream: Turn the heat down to medium-low and add the heavy cream. Allow the sauce to simmer for 5 minutes, or until it begins to thicken.
- Add Parmesan Cheese: Add the grated Parmesan cheese to the sauce. Stir until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes smooth.
- Season the Sauce: Add Italian seasoning and adjust salt and pepper to your liking.
4. Put Chicken in Sauce
- Bring Back the Chicken: Set the cooked chicken breasts in the skillet again. Pour the creamy garlic sauce on the chicken.
- Cook Slowly: Let the chicken cook in the sauce for 5 minutes, until it’s hot and covered with the sauce.
5. Present the Dish
- Add Extras: If you want, add some chopped fresh parsley on top of the chicken to make it look nice and fresh.
- Set Out and Eat: Give out the creamy garlic chicken with pasta, rice, or next to steamed veggies. The sauce goes well with many side dishes, so you can use it in different meals.
Advice to Make It Great
Here is my attempt at rewriting the text:
- Pick Fresh Garlic: Fresh garlic gives the best taste. Skip garlic powder or pre-minced garlic, as they might not pack the same punch.
- Cook Chicken Just Right: Chicken gets dry when overcooked. Keep an eye on the cooking time and use a meat thermometer to get it spot on.
- Fix the Sauce: If the sauce gets too thick, pour in some more chicken broth or cream to make it how you like it.
Other Ways to Make It
- Mushroom Garlic Chicken with Cream: Toss in sliced mushrooms to the pan when you cook the garlic. This adds more taste and texture.
- Spinach Creamy Garlic Chicken: Add a handful of fresh spinach right before you serve to boost nutrition and add some color.
- Lemon Creamy Garlic Chicken: Squeeze some lemon juice into the sauce to create a tangy flavor that pairs well with the garlic.
Nutritional Information
Here’s a rough breakdown of the nutrients per serving, if you make 4 servings in total:
- Calories: 350
- Fat: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Protein: 35g
Storage and Reheating
- Refrigeration: Keep leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge to use within 3 days.
- Freezing: You can freeze this dish to last up to 2 months. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight before you heat it up.
- Reheating: Warm it up in the microwave or in a pot on low heat. If the sauce looks too thick, add a bit of cream or broth.
This recipe for creamy garlic chicken is easy and tasty, which makes it perfect for busy evenings. If you follow these steps and suggestions, you’ll end up with a delicious and filling meal that your family will love.