Description
A rich and flavorful Creamy Garlic Chicken recipe featuring tender, pan-seared chicken breasts cooked in a luscious garlic-infused creamy sauce. This quick and easy stovetop dish is perfect for a comforting weeknight meal that serves four.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (thin cut or pounded to about 1/4 to 1/2-inch thin)
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter (divided)
- 8 cloves garlic (thinly sliced)
- 1/2 cup chicken stock
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (minced, optional)
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Season both sides of the chicken breasts evenly with salt and pepper to enhance their flavor before cooking.
- Heat butter: In a large, deep skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter to prepare for cooking the chicken.
- Cook chicken first side: Add the chicken breasts to the skillet; cook without moving them for 4-6 minutes or until the bottom side is golden brown, adjusting time depending on thickness.
- Cook chicken second side: Flip the chicken breasts carefully and cook for another 4-6 minutes until fully cooked through and no longer pink inside.
- Rest chicken: Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and place on a plate; cover loosely with aluminum foil to keep warm.
- Cook garlic: Add the remaining tablespoon of butter to the skillet. Once melted, add the thinly sliced garlic, cooking for 30-60 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Simmer stock: Pour in the chicken stock and simmer, stirring occasionally, until reduced by half, about 2-3 minutes, concentrating flavor.
- Add cream: Slowly add the heavy cream to the skillet, stirring and simmering until the sauce thickens, about 3-5 minutes.
- Combine chicken and sauce: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the pan, coating them thoroughly with the creamy garlic sauce to absorb flavors.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle freshly minced parsley over the dish if desired for a fresh finish and visual appeal. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For best results, pound chicken breasts to even thickness to ensure consistent cooking.
- You can substitute chicken stock with vegetable stock for a milder flavor.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, simmer the cream a bit longer or add a small dusting of cornstarch slurry to thicken quickly.
- Use fresh garlic rather than pre-minced for maximum flavor impact.
- This recipe pairs well with steamed vegetables, mashed potatoes, or rice.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
