Creamy Garlic Chicken (Low Carb!)

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This Creamy garlic chicken is a delicious and easy recipe that is perfect for a weeknight dinner or special occasion. Tender chicken is simmered in a creamy sauce made fragrant with garlic, so it’s an easy, comforting — if indulgent — meal. It is fantastic with pasta, or with mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables. This is a quick and easy dish and sure to be a family pleaser!

Do you love creamy chicken recipes? Try my Dump and Bake Chicken Alfredo Casserole, this Weeknight Cream of Mushroom Chicken Skillet, or my Creamy Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta.

cast iron skillet with chicken breasts and a creamy garlic sauce with whole cloves of garlic

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Why you’ll love it
What you’ll need
How to make creamy garlic chicken
Variations
Tips For Searing the Chicken
Pro Tips
What to serve with creamy garlic chicken
Storing leftovers
FAQs
More Easy Chicken Recipes
Recipe
Creamy Garlic Chicken (Low Carb!)

Why you’ll love it

Rich & Creamy Flavor – A luscious, velvety sauce coats the chicken nicely with this garlic, butter, cream combo. Each bite is layered with such rich, umami flavors that this dish is pure indulgence.
30-Minute Recipe – A handful of simple ingredients and a simple cooking method, you will be feasting in 30 minutes. It’s ideal for busy weeknights when you crave something homemade and delicious, without wanting to spend hours in the kitchen.
Versatile & Filling – This creamy garlic chicken recipe is perfect over pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or just with roasted veggies. Whether you want a wonk into your family in a comfortable dinner or this dish to impress your guests, this is the recipe to do it every time！

What you’ll need

This basic dish calls for only a few ingredients. Here are the major items you'll need:

ingredients for creamy garlic chicken on a marble countertop

Chicken Breasts – The star protein of the dish, keeping it tender and juicy.
Salt & Pepper — Season Everything, brings out the flavor of the chicken & balances the creamy sauce.
Flour — Contributes to a light crust on the chicken, plus thickens the sauce a little.
Olive Oil – Olive oil is the fat used to sear the chicken for that slight crispiness and richness.
Butter — Adds richness and depth, and helps sauté the garlic.
Garlic — The main ingredient that gives the sauce its deep, savory flavor.
Chicken Broth – The base of the sauce, adds umami and prevents heaviness.
Heavy Cream – Provides the rich, velvety texture that makes the dish dairy-forward.
Parmesan Cheese — Adds a nutty, salty richness to the sauce and thickens it.
Italian Seasoning – A blend of herbs for extra flavor complexity.
Paprika (optional) — Adds warmth and a slightly smoky note.
Fresh Parsley – Colorful and fresh garnish to add balance.

creamy garlic chicken on a plate with mashed potatoes and green beans

How to make creamy garlic chicken

Prep the Chicken – Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, dredge the chicken lightly in flour to form a golden crust.
Sear the Chicken – Add olive oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add in the chicken cook for 4-5 per side until golden. Remove from pan and set aside.
Make the Garlic Butter Base – Return to the same pan, reduce to medium heat + add butter. Once melted, fry the minced garlic until fragrant (about 30 seconds).

pan frying chicken in a cast iron skillet and then frying garlic cloves

Build the Sauce – Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any brown bits from the pan. Add heavy cream, parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning and stir. It should simmer for a couple of minutes until the sauce thickens a little.
Bring It All Together – Add the seared chicken back to the skillet and ladle the sauce over it. Simmer for 5 to 7 additional minutes, until chicken is cooked through and flavored.

making sauce for creamy garlic chicken in a cast iron skillet

Garnish & Serve – Top with freshly chopped parsley and serve warm with pasta, rice or veggies.

Variations

Mushroom Garlic Chicken – After sautéing the garlic, add sliced mushrooms to the pan. Cook them until they’re tender, then add broth and cream for an earthy, umami-rich twist.
Spinach & Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken — Mix in a handful of fresh spinach and chopped sun-dried tomatoes into the sauce before adding the chicken back to the pan. It adds a pop of color and a sweet-tangy contrast.
Spicy Cajun Garlic Chicken — Substitute Cajun seasoning for the Italian seasoning, and stir in a pinch of red pepper flakes for a spicy, smoky kick. Great for those that appreciate bold flavors!

close-up of creamy chicken skillet with garlic cream sauce

Tips For Searing the Chicken

Pat the Chicken Dry — Use a paper towel to remove residual moisture, which can help you attain a golden-brown, crispy crust.
Hot Pan – Make sure to heat your skillet over medium-high before adding oil for a proper searing.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan — Cook in batches if necessary, leaving space between the pieces for even browning.
Let It Cook Undisturbed - Resist the urge to flip too early; allow both sides to develop a crust for around 4 to 5 minutes (until golden brown).

Pro Tips

Deglaze for Ultimate Flavor – Searing the chicken develops deep flavor in the pan; scrape up (deglaze) the browned bits (fond) with chicken broth. This imparts incredible depth of flavor to your sauce.
Balance the Sauce — If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of broth; if it’s too thin, let it cook a little longer, or stir in more parmesan for a bit more natural thickening.
Rest the Chicken — To make sure that the chicken holds in juices when you serve, let it rest for a couple of minutes.

What to serve with creamy garlic chicken

Creamy garlic chicken goes great with buttery mashed potatoes, fluffy rice or al dente pasta to soak up the rich sauce. Or for a lighter option, serve it with roasted or steamed vegetables - asparagus, broccoli or green beans. A crisp side salad topped with a tangy vinaigrette will cut through the richness, and warm crusty bread is perfect for dipping. Need something more über-indulgent? Try it over garlic butter noodles for a double whammy of flavor!

Storing leftovers

Store: Any leftovers should be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days in an airtight container.
Reheat: Put the remaining ingredients in a skillet and heat them through over low to medium cook. Depending on how much sauce you have, you might need to add a little water.
Freeze: You may keep leftovers in the freezer for up to six months if you put them in an airtight container. When reheating or thawing, the sauce may crack; I add a little extra water to help it come back together.

FAQs

Can I Freeze This Garlic Chicken Recipe?

Allow the chicken and sauce to cool completely, then transfer to an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.

How Do I Make Chicken Cutlets?

Although you may get pre-sliced cutlets from the shop, slicing your own is more economical. Using the palm of your hand, hold a chicken breast in place on a chopping board. Cut through the breast parallel to the cutting board with a sharp knife. You can cut the chicken breast into two or three pieces, depending on how thick it is. If necessary, pound each piece to uniform thickness using a meat mallet.

How Can I Thin Out The Sauce?

If you need to loosen the sauce, stir in a dash of chicken broth, milk or cream as you reheat it gently, over low heat. Then slowly pour in the whisked liquid, stirring all the while to keep it smooth.

Can you eat the garlic cloves?

Yes! Meanwhile, the garlic cloves in creamy garlic chicken turn soft and mellow and sweeter as they cook — totally edible and delicious. If you want more garlic flavor, you can also mash them into the sauce for an even richer garlic taste!

If you tried this Creamy Garlic Chicken or any other recipe on my website, please feel free to leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. And remember to tag me on Instagram!