Creamy Garlic Chicken (Low Carb!)

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This creamy garlic chicken recipe is so yummy, packed with flavors, and can be made in no-time! It begins with pan-seared chicken breasts that are tender and topped with a sauce that is creamy and filled with garlic. This is the perfect recipe for a weeknight meal!

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!)
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Why you’ll love it

Rich, Robust, Garlicky Flavor: This is not your typical chicken in a cream sauce dish. Eight or more whole cloves of garlic are used in this recipe, along with more garlic powder, to give the sauce a ton of mouthwatering garlic flavor.
Everyone like it: This meal is the ideal creamy dinner for the whole family because the garlic taste is strong but not overbearing.
Quick and Simple: With just one skillet and a few simple ingredients, this entire meal can be prepared in just 30 minutes. This is a simple midweek supper.
Made from Scratch: My creamy chicken dishes don't contain any "cream of whatever" soup! Using heavy cream, chicken, and all of the garlic I mentioned earlier, this homemade garlic chicken sauce is quite simple.

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: Use chicken breasts that are skinless and boneless. Remember to cut them in half so that the pieces are thinner! This guarantees rapid and uniform cooking.
Flour: You can use Einkorn wheat flour, ordinary all-purpose flour, or gluten-free flour. After being dredged in flour, the chicken is pan-fried. And that amount of flour thickens the sauce just so while it simmers.
Olive Oil and Butter: I use both butter and olive oil while I'm cooking chicken cutlets in a pan. This gives me the greatest flavor and prevents the mixture from burning as rapidly as butter alone. To create the creamy sauce, we'll also use a little more butter.
Garlic cloves: This sauce requires 8–10 whole cloves. Peel them; there's no need to crush or mince the garlic.
Chicken Broth: A cup of chicken stock—or broth, if you have any—forms the foundation of the sauce and contributes a savory taste. To manage the sauce's saltiness, I use low-sodium chicken broth.
Lemon juice: a small amount of acidity to maintain equilibrium.
Garlic powder: For another garlicky touch! It's a pantry essential.
Heavy cream: produces a creamy, delicious garlic sauce. Cream is necessary to make a creamy garlic chicken. For the greatest texture, I recommend using standard full-fat heavy whipping cream. In this recipe, heavy cream thickens better than low-fat cream or milk.
Sour Cream.
Salt and Pepper: An easy method for seasoning chicken before cooking.
Fresh Parsley: Add some herbs to finish it off; I prefer to use fresh parsley.

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

How to make creamy garlic chicken

Carefully cut each chicken breast into two thinner pieces with a sharp knife. Add salt and black pepper to each breast. Coat the chicken equally on all sides by pressing it into the flour.
Add 1 tablespoon of butter and olive oil to a large skillet that has been heated to medium heat. When the skillet is hot, add the chicken and cook for about 4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer the cooked chicken to a sanitized plate and keep it warm by covering it.
Melt the butter in the same skillet over medium heat, then add the garlic cloves. Cook, stirring periodically, until the garlic cloves are caramelized, about 4–5 minutes.

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

Then add the lemon juice, garlic powder, and chicken broth to the skillet. Scrape up any brown bits from the skillet's bottom and stir. For 8 to 10 minutes, or until the sauce has reduced and thickened by around 50%, let it simmer in the skillet. At this stage, taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.
Pour the sour cream and heavy cream into the skillet slowly while whisking or stirring to mix. Cook for one minute while stirring.

making sauce for creamy garlic chicken in a cast iron skillet

Lastly, ladle the creamy sauce over the cooked chicken breasts after they have been returned to the skillet. Give the chicken time to warm up. Enjoy and garnish with freshly chopped parsley, if desired.

Variations

Include vegetables: To give the dish more substance, feel free to include any vegetables you choose. Try spinach, mushrooms, zucchini, onion, pepper, and so forth.
Spice it up: Add some red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to boost the heat up a notch.

close-up of creamy chicken skillet with garlic cream sauce

Tips For Searing the Chicken

Throughout cooking, adjust the heat a little bit to achieve a lovely, even sear and golden hue.
We want the leftovers in the pot to be brown, not black. The sauce gets a lot of flavor from the "fond" that is left in the skillet.
Instead of cooking chicken at a very high temperature that can result in burning and oil spray, I would prefer to cook it at a little lower temperature for a longer amount of time. Reduce the heat a little as necessary after starting at medium-high. Later on, you can always raise it again.
The chicken is not ready to be relocated and is still getting a crispy coating if it is adhering to the pan. To prevent ripping the chicken's skin, let it release naturally.

Pro Tips

Heavy cream, whipped cream, or thickened cream can all be used in the sauce.
Use half and half or evaporated milk to lighten the sauce. Avoid bringing your sauce to a sudden boil when using half and half, as this could cause it to curdle.
When you add your cream, the sauce won't thicken right away. The flour from the chicken will thicken your sauce after you put the chicken breasts back in the pan. Cornstarch is not required.

What to serve with creamy garlic chicken

Try rice, pasta, fresh crusty bread, mashed potatoes, or a traditional potato gratin. Steamed greens, a fresh baby spinach or rocket (arugula) salad, or broccoli, cauliflower, or green beans are good vegetable sides.

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?

The prepared chicken and sauce can be frozen for up to three months in an airtight container and kept in the freezer. Before reheating, let it thaw overnight.

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?

Simply mix in a little water or chicken stock if your sauce gets too thick. Continue until the desired consistency is achieved.

Can you eat the garlic cloves?

You might wonder if the entire garlic cloves can be eaten with your chicken. The response is in the affirmative! Any overbearing, strong garlic flavor is eliminated by sautéing the garlic cloves in the butter and then boiling them in the sauce, leaving behind a very delicate, delectable flavor. Just before serving, I like to spoon the garlic and creamy sauce over the chicken.

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!