Name: Creamy Garlic Chicken Skillet Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.3 lbs. total); 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper; 1/4 cup all-purpose flour; 2 Tbsp olive oil; 2 Tbsp butter, divided; 1 whole garlic bulb (about 8-9 garlic cloves); 1 cup chicken broth; 3/4 cup heavy cream; 1/2 tsp garlic powder; Salt and pepper to taste

There’s something incredibly comforting about tender chicken swimming in a luscious, garlicky sauce, and that’s exactly what you get with this Creamy Garlic Chicken Skillet Recipe. It’s a dish that feels fancy but comes together in one pan—perfect for those weeknight dinners when you want impressive flavor without fuss.

A white pan holds four browned chicken pieces covered in light creamy sauce with small white garlic cloves and sprinkled green herbs on top and around them. The sauce is smooth and light beige, filling the pan almost to the edge, with some texture showing from cooking. The chicken pieces are placed slightly apart, each with browned, slightly crispy edges. The background is a white marbled surface with a striped cloth partially visible at the bottom right corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Garlic Chicken Skillet Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Creamy Garlic Chicken Skillet Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Creamy Garlic Chicken Skillet Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, this skillet meal quickly became one of my go-tos the moment I tried it. The creamy, garlicky sauce is indulgent but not heavy, and the chicken comes out perfectly juicy every time. Plus, it all cooks in one pan, which means less cleanup—a win in my book.

Simple ingredients: You likely have most of these in your pantry already, making it easy to whip up anytime.
Quick cooking time: You can get dinner on the table in about 40 minutes, perfect for busy evenings.
Rich, flavorful sauce: The garlicky cream sauce pairs beautifully with chicken for a satisfying meal.
Flexible and forgiving: Easy to customize with your favorite herbs or add-ins to make it your own.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Creamy Garlic Chicken Skillet Recipe shines because its ingredients balance each other perfectly. The chicken breasts provide lean protein that soaks up the sauce, while garlic brings bright, aromatic depth. Cream thickens the sauce beautifully, and chicken broth adds subtle savoriness without overpowering.

Flat lay of two fresh boneless, skinless chicken breasts, a whole garlic bulb with cloves visible, a few sprigs of fresh parsley, a small pile of all-purpose flour on white ceramic plate, a small white ceramic bowl of olive oil, a small white ceramic bowl of butter cubes, a small white ceramic bowl filled with chicken broth, a small white ceramic bowl of heavy cream, a small white ceramic bowl with coarse Italian seasoning, a small white ceramic bowl with cracked black pepper, all arranged symmetrically and naturally, 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

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Thinner cutlets cook evenly and fast—great for a quick skillet dish.
Italian seasoning: Adds a lovely Mediterranean herbal note that complements garlic well.
All-purpose flour: Helps create a light crust on chicken and thickens the sauce.
Olive oil and butter: Together they give a rich base for cooking chicken and garlic.
Whole garlic bulb: Smashing the cloves releases mellow, sweet garlic flavor without harshness.
Chicken broth: Keeps the sauce savory without overpowering the creaminess.
Heavy cream: Makes the sauce luxuriously creamy and velvety.
Garlic powder, salt, and pepper: Enhance flavor layers and balance seasoning.

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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 my favorite things about this Creamy Garlic Chicken Skillet Recipe is how adaptable it is. Depending on what’s in season or what you’ve got in the fridge, you can tweak it easily to suit your taste or dietary needs. I often play around with the herbs or swap chicken breasts for thighs when I want a juicier bite.

Variation: I sometimes add a handful of spinach or mushrooms right before serving to sneak in some veggies—super tasty and colorful!
Dairy-free option: Try coconut cream instead of heavy cream for a creamy texture without dairy.
Spicy twist: A pinch of red pepper flakes in the sauce gives it a nice warming kick.
Protein swap: Boneless skinless chicken thighs work beautifully if you prefer more flavor and juiciness.

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

A white plate sits on a white marbled surface holding a single piece of cooked chicken with a golden-brown crust, topped with a light beige creamy sauce and small garlic cloves garnished with green herbs. To the left of the chicken is a portion of Caesar salad with light green romaine lettuce leaves mixed with large pieces of toasted brownish croutons and creamy white dressing. In the background, a few green parsley leaves peek into the frame. Near the plate, a striped black and white cloth and a metal fork are partly visible. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prepping the chicken

First things first, take your chicken breasts and carefully slice them in half horizontally if they’re thick—this helps them cook evenly and stay juicy. Season each piece with Italian seasoning, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. Then sprinkle flour on both sides and rub it in gently; this creates a nice crust and helps thicken our sauce later on.

Step 2: Searing for golden perfection

Heat a large skillet over medium with olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter. Once it’s hot and shimmering, add the chicken. Cook for about 4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through—you want that beautiful crust but juicy inside. Transfer the chicken to a plate and cover it so it stays warm while you make the sauce.

Step 3: Garlic magic in the pan

Peel your garlic cloves and then gently smash them with the side of a knife—I love this step because it releases the garlic’s natural sweetness without overpowering the dish. Add the remaining butter to the skillet, then toss in the smashed garlic. Turn the heat down to medium-low and sauté for about 3 minutes, stirring often to prevent burning. The aroma here is a total game-changer.

Step 4: Creating the creamy sauce

Now pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, then sprinkle the garlic powder in. Stir everything well, scraping up all those lovely browned bits from the bottom of the pan—those add fantastic depth. Let it simmer gently for 8 to 10 minutes until the sauce thickens by about half. Taste and tweak with salt and pepper as needed.

Step 5: Bringing it all together

Finally, return your chicken breasts to the skillet and spoon that dreamy sauce over the top. Let them heat through for a couple minutes so all those flavors meld beautifully. At this point, I like to sprinkle on some fresh chopped parsley for a pop of color and a little herbal brightness.

Top Tip

From my experience making this Creamy Garlic Chicken Skillet Recipe, those little details make all the difference. Here are some tips that consistently help me nail it every time:

Don’t crowd the pan: Cook chicken in batches if needed to avoid steaming—it ensures a gorgeous golden crust.
Smash garlic gently: Crushing rather than mincing garlic cloves keeps them whole, preventing bitterness and adding mild sweetness.
Simmer sauce slowly: A gentle simmer gives the sauce time to thicken and intensify in flavor without scorching.
Adjust seasoning last: Taste your sauce after reducing—sometimes the broth adds enough salt, so go easy on extras until the end.

How to Serve Creamy Garlic Chicken Skillet Recipe

Creamy Garlic Chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I personally love finishing this dish with freshly chopped parsley—it adds a fresh, vibrant note that cuts through the richness. Sometimes I sprinkle a bit of grated Parmesan for an extra cheesy touch, which my family totally adores.

Side Dishes

This creamy garlic chicken pairs wonderfully with simple sides like buttery mashed potatoes, steamed green beans, or even a crisp Caesar salad. For a low-carb twist, I often serve it with cauliflower rice to soak up the sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

For special dinners, I’ve served this skillet chicken over a bed of homemade garlic herb polenta or alongside roasted asparagus spears for a pretty plate. A sprinkle of toasted pine nuts adds a nice crunch, and a drizzle of lemon juice brightens everything just right.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover creamy garlic chicken keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I usually store the chicken and sauce together so the meat stays moist and flavorful.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this dish a couple of times with good results. Just make sure to cool it completely before freezing in a sealed container. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, I recommend warming the chicken and sauce gently over low heat on the stove, stirring occasionally. This helps the sauce stay creamy and prevents the chicken from drying out—microwaving can sometimes toughen the meat.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts in this recipe?

Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are a great substitute that stay juicy and add rich flavor. Just adjust cooking time slightly, as thighs can take a bit longer to cook through.

What can I do if I don’t have a whole garlic bulb?

No worries—you can use pre-minced garlic. I usually recommend about 2 and a half tablespoons to match the flavor intensity of the smashed garlic cloves.

How thick should the sauce be?

You want the sauce to reduce by about 50%, becoming thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. If it’s too thin, keep simmering gently—if too thick, add a splash more broth.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Definitely! Swap out heavy cream for coconut milk or coconut cream, and use olive oil instead of butter. The sauce will still be creamy but with a subtle different flavor profile.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Garlic Chicken Skillet Recipe has earned a special spot in my recipe rotation thanks to its incredible flavor and effortless prep. Cooking something that tastes this comforting feels rewarding, and I’m confident it’ll become one of your favorites too. So go ahead, give it a try and enjoy every creamy, garlicky bite like I do every time.