The Creamiest Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe You’ll Ever Taste

Nestled in the heart of comfort food, this creamy garlic butter chicken recipe promises a culinary adventure that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Home cooks adore simple yet spectacular dishes that feel like a warm embrace.

Fragrant garlic and rich butter create a magical coating that elevates ordinary chicken into something extraordinary.

Tender meat swimming in a velvety sauce becomes the star of your dinner table.

Each bite whispers stories of home-cooked goodness and careful seasoning.

Minimal ingredients and straightforward techniques mean you can craft this delightful meal without stress.

Trust me, one forkful and you’ll be planning when to make this again.

Tasty Add-Ons To Switch It Up

• Dairy-Free Delight: Replace heavy cream with coconut milk and use nutritional yeast instead of parmesan for a creamy, lactose-free version.
• Low-Carb Lean Option: Substitute chicken breasts with skinless turkey cutlets and serve over cauliflower rice to reduce carbohydrate intake.
• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Add oregano, rosemary, and swap red pepper flakes with smoked paprika for a Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile.
• Spicy Cajun Kick: Incorporate Cajun seasoning blend, swap thyme with cayenne pepper, and add diced bell peppers for a zesty, Southern-style chicken preparation.

Pairing Suggestions For Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken

• Savory Wine Selection: Pair with a crisp Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio to complement the creamy garlic sauce's richness and cut through the butter's intensity.
• Herbaceous Side Companion: Serve alongside roasted asparagus or garlic-infused green beans to enhance the dish's herbal notes and provide a fresh vegetable contrast.
• Starch Perfect Match: Prepare creamy mashed potatoes or buttery rice pilaf to soak up the luxurious garlic cream sauce and create a complete, satisfying meal.
• Bright Citrus Accent: Add a small mixed green salad with lemon vinaigrette to mirror the dish's citrusy undertones and provide a light, refreshing counterpoint to the rich chicken.

How To Store Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken

• Transfer cooled chicken to an airtight container, seal tightly, and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep sauce separately in another sealed container to maintain optimal texture.
• Wrap individual chicken pieces in plastic wrap, place in freezer-safe bags, remove excess air, and freeze for up to 2 months. Separate sauce into a freezer-safe container for best quality.
• Place chicken on a microwave-safe plate, add a splash of chicken broth to prevent drying, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals until warmed through to 165°F. Stir sauce separately and drizzle over chicken.

FAQs On Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken

• Why pat the chicken dry before seasoning?

Patting chicken dry removes excess moisture, allowing seasonings to stick better and promoting a crispy, golden-brown exterior when searing.

• What's the purpose of using high heat when searing chicken?

High heat creates a beautiful golden crust, seals in juices, and develops deep flavor through the Maillard reaction, resulting in more delicious chicken.

• How do I know if the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F, ensuring the chicken is safe to eat and remains juicy.

• Why add lemon juice to the cream sauce?

Lemon juice cuts through the richness of the cream and butter, adding brightness and balancing the overall flavor profile of the dish.

Why Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken Is So Rich And Delicious

• Conquer Quick Cooking: A hassle-free chicken recipe perfect for busy home cooks who want restaurant-quality meals without complicated techniques.
• Master One-Pan Magic: Prepare an entire delicious meal using just a single skillet, minimizing cleanup and maximizing flavor with minimal kitchen tools.
• Customize with Confidence: Easily adapt the recipe by adjusting spice levels, swapping herbs, or incorporating different proteins to match personal taste preferences and dietary needs.
• Impress Without Stress: Create a gourmet-style dish that looks sophisticated but requires basic cooking skills, making it ideal for novice cooks wanting to elevate their culinary repertoire.

What Goes Into Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken

• Chicken Pieces: Tender meat that serves as the main star of the dish, providing a delicious and satisfying base for the creamy garlic sauce.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential flavor enhancers that bring out the natural taste of the chicken.
• Dried Thyme, Red Pepper Flakes: Aromatic herbs and spices that add depth and subtle heat to the dish.

• Olive Oil: Provides a medium for searing chicken and creating a flavorful foundation for the dish.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a smooth, velvety sauce.
• Garlic: Brings intense, aromatic flavor that complements the chicken perfectly.
• Chicken Broth: Adds depth and moisture to the sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Creates a luxurious, creamy texture for the sauce.
• Lemon Juice: Provides brightness and balances the richness of the sauce.

• Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, nutty flavor and creates a beautiful finish to the dish.
• Fresh Parsley: Provides a pop of color and fresh, herbaceous note to the final presentation.

How To Make Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken Quickly

Step 1: Prepare Chicken for Sizzling

Pat the chicken pieces completely dry using paper towels. This crucial step ensures the seasoning sticks perfectly and helps create that amazing golden-brown exterior we all love.

Step 2: Create Flavor Explosion

• Salt
• Black pepper
• Dried thyme
• Red pepper flakes

Make sure every single piece gets an even, delicious covering of spices.

Step 3: Heat Up the Skillet

Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Watch for that perfect shimmer that signals it’s ready to transform your chicken into a crispy masterpiece.

Step 4: Sear to Perfection

Gently place seasoned chicken into the hot skillet. Let each piece sizzle undisturbed for 5-6 minutes until a gorgeous golden-brown crust forms underneath.

Step 5: Flip and Cook

Turn chicken pieces over and cook the other side for 4-5 minutes. Ensure the internal temperature hits 165°F for safe and delicious eating.

Step 6: Rest the Chicken

Transfer chicken to a warm plate, keeping all those precious juices locked in.

Step 7: Create Magical Sauce Base

Lower skillet heat to medium-low. Drop butter into the pan and let it melt smoothly.

Step 8: Infuse with Garlic Goodness

Finely chop garlic and add to melted butter. Stir constantly to prevent burning and release those mouth-watering aromas.

Step 9: Build Creamy Sauce

• Chicken broth
• Heavy cream

Whisk continuously to create a silky, dreamy sauce that’ll make everyone’s taste buds dance.

Step 10: Simmer and Thicken

Let sauce bubble gently for 2-3 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent any burning and help it reach the perfect consistency.

Step 11: Add Bright Zesty Touch

Squeeze fresh lemon juice into the sauce for a burst of brightness that cuts through the richness.

Step 12: Reunite Chicken and Sauce

Return chicken to the skillet, coating each piece generously in the creamy garlic magic.

Step 13: Sprinkle Cheese Goodness

Shower freshly grated parmesan cheese over the chicken and sauce.

Step 14: Final Fresh Flourish

Scatter finely chopped fresh parsley on top for a pop of color and extra herbal zing.

Step 15: Serve and Enjoy

Bring to the table immediately while the sauce is piping hot and the chicken remains incredibly tender and juicy.

Helpful Tips For Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken

• Dry and Crisp Chicken: Pat chicken pieces completely dry to help seasoning stick and create a perfectly golden-brown exterior.
• Seasoning Secrets: Use a generous blend of salt, black pepper, thyme, and red pepper flakes to infuse deep, robust flavors into every chicken piece.
• Searing Technique: Heat olive oil until just before smoking and let chicken sear undisturbed for maximum caramelization and crispy texture.
• Temperature Precision: Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165°F, ensuring safety and maintaining juicy tenderness.
• Sauce Smoothness: Whisk chicken broth and cream continuously while simmering to create a silky, lump-free sauce that clings beautifully to the chicken.

Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe

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4.6 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Comfort meets elegance in this creamy garlic butter chicken, blending rich flavors with simple sophistication. Succulent chicken bathes in a luxurious sauce that promises pure culinary delight, inviting you to savor each remarkable bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 4 chicken breasts
• 1 lb chicken thighs

Main Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 6 cloves garlic
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup chicken broth

Seasonings and Herbs:

• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

Additional Components:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese

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Instructions

1. Pat chicken pieces dry with paper towels to ensure optimal seasoning adherence and even browning.
2. Season chicken thoroughly with salt, black pepper, dried thyme, and red pepper flakes, coating each piece completely.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering and just before smoking point.
4. Carefully place seasoned chicken into hot skillet, allowing each piece to sear undisturbed for 5-6 minutes until golden brown and crispy underneath.
5. Flip chicken and cook opposite side for additional 4-5 minutes, ensuring internal temperature reaches 165°F.
6. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside on a warm plate, keeping juices intact.
7. Reduce heat to medium-low and add butter to same skillet, allowing it to melt smoothly.
8. Mince garlic finely and add to melted butter, stirring constantly to prevent burning and release aromatic flavors.
9. Pour chicken broth and heavy cream into skillet, whisking continuously to create a silky, cohesive sauce.
10. Simmer sauce for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened, stirring periodically to prevent scorching.
11. Squeeze fresh lemon juice into sauce for brightness and balance.
12. Return chicken to skillet, coating each piece generously with creamy garlic sauce.
13. Sprinkle freshly grated parmesan cheese over chicken and sauce.
14. Garnish with finely chopped fresh parsley for color and additional herbaceous flavor.
15. Serve immediately while sauce is hot and chicken remains tender and juicy.

Notes

• Opt for boneless, skinless chicken breasts for quicker cooking and easier eating, ensuring even heat distribution and maximum flavor absorption.
• Patting chicken dry prevents excess moisture, creating a perfect golden-brown sear that locks in delicious juices and develops a crispy exterior.
• Control heat carefully during sauce-making to prevent butter from burning, which can create bitter flavors and ruin the delicate creamy texture.
• Gluten-free variation works perfectly by substituting regular flour or cornstarch for thickening the sauce if needed, making this dish adaptable for various dietary requirements.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 600
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 45 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 4 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 36 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg