Enjoy a gourmet-tasting dish in under 30 minutes with this tender, juicy Creamy Garlic Chicken recipe. It’s perfect for sprucing up weeknights or showing off at special occasions, featuring flavorful chicken thighs lathered in a luscious homemade garlic-infused lemon parmesan sauce!
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Table of Contents
An entertaining-worthy recipe that’s ready in under 30 minutes?! Consider this your mid-week miracle! When I’m in the mood for chicken with an elevated twist (that doesn’t have me slaving away in this kitchen), this garlic chicken recipe is one of my go-tos. It is incredibly easy to make in one pan and has the best creamy, zesty flavor–without needing flour to thicken the sauce.
The magic starts with golden-seared chicken thighs cooked into a velvety butter garlic sauce infused with white wine, lemon zest, thyme, plenty of melty parmesan cheese, and a bit of creamy half-and-half. Allowing the flavors to melt together in one pan creates a rich, deeply satisfying main dish without any extra hassle. The perfectly juicy, tender chicken and drinkable sauce combine an indulgent restaurant quality with the comfort of a home-cooked dish.
I also love how versatile this creamy garlic chicken is! Serve it over pappardelle for a sophisticated presentation, mashed potatoes, or even rice, and pair it with your favorite sides. You’ll have a gourmet meal that comes together with minimal effort (I’m talking five minutes of prep time and 20 minutes of cooking!).
For more easy creamy chicken recipes, check out my Creamy White Chicken Tortilla Soup, Peanut Butter Chicken Curry, and Thai-Inspired Chopped Chicken Salad.
Why You’ll Love Creamy Garlic Chicken
- Quick & Easy. Ready in under 30 minutes, this is one of my favorite chicken dishes for gourmet flavor that requires minimal effort!
- One-Pan Recipe. Everything cooks together in one skillet for less cleanup and more flavor!
- Gourmet Flavor. The homemade creamy garlic sauce with bright lemon zest and rich parmesan creates an irresistible combination that tastes like a restaurant-quality chicken dish.
- Versatile. Serve this creamy garlic chicken recipe in various ways–over pasta, rice, or even mashed potatoes to suit your cravings.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs: Chicken thighs give this dish an indulgent juiciness and extra flavor. Or swap with boneless, skinless chicken breasts if preferred; just keep in mind chicken breasts will be less juicy and flavorful.
Olive Oil & Unsalted Butter: The combination of fats adds richness and helps create a golden sear on the chicken. Alternatively, use only olive oil or only butter as desired.
Onion: Yellow or white onion, sliced thin, adds an essential aroma that helps build the base of the dish for a deep, savory flavor.
Garlic: Minced fresh garlic cloves add a bold, aromatic depth to the sauce. Use fresh garlic bulbs for the most robust flavor or pre-minced storebought for convenience.
Dry White Wine: A dry white wine like Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, or Sauvignon Blanc helps deglaze the pan for a tasty flavor and adds a bright acidity to the sauce. Substitute with chicken broth if needed.
Lemon Zest & Juice: Fresh lemon juice and zest brighten the sauce and help balance the dish’s richness.
Spices: Ground black pepper and salt enhance the flavor of the juicy chicken.
Thyme: Fresh thyme adds a delicious herbaceous flavor that complements the garlic butter sauce and chicken. Or use dried thyme in a pinch; refer to the instructions for quantity differences.
Chicken Broth: Choose a low-sodium broth stock to add depth to the sauce and better control the dish’s salitness. Regular chicken broth also works, just reduce the salt to taste when seasoning the chicken.
Half & Half: Helps create a creamy sauce without feeling too heavy. Or substitute with heavy cream for a thicker, richer sauce.
Parmesan Cheese: Grated parmesan adds nuttiness and helps thicken the sauce slightly, adding a gooey texture. Freshly grated from the block is best! Or use pre-shredded store-bought parmesan.
Cooked Pasta, Mashed Potatoes, or Rice: Serve chicken and creamy garlic sauce over your favorite grain to soak up the delicious flavors.
How to Make Creamy Garlic Chicken
For the complete recipe and measurements, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1: Heat a deep 12” skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and butter to the skillet and melt until the butter starts to foam.
Step 2: Add the chicken thighs and onion to the skillet and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring and flipping the chicken halfway through, until the chicken is browned on the outsides and the onions turn translucent and fragrant.
Step 3: Add the garlic to the skillet and saute for 1-1.5 minutes or until fragrant.
Step 4: Pour splashes of the white wine into the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring to release any brown bits from the bottom of the pan or until most of the liquid has evaporated.
Step 5: Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, thyme, and chicken broth to the skillet. Bring to a simmer and then reduce to medium heat and simmer uncovered for 8-10 minutes, stirring every few minutes or until the sauce has thickened and the chicken thighs are cooked through.
Step 6: Reduce the heat to low. Stir the half and half and parmesan cheese into the chicken and heat until the cheese is melted, or about 1-2 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and serve the chicken hot over pasta, mashed potatoes, or rice!
Recipe Pro-Tips
- Deglaze the pan properly. The wine lifts all the flavorful browned bits that stick when cooking chicken recipes to make the sauce extra delicious. This is a key step for the best flavor!
- Avoid burning the garlic. When adding the minced garlic to the pan, it doesn’t need long! Cook until it becomes fragrant; cooking it too long can cause it to become bitter.
- Use freshly grated parmesan. Grating parmesan from the block melts better and gives this dish a richer flavor than pre-shredded cheese.
- Serve over a grain. Pair this creamy chicken over pasta, rice, or potatoes, or serve with crusty bread to soak up all the delicious flavors!
Recipe Variations
- Extra Creamy: For an ultra-creamy sauce, use 3 tablespoons of heavy cream instead of half-and-half.
- Chunkier Sauce: Use sliced or whole garlic (5-6 cloves) instead of minced for a chunkier sauce and a mellower garlic flavor.
- Fresh Herbs: Stir in 2-3 tablespoons of fresh chopped parsley, basil, oregano, and/or chives for added flavor, or 1 tbsp of dried herbs.
- No Alcohol: While the white wine cooks off, make this recipe with no alcohol if needed by replacing it with extra chicken broth.
- Veggies: Add a pop of color and nutrition by stirring in 1 cup of sliced cremini or baby bella mushrooms when adding the onions for an earthly depth. Or toss in 2 cups of baby spinach or chopped kale in the last few minutes of cooking.
- Nutty Garnish: Top the cooked chicken and cream sauce with toasted pine nuts or sliced almonds before serving for added crunch and flavor.
- Tomato Sauce: Mix in ¼ cup of chopped sun-dried tomatoes when adding the broth, lemon juice, and zest for a tangy, slightly sweet contrast.
- Spicy Kick: Add ¼ - ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes or a dash or cayenne for a subtle heat that complements the other flavors.
- Gluten-Free: This recipe is naturally gluten-free, so simply serve it over gluten-free pasta, polenta, or mashed potatoes for a dietary-friendly dish!
Serving Suggestions
Pair this creamy garlic chicken recipe with pasta like pappardelle, orzo, or rice to soak up the tasty sauce. For a comfort-food touch, serve it with mashed potatoes! Serve with a veggie side like some of my favorite recipes below for a full-spread, well-balanced dinner:
Storage Directions
- Refrigerating: Leftovers keep in a covered airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. I don’t recommend freezing this recipe, as the sauce can separate when thawed.
- Reheating: Warm leftovers gently in a skillet over low heat on the stovetop, adding a splash of broth if needed to loosen the sauce.
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Tools Needed to Make This Recipe
- 12-inch Skillet
- Microplane Zester
- Chef’s Knife
- Wooden Mixing Spoon
- Cutting Board
- Measuring Cups & Spoons
More Quick Dinner Recipes
- Ground Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet
- Southwest Chicken and Black Beans
- Italian Sausage and Peppers Pasta
- Thai Salmon Panang Curry
- Moroccan Lentil Soup
Recipe Card
Creamy Garlic Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1.25 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup sliced yellow or white onion
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 4-5 minced garlic cloves
- ½ cup dry white wine such as sauvignon blanc, pinot grigio, or chardonnay
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ¾ teaspoon dried thyme or 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
- 1 ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- ¼ cup half & half
- ⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese
- hot cooked pappardelle noodles mashed potatoes, or rice, to serve
Instructions
- Heat a deep 12” skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and butter to the skillet and melt until the butter starts to foam.
- Add the chicken thighs and onion to the skillet and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring and flipping the chicken halfway through, until the chicken is browned on the outsides and the onions turn translucent.
- Add the garlic to the skillet and saute for 1-1.5 minutes or until fragrant.
- Pour the white wine into the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring to release any brown bits from the bottom of the pan or until most of the liquid has evaporated.
- Add the zest, lemon juice, thyme, and chicken broth to the skillet. Bring to a simmer and then reduce the heat to medium and simmer uncovered for 8-10 minutes, stirring every few minutes or until the sauce has thickened and the chicken thighs are cooked through.
- Reduce the heat to low. Stir the half and half and parmesan cheese into the chicken and heat until the cheese is melted, or about 1-2 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and serve the chicken hot over pasta or rice!
Notes
- Refrigerating: Leftovers keep in a covered airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. I don’t recommend freezing this recipe, as the sauce can separate when thawed.
- Reheating: Warm leftovers gently in a skillet over low heat on the stovetop, adding a splash or broth if needed to loosen the sauce.
- Deglaze the pan properly. The wine lifts all the flavorful browned bits that stick when cooking chicken recipes to make the sauce extra delicious. This is a key step for the best flavor!
- Avoid burning the garlic. When adding the minced garlic to the pan, it doesn’t need long! Cook just until it becomes fragrant; cooking it too long can cause it to become bitter.
- Use freshly grated parmesan. Grating parmesan from the block melts better and gives this dish a richer flavor than pre-shredded cheese.
- Serve over a grain. Pair this creamy chicken over pasta, rice, or potatoes, or serve with crusty bread to soak up all the delicious flavors!
