Irresistible Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe for Dinner Magic

Weeknight dinners spark magic when a creamy garlic butter chicken slides onto your plate with irresistible simplicity.

Comfort comes dressed in rich, velvety sauce that whispers culinary secrets.

Tender chicken breasts become the canvas for an extraordinary meal that feels both elegant and approachable.

Fragrant garlic promises depth beyond ordinary recipes, infusing each bite with warm, savory notes.

Mediterranean influences blend seamlessly with classic techniques, creating a dish that speaks directly to your appetite.

Minimal ingredients deliver maximum satisfaction, proving deliciousness doesn’t require complicated preparation.

You’ll want to savor every single morsel of this restaurant-quality masterpiece right from your own kitchen.

What Makes Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken So Good

• Master Kitchen Skills: Learn professional cooking techniques while preparing a restaurant-quality dish with simple steps that boost your culinary confidence.
• Quick Weeknight Winner: Create a delicious gourmet meal in under 30 minutes that impresses family and satisfies hunger with minimal kitchen effort.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for various dining scenarios from casual family dinners to elegant date nights, appealing to different taste preferences with its rich, creamy sauce and perfectly seasoned chicken.
• Customizable Comfort Food: Easily adapt the recipe by swapping proteins or adding vegetables, making it a flexible option for diverse dietary needs and preferences.

Everything You Need For Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken

• Chicken Breasts: Tender cuts that provide a lean and protein-rich base for the creamy sauce.

• Salt, Black Pepper, Dried Oregano, Paprika: A blend of spices that adds depth, warmth, and a robust flavor profile to the chicken.

• Olive Oil, Butter: Essential for creating a golden-brown sear on the chicken and developing a rich, velvety sauce base.

• Garlic, Heavy Cream, Parmesan Cheese: A classic combination that creates a luxurious, creamy sauce with intense savory notes.

• Fresh Lemon Juice, Fresh Parsley: Bright, zesty elements that add freshness and balance to the rich, creamy dish.

How To Cook Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken

Step 1: Prep The Chicken

Pat chicken breasts completely dry using clean paper towels. Season generously with salt, black pepper, dried oregano, and paprika, ensuring even coverage across all surfaces.

Step 2: Sizzle The Protein

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the surface looks shimmery and hot. Carefully place seasoned chicken into the pan, allowing each piece to develop a beautiful golden-brown crust.

Step 3: Cook To Perfection

Sear chicken for 5-6 minutes per side. Verify doneness by checking internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer cooked chicken to a warm plate and loosely cover with aluminum foil.

Step 4: Create Luxurious Sauce Base

Reduce skillet heat to medium. Melt butter until it becomes fragrant and develops a light golden color.

Step 5: Infuse With Garlic

Add minced garlic to melted butter. Stir constantly to prevent burning, cooking for about 30-45 seconds until the kitchen fills with an aromatic scent.

Step 6: Build Creamy Sauce

• Heavy cream
• Grated parmesan cheese
• Fresh lemon juice

Pour cream into skillet, whisking continuously. Sprinkle parmesan cheese, stirring until completely melted and smoothly integrated. Add lemon juice to brighten the sauce’s flavor profile.

Step 7: Reunite Chicken With Sauce

Return chicken to skillet, generously spooning creamy garlic butter sauce over each piece to ensure complete coating.

Step 8: Garnish And Serve

Sprinkle finely chopped fresh parsley across the chicken. Serve immediately, drizzling any remaining sauce over the top for maximum flavor enjoyment.

Tips To Nail Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken

• Dry Chicken Perfectly: Pat chicken breasts with paper towels to remove excess moisture, ensuring a crispy, golden-brown exterior when searing.
• Nail the Sear: Use a hot skillet with shimmering olive oil to create a beautiful crust, developing deep, rich flavors through proper caramelization.
• Prevent Sauce Separation: Whisk heavy cream slowly and consistently while adding parmesan cheese to create a smooth, velvety sauce without curdling.
• Boost Flavor Complexity: Add fresh lemon juice at the end to brighten the creamy sauce, cutting through richness and enhancing overall taste profile.
• Temperature Control Matters: Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165°F internally, guaranteeing safe and juicy results every time.

Ways To Switch Up Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken

• Herb-Infused Mediterranean Chicken: Replace dried oregano with fresh thyme and rosemary, swap paprika for za'atar seasoning for an authentic Mediterranean flavor profile.
• Low-Carb Keto Friendly Version: Use ghee instead of butter, replace heavy cream with coconut cream, and add extra garlic and herbs to boost fat content and flavor.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Substitute heavy cream with unsweetened almond milk mixed with nutritional yeast, use coconut oil instead of butter, keeping protein and seasoning consistent.
• Spicy Cajun Chicken Variation: Add cayenne pepper and smoked paprika to the seasoning blend, incorporate diced jalapeños into the sauce for a zesty, heat-packed version of the original recipe.

Great Sides For Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken

• Elevate Garlic Butter Chicken Pairing
• Match with Crisp Chardonnay to complement the creamy sauce's richness and cut through the butter's heaviness.
• Perfectly Balance Flavors: The wine's subtle oak notes and bright acidity will enhance the chicken's lemony undertones.
• Create Herbal Side Companion: Serve roasted asparagus or herbed quinoa to add fresh green elements that mirror the parsley garnish.
• Complement with Crusty Bread: Use a rustic sourdough to soak up the decadent garlic butter sauce, transforming every bite into a luxurious experience.

How To Keep Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken Fresh

• Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cover the chicken with the remaining sauce to keep it moist and prevent drying out.
• Wrap individual chicken breasts tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Separate the sauce into a different container to maintain its texture.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place chicken in a baking dish, add a splash of cream or chicken broth to prevent drying. Cover with foil and warm for 10-15 minutes until heated through.
• Reheat on 50% power in 30-second intervals, adding a tablespoon of cream to maintain moisture.

Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken FAQ Guide

• Is this recipe difficult to make?

Not at all! This chicken dish is beginner-friendly and requires basic cooking skills. The process is straightforward, with simple steps and common ingredients anyone can handle.

• Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes, chicken thighs work perfectly. They’ll provide more moisture and flavor. Just ensure they reach the same internal temperature of 165°F for safe cooking.

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

Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. When it hits 165°F at the thickest part, your chicken is perfectly cooked and safe to eat.

• What if I don't have fresh parsley for garnish?

No worries! You can skip the parsley or substitute with dried herbs like dried parsley, chives, or even a sprinkle of extra dried oregano for added flavor.

Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe

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4.6 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 25-30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent chicken meets dreamy garlic butter sauce in this classic comfort dish that elevates weeknight dinners. Richly seasoned with herbs and packed with flavor, this recipe delivers pure culinary satisfaction you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Protein

• 4 chicken breasts
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Dairy and Sauce

• 1/2 cup butter
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley

Seasonings and Additional Ingredients

• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

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Instructions

1. Prepare chicken breasts by patting them dry with paper towels and seasoning thoroughly with salt, black pepper, dried oregano, and paprika.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering and nearly smoking.
3. Carefully place seasoned chicken breasts into the hot skillet, cooking for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
4. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside, keeping warm on a plate tented with foil.
5. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and melt butter, allowing it to become fragrant and slightly golden.
6. Add minced garlic to the melted butter, stirring constantly to prevent burning and cook for 30-45 seconds until aromatic.
7. Pour heavy cream into the skillet, whisking continuously to create a smooth, creamy sauce.
8. Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese into the sauce, stirring until completely melted and integrated.
9. Stir in fresh lemon juice to brighten the sauce’s flavor profile.
10. Return chicken to the skillet, spooning the creamy garlic butter sauce over each piece to coat evenly.
11. Garnish with finely chopped fresh parsley for a pop of color and fresh herb flavor.
12. Serve immediately, drizzling any remaining sauce over the chicken for maximum flavor.

Notes

• Select chicken breasts of uniform thickness to ensure even cooking and prevent dry or undercooked areas.
• Pat chicken completely dry before seasoning to achieve a perfect golden-brown exterior and enhance crispy texture.
• Use a meat thermometer to guarantee chicken reaches safe internal temperature without overcooking.
• Consider alternative protein options like turkey or plant-based cutlets for dietary flexibility.
• Reduce cream sauce calories by substituting half-and-half or coconut milk for heavy cream.
• Balance rich sauce with lighter side dishes like roasted vegetables or crisp salad.
• Add red pepper flakes for subtle heat and complexity to the garlic butter sauce.
• Store leftover chicken in airtight container for up to 3 days, reheating gently to maintain moisture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 650
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 54 g
• Saturated Fat: 30 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 5 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 43 g
• Cholesterol: 180 mg