Mommy Cooking

QUICK WEEKNIGHT

Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken

By Mommy Tiana · Quick Weeknight Specialist

4.9 (312 ratings)
Rated 4.9 out of 5

⏱️ Prep 10m · 🔥 Cook 15m · ✅ Total 25 min · 🍽️ Serves 4 · 📊 Easy

🍗

This one started as a way to use up a lonely pack of chicken breasts on a Tuesday with nothing else planned. Turns out garlic, butter, and cream turn a plain weeknight into the dinner everyone asks about the next day.

🧺 Ingredients

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • ¾ cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup grated parmesan
  • 1 tsp Italian herbs
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for topping

👩‍🍳 Instructions

  1. Season the chicken: Pat chicken breasts dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, and paprika.
  2. Sear until golden: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken 5-6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
  3. Build the sauce: Lower heat to medium, melt butter in the same skillet, and sauté garlic for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Simmer: Pour in chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits. Stir in cream, parmesan, and Italian herbs. Simmer 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
  5. Finish and serve: Return chicken to the skillet, spoon sauce over top, and simmer 2 more minutes. Garnish with parsley and serve over rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes.

420 calories

Calories

38g

Protein

26g

Fat

6g

Carbs
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💡 Chef's Tip

Pound chicken breasts to an even thickness before searing so they cook evenly and stay juicy. Leftover sauce is amazing spooned over steamed veggies the next day.

🥗 Pairs Well With

  • Steamed broccoli or green beans for a classic, simple side
  • Roasted asparagus spears drizzled with a little of the garlic sauce
  • Garlicky sautéed spinach — it soaks up the cream sauce beautifully
  • Honey-glazed carrots for a touch of sweetness against the savory sauce
  • A simple side salad with cherry tomatoes and cucumber for crunch

❄️ Storage & Freezer Notes

  • Fridge: store in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
  • Freezer: freeze chicken and sauce together for up to 3 months; note that cream sauces can separate slightly after freezing.
  • Reheat: warm gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of milk or broth to bring the sauce back together. Avoid the microwave on high, which can make the sauce grainy.

👶 Kid-Friendly Serving Ideas

  • Slice the chicken into strips and call them 'cheesy chicken dippers' with extra sauce on the side for dipping.
  • Serve over mini pasta shells instead of rice — smaller shapes are easier for little hands.
  • Let kids spoon their own sauce so they feel in control of how 'saucy' their plate is.