Description
A delicious and creamy garlic chicken recipe featuring tender boneless chicken breasts cooked to golden perfection and served in a rich, flavorful Parmesan cream sauce infused with garlic and thyme. This skillet dish is quick to prepare, perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat to prepare for cooking the chicken.
- Dry the chicken breasts: Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture, ensuring better browning.
- Season the chicken: Season both sides of each chicken breast with salt and black pepper for balanced flavor.
- Sear the chicken: Place the chicken breasts carefully in the hot skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and fully cooked through.
- Remove and keep warm: Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm while preparing the sauce.
- Sauté garlic: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden.
- Deglaze the skillet: Pour in the chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the skillet to loosen any flavorful browned bits.
- Add cream and simmer: Stir in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Incorporate Parmesan and thyme: Add grated Parmesan cheese and dried thyme, stirring continuously until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens, about 3-4 minutes.
- Adjust seasoning: Taste the sauce and add additional salt and black pepper if desired.
- Return chicken to skillet: Place the cooked chicken breasts back into the skillet and spoon the creamy sauce over them.
- Add butter for richness: Stir in the butter until it melts completely, creating a smooth and glossy sauce.
- Simmer together: Let the chicken simmer in the sauce for 2-3 minutes to heat through and meld flavors.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the dish before serving for a fresh, vibrant finish.
Notes
- Ensure chicken breasts are patted dry to achieve a nice sear and golden crust.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for best melting and flavor.
- Adjust cream thickness by simmering the sauce longer if needed to reach desired consistency.
- Serve with steamed vegetables or over pasta/rice to make a complete meal.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
