Indulge in a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender, pan-seared chicken breasts enveloped in a rich, garlic-infused cream sauce. This recipe combines simplicity with gourmet taste, making it an ideal choice for both weeknight dinners and special occasions.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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Rich Garlic Flavor: Utilizes both whole garlic cloves and garlic powder to achieve a deep, mellow garlic essence without overpowering the palate. Salt & Lavender
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Quick and Easy: Ready in about 30 minutes, this one-pan meal simplifies cooking and cleanup, perfect for busy schedules. Little Sunny Kitchen
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Versatile Pairings: Complements a variety of sides such as mashed potatoes, pasta, or steamed vegetables, allowing for a customized dining experience.
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
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Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
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Salt and freshly cracked black pepper
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All-purpose flour
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Olive oil
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ButterCafe Delites+2Salt & Lavender+2Little Sunny Kitchen+2
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Whole garlic clovesThe Cozy Cook+2Salt & Lavender+2Cafe Delites+2
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Chicken broth
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Lemon juice
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Garlic powderSalt & Lavender
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Heavy creamLittle Sunny Kitchen+5Salt & Lavender+5Bad Batch Baking+5
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Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)Real Simple+6Salt & Lavender+6Bad Batch Baking+6
Directions
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Prepare the Chicken: Slice the chicken breasts horizontally to create thinner cutlets. Season both sides with salt and pepper, then lightly dredge in flour, shaking off any excess.Little Sunny Kitchen+3Salt & Lavender+3The Recipe Rebel+3
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Sear the Chicken: In a large skillet, heat olive oil and a portion of the butter over medium-high heat. Add the chicken cutlets and cook until golden brown on both sides and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
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Sauté the Garlic: In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining butter. Add the whole garlic cloves and cook until they are lightly browned and fragrant.
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Deglaze the Pan: Pour in the chicken broth and lemon juice, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Stir in the garlic powder and let the mixture simmer until slightly reduced.
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Create the Cream Sauce: Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream. Return the chicken cutlets to the skillet, spooning the sauce over them. Allow the chicken to simmer in the sauce for a few minutes until heated through and the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency.
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Serve: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired. Serve the chicken alongside your choice of sides, drizzled with the creamy garlic sauce.
Servings and Timing
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Servings: 4
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Preparation Time: 10 minutes
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Cooking Time: 20 minutes
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Total Time: 30 minutes
Variations
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Add Mushrooms: Incorporate sliced mushrooms when sautéing the garlic for an earthy flavor and added texture.
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Spinach Addition: Stir in fresh spinach leaves during the final minutes of cooking for a nutritious boost.
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Cheesy Twist: Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese into the sauce for an extra layer of richness.
Storage/Reheating
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Storage: Place any leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
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Reheating: Gently warm the chicken and sauce in a skillet over low heat until heated through. Avoid boiling to maintain the sauce’s creamy texture.
FAQs
How can I prevent the chicken breasts from drying out?
To ensure moist and tender chicken, slice the breasts into even, thinner cutlets and avoid overcooking. Using a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) can help achieve perfect doneness.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes, boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be used. Keep in mind that they may require a slightly longer cooking time due to their thickness.
Is it necessary to use whole garlic cloves?
Using whole garlic cloves imparts a mellow, sweet garlic flavor to the sauce. However, if you prefer a more intense garlic taste, you can mince the cloves instead.
What can I substitute for heavy cream?
For a lighter option, half-and-half can be used, though the sauce may be less rich and creamy. Be cautious when simmering, as lower-fat dairy products are more prone to curdling.
How do I thicken the sauce if it’s too thin?
Allow the sauce to simmer longer to reduce and thicken. Alternatively, you can create a slurry by mixing a teaspoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water and stirring it into the sauce.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
While best enjoyed fresh, you can prepare the dish ahead of time and refrigerate. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat to preserve the sauce’s consistency.
What sides pair well with this chicken?
This dish pairs excellently with mashed potatoes, pasta, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the creamy sauce. Steamed or roasted vegetables also complement the meal well.
Can I freeze leftovers?
Freezing is not recommended, as the cream-based sauce may separate and lose its smooth texture upon thawing.
How can I add a spicy kick to the dish?
Incorporate a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce into the cream sauce to introduce some heat.
Is it possible to make this recipe dairy-free?
To make a dairy-free version, substitute the butter with a plant-based alternative and use full-fat coconut milk or a dairy-free cream substitute in place of heavy cream
Print
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Description
This juicy chicken with creamy garlic sauce is a restaurant-worthy dinner made at home! Tender, seared chicken breasts in a rich garlic cream sauce topped with sautéed mushrooms.
Ingredients
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4 boneless chicken breasts
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Salt & pepper to taste
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1 tbsp olive oil
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2 tbsp butter
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1 cup sliced mushrooms
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4 garlic cloves, minced
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1 cup heavy cream
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1/2 cup chicken broth
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1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
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Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
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Season chicken with salt & pepper, sear in olive oil until golden. Set aside.
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In same pan, sauté mushrooms and garlic in butter.
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Stir in cream, broth, and seasoning. Simmer until thickened.
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Return chicken to pan and cook until done.
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Garnish with parsley and serve.
Notes
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Great with mashed potatoes or pasta.
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Add a splash of white wine for extra flavor.
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