🔍 A Comfort Food Classic
There’s something irresistible about creamy garlic butter chicken. Tender golden chicken simmered in a silky, buttery garlic sauce—it’s rich, flavorful, and made in one pan. This dish takes less than 30 minutes but tastes like something from your favorite restaurant. Whether you serve it with rice, mashed potatoes, or pasta, every bite is pure comfort.
The secret to this creamy garlic butter chicken recipe lies in its simplicity. You don’t need complicated ingredients or long cooking times. A few pantry staples—garlic, butter, cream, and parmesan—come together to create a sauce that’s luxurious and deeply satisfying.
Table of Contents
🍳 How to Make Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken
🥩 Step 1 – Sear the Chicken
Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the chicken and sear for 5–6 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove from the pan and set aside.
🧄 Step 2 – Make the Garlic Butter Sauce
In the same skillet, melt the remaining butter. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. The aroma is what gives this creamy garlic butter chicken its signature flavor base.
🧀 Step 3 – Add Liquids, Cheese & Herbs
Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, scraping the bottom of the pan to release the browned bits. Stir in grated parmesan and Italian herbs, then simmer for 3–4 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens.
🍗 Step 4 – Return Chicken to the Pan
Place the chicken back into the skillet and spoon the sauce over it. Let it simmer for a few minutes until the chicken is fully coated in the rich, creamy garlic butter sauce.
🌿 Step 5 – Serve
Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately. The sauce is perfect over mashed potatoes, pasta, or roasted vegetables—it’s pure comfort food.
💚 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s ready in under 30 minutes.
- Everything cooks in one skillet for easy cleanup.
- The flavor is rich, garlicky, and perfectly balanced.
- Works with chicken breasts or thighs.
- Delicious with pasta, rice, or a crusty slice of bread.
This creamy garlic butter chicken checks all the boxes—quick, comforting, and absolutely mouthwatering.
💡 Chef’s Tips & Variations
- Swap the chicken: Boneless chicken thighs work beautifully for a juicier result.
- Add color: Toss in spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, or mushrooms.
- Lighter version: Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for fewer calories.
- Extra flavor: Add a squeeze of lemon juice at the end for brightness.
- Make it spicy: Sprinkle in a pinch of chili flakes or paprika.
This dish adapts to your mood—creamy, cozy, or with a Mediterranean twist.
🍽️ What to Serve With Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken
This creamy garlic butter chicken is delicious on its own, but it truly shines when paired with the right sides. Try it with fluffy rice, garlic mashed potatoes, or spaghetti tossed in olive oil. It also pairs perfectly with a crisp green salad or roasted vegetables for a complete dinner.
If you enjoy creamy skillet dinners, check out our Marry Me Chicken — another viral favorite that’s equally irresistible. Or for something lighter, try the Creamy Lemon Ricotta Pasta, which brings a bright and fresh Mediterranean flavor to your table.
Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken – One Skillet Comfort Food
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Season the chicken: Pat chicken breasts dry and season with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil and 20 g butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken for about 5–6 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet, melt the remaining butter. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add liquids: Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, scraping up browned bits from the pan.
- Add cheese and herbs: Stir in Parmesan and Italian herbs. Simmer for 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Combine: Return the chicken to the pan and spoon the sauce over it. Simmer 3–4 minutes until heated through.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped parsley and serve with pasta, rice, or roasted potatoes.
Notes
- Substitute chicken thighs for extra tenderness.
- For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of cream.
- Perfectly pairs with mashed potatoes or sautéed vegetables.
❤️ Final Thoughts
This creamy garlic butter chicken recipe is proof that simple ingredients can create restaurant-quality comfort food at home. Every bite is rich, buttery, and infused with garlic and herbs. It’s the kind of recipe you’ll make once and keep forever—perfect for family dinners, date nights, or when you just want something warm and satisfying.
For the science lovers, you can read more about how emulsification creates creamy sauces on Wikipedia’s page about butter-based sauces — it’s what gives this dish its smooth, glossy texture.
So grab your skillet and ingredients—you’re only 30 minutes away from the creamiest, dreamiest garlic butter chicken ever.