10 Tasty Chicken Recipes You’ll Crave Every Week
chicken recipes can feel exciting on Monday and exhausting by Thursday. You want something fast, cozy, and actually worth repeating. I get it. That is why I keep a short list I rotate through when the week is busy and the cravings are loud. My creamy garlic chicken is the star, and it fits right into my little series I call 10 Tasty Chicken Recipes You’ll Crave Every Week. It is rich without being heavy, simple without being boring, and friendly with almost any side you have. 
Creamy Garlic Chicken Recipe
This creamy garlic chicken is the kind of dinner that makes people wander into the kitchen asking what smells so good. It cooks in one skillet, uses everyday ingredients, and it is ready in about 30 minutes. The sauce is silky and garlicky with a tiny tang from lemon. I like to leave the chicken a touch golden so the edges stay a little crisp under all that cream. It is the cornerstone of my 10 Tasty Chicken Recipes You’ll Crave Every Week because it is reliable and tastes like a hug.
Ingredients
Here is everything you need to make this tonight:
- 4 small chicken breasts or 6 chicken tenderloins
- 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter
- 6 to 8 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
- 3/4 cup heavy cream or half and half
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning or a mix of dried basil and oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Juice of half a lemon
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Directions
1) Pat the chicken dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, and paprika. Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering.
2) Sear the chicken until golden on both sides, about 4 to 5 minutes per side, depending on thickness. Transfer to a plate so it stays juicy.
3) In the same skillet, lower the heat and add the garlic. Cook just until fragrant, about 30 seconds, stirring so it does not burn. Stir in the Dijon and Italian seasoning.
4) Pour in the chicken broth. Scrape up the browned bits with a wooden spoon. That is flavor. Reduce the liquid by about a third, 3 to 4 minutes.
5) Stir in the cream. Simmer gently until the sauce thickens slightly. Add the lemon juice and taste for seasoning. It should be bright and savory.
6) Return the chicken and any juices to the skillet. Spoon sauce over the top and simmer 2 to 3 minutes, just until the chicken is cooked through.
7) Finish with chopped parsley. Serve right away with something that will soak up the sauce.
Swaps and Tips
Use thighs if you like them more. Swap cream for full fat coconut milk for a dairy free twist. Add spinach or mushrooms at the broth step to bulk it up. If you want more garlic, roast a whole head and mash it into the sauce for a sweet, mellow hit. For extra richness, whisk in a small knob of cold butter at the end. It makes the sauce shiny.
« I made this creamy garlic chicken after work and my husband literally licked his plate. We never have leftovers. » – Tia, a reader who cooks for two and needed a weeknight win
When I say this is in my rotation for 10 Tasty Chicken Recipes You’ll Crave Every Week, I mean it. I reach for it on busy nights and it always delivers.
How to Make Creamy Garlic Chicken Step-by-Step Photos
What Your Skillet Should Look Like at Each Step
1) Seasoned chicken going into a hot skillet: you want a visible sizzle and a little smoke at the edges. That is your browning magic.
2) Golden sear on both sides: think deep gold with tiny crisp bits. If the chicken is stuck, it is not ready to flip. Give it another 30 seconds.
3) Garlic in butter and oil: the pan should be warm but not scorching. You should smell garlic within seconds. If it browns fast, lower the heat.
4) Deglazing with broth: the pan will steam and hiss. Scrape up the brown bits until the bottom looks mostly clean. This gives you a deeper sauce.
5) Cream swirling in: you should see the color shift to a pale tan. Keep the simmer gentle. Big bubbles can split the sauce.
6) Chicken nestled back in: sauce should coat the back of a spoon. If it is thin, simmer one more minute. If it is too thick, add a splash of broth.
7) Finish with lemon and herbs: taste, adjust salt, and serve. If you like, add a tiny pinch of red pepper flakes for a warm finish.
Keep your phone handy while cooking and snap these steps for your own reference next time. It helps more than you think.
Serving Suggestions
This sauce begs for something starchy or something bright. Here are my favorite pairings that keep dinner balanced and fast:
- Buttered noodles with a sprinkle of parsley. If you want a full recipe, try my cozy favorite here: chicken with buttered noodles.
- Creamy mashed potatoes with a splash of olive oil and cracked pepper.
- Roasted broccoli or asparagus for crunch and color.
- Steamed rice, then finish with a squeeze of lemon over everything.
- Simple salad with cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and a lemony dressing.
- Crusty bread to mop up every last drop of sauce.
For dessert nights, I keep it playful. Creamy chicken for dinner, something sweet after. Your future self will be happy.
More Creamy Chicken Recipes
My Go-To List for Cozy Nights
If you are building your own lineup of 10 Tasty Chicken Recipes You’ll Crave Every Week, start here. These are comfort food favorites that still feel fresh. Mix and match based on what is in your fridge and what you are craving.
- Sun dried tomato chicken with spinach in a light cream sauce.
- Lemon parmesan chicken with a squeeze of extra lemon at the end.
- Mushroom chicken with thyme and a splash of sherry or white wine.
- Chicken and bacon in creamy mustard sauce with peas.
- Creamy pesto chicken with blistered cherry tomatoes.
- Skillet chicken alfredo with extra black pepper and a shower of parmesan.
- Chicken piccata spin with a touch of cream to round the edges.
- Roasted garlic and herb chicken with a pan sauce you whisk in the skillet.
- Spinach artichoke chicken that tastes like the dip, but dinner.
- French onion chicken orzo casserole for a set it and forget it bake.
When you want even more inspiration, scroll the full collection here: all chicken recipes on SnaccEats. There is always something that fits the mood.
Reader Favorite Recipes
What This Community Cooks on Repeat
I love seeing what you make and remake. The recipes that get tagged the most are the ones that are fast, comforting, and forgiving. Here are a few that have become weeknight legends in our little corner of the internet.
1) Creamy garlic chicken, of course. You all say it tastes like restaurant food with pantry ingredients.
2) One pan lemon herb chicken and potatoes. Toss, roast, done.
3) Sticky honey garlic chicken bites. Sweet, savory, and great for meal prep.
4) Crispy oven baked chicken thighs with paprika and garlic. Perfect skin without babysitting a skillet.
5) Creamy tomato basil chicken. This one turns out well even if you eyeball the cream and basil.
Some nights you pair it with pasta. Other nights it is rice and a quick salad. Keep it flexible and it will keep working for you.
Common Questions
Quick Answers for Busy Cooks
Q: Can I make creamy garlic chicken ahead of time?
A: Yes. Cook the chicken and sauce, cool, and store in the fridge up to 3 days. Reheat gently on low so the sauce stays smooth.
Q: How do I thicken the sauce if it is too thin?
A: Simmer 1 to 2 minutes longer or whisk in a teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with a tablespoon of cold water. Add slowly until it looks right.
Q: What if my sauce looks split?
A: Lower the heat, whisk, and add a splash of cream. Often it comes back together. Finishing with a small knob of cold butter helps.
Q: Can I use frozen chicken?
A: Thaw first for even cooking. If you must start from frozen, slice thinly and cook a bit longer, but the texture is better when thawed.
Q: What can I use instead of cream?
A: Half and half works. For dairy free, full fat coconut milk is a good swap. It adds a subtle coconut note that is lovely with garlic.
Ready to Cook This Tonight?
When your week needs a win, creamy garlic chicken steps up every time. It is the center of my 10 Tasty Chicken Recipes You’ll Crave Every Week, and it plays nice with noodles, rice, or a crisp salad. If you want another take on this flavor profile, check out the classic from Budget Bytes here: Creamy Garlic Chicken – Budget Bytes. If you are stocking your meal plan with easy ideas, browse more chicken favorites at Easy Chicken Recipes for Home Cooks | Simple Home Edit. And if nostalgia calls, this list is a treasure trove: Grandma’s Chicken Recipes: 53 Dishes We’re Passing Down. Now grab a skillet, make the sauce, and enjoy every bite.
Creamy Garlic Chicken
Ingrédients
Method
- Pat the chicken dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering.
- Sear the chicken until golden on both sides, about 4 to 5 minutes per side, depending on thickness. Transfer to a plate.
- In the same skillet, lower the heat and add the garlic. Cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Stir in the Dijon mustard and Italian seasoning.
- Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up the browned bits with a wooden spoon. Reduce the liquid by about a third, 3 to 4 minutes.
- Stir in the cream and simmer gently until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Add the lemon juice and taste for seasoning.
- Return the chicken and any juices to the skillet. Spoon sauce over the top and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until cooked through.
- Finish with chopped parsley and serve right away.
