If you’re looking for a comforting, flavorful dinner that feels restaurant-worthy but is easy to make at home, this Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken is the perfect choice. Tender chicken breasts are pan-seared until golden, then simmered in a rich, velvety garlic cream sauce with Parmesan and herbs. This Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken recipe is ideal for busy weeknights yet impressive enough for guests.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken is packed with flavor and incredibly simple to prepare. The chicken becomes juicy and tender while the garlic cream sauce turns silky and savory with melted Parmesan. It’s a one-pan meal that saves time on cleanup and pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, or crusty bread. Families love it because it’s creamy, comforting, and full of familiar flavors.
Ingredients

Chicken
- 4 thin-cut chicken breasts
- 4 tablespoons flour
- 4 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, shredded
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
Creamy Garlic Sauce
- 1 small yellow onion, peeled and chopped
- 1 head garlic, peeled with clove ends trimmed
- 1 ¼ cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- In a shallow bowl, combine flour, shredded Parmesan, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Dredge the chicken breasts in the mixture, coating both sides well. Shake off excess flour.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and butter.
- Once the butter melts, add the chicken to the skillet. Cook for 3–5 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove chicken and set aside on a plate.
- In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and cook for about 5–7 minutes until translucent.
- Add the garlic cloves and sauté until soft and fragrant.
- Pour in a small amount of chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up the browned bits for extra flavor.
- Add the remaining broth and heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to medium and stir occasionally until the sauce thickens.
- Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
- Return the chicken to the pan along with any juices. Cook for about 2 minutes, spooning the sauce over the chicken.
- Garnish the Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan before serving.

Tips & Tricks
For the best results, use thin chicken breasts so they cook evenly and stay juicy. If your chicken is thick, slice it horizontally before cooking. Freshly grated Parmesan melts better than pre-shredded varieties and gives the sauce a smoother texture. If the sauce becomes too thick, simply add a splash of chicken broth to loosen it.
Details
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Category: Dinner
Method: Skillet / Stovetop
Cuisine: American-inspired comfort food
Difficulty: Easy
Dietary Notes: Halal-friendly, high-protein

Notes
You can serve Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken over pasta, mashed potatoes, rice, or steamed vegetables. For added color and flavor, try adding spinach or mushrooms to the sauce while it simmers. Fresh herbs like thyme or basil can also enhance the dish.
Nutrition (Approximate per serving)
Calories: 520
Protein: 38g
Carbohydrates: 8g
Fat: 36g
FAQ
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Yes, boneless skinless chicken thighs work well and provide an even juicier result.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes. Cook the chicken and sauce ahead, then reheat gently on the stove before serving.
How can I make the sauce thicker?
Let the sauce simmer longer or add a small amount of grated Parmesan.
Can I use milk instead of heavy cream?
You can, but the sauce will be thinner and less rich.
What sides go best with Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken?
Rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or crusty bread all pair beautifully.
Storage
Store leftover Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of broth or cream to refresh the sauce. It can also be frozen for up to 2 months, though the cream sauce may slightly change texture after thawing.

Similar Recipes

Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 thin-cut chicken breasts
- 4 tablespoons flour
- 4 tablespoons Parmesan cheese shredded
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
Creamy Garlic Sauce
- 1 small yellow onion peeled and chopped
- 1 head garlic peeled with clove ends trimmed
- 1 ¼ cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese grated
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
- In a shallow bowl, combine flour, shredded Parmesan, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Dredge the chicken breasts in the mixture, coating both sides well. Shake off excess flour.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and butter.
- Once the butter melts, add the chicken to the skillet. Cook for 3–5 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove chicken and set aside on a plate.
- In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and cook for about 5–7 minutes until translucent.
- Add the garlic cloves and sauté until soft and fragrant.
- Pour in a small amount of chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up the browned bits for extra flavor.
- Add the remaining broth and heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to medium and stir occasionally until the sauce thickens.
- Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
- Return the chicken to the pan along with any juices. Cook for about 2 minutes, spooning the sauce over the chicken.
- Garnish the Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan before serving.
Notes
Conclusion
This Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken is a comforting and satisfying meal that comes together quickly in just one pan. With its golden chicken, rich garlic cream sauce, and melted Parmesan, it’s a recipe that delivers big flavor with minimal effort. Once you try it, it may become a regular favorite in your dinner rotation.
