Creamy garlic parmesan chicken is a quick one-skillet chicken dinner made with golden chicken breasts, fresh garlic, cream, Parmesan cheese, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice. It is rich, smooth, and ready in 25 minutes, which makes it perfect when you want a creamy chicken dinner without a complicated method.
Why You'll Love My Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken
- It is ready in 25 minutes with simple everyday ingredients.
- Everything cooks in one skillet, so the sauce gets extra flavor from the chicken.
- The garlic parmesan sauce is creamy, savory, and brightened with lemon juice.
- It works with pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, vegetables, or crusty bread.
I make this creamy garlic parmesan chicken when I want a dinner that feels generous but still fits into a normal weeknight. It is the kind of recipe I like when the fridge has chicken breasts, a little cream, and Parmesan waiting to be used. The skillet does most of the work, and the sauce comes together quickly after the chicken is cooked. If you like easy chicken dinners with plenty of sauce, you may also enjoy my Creamy Garlic Chicken in One Pan, Lemon Garlic Chicken Breast, or Chicken Marsala without Cream.
The flavor is rich, savory, and full of garlic, but it does not feel heavy because the Dijon mustard and lemon juice cut through the cream. The chicken stays tender because it is cooked first, then returned only briefly to the sauce. I like this method because the flour on the chicken helps create a golden surface, and the broth lifts the browned flavor from the skillet before the cream and Parmesan go in. For another simple skillet dinner, my Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs or Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta would also fit well on the same table.
Key Ingredients in Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken
These ingredients work together to create a creamy sauce, golden chicken, and balanced garlic parmesan flavor.
- Chicken Breast: I use boneless skinless chicken breasts because they cook quickly and work well with the creamy sauce. If the pieces are thick, slicing them in half helps them cook more evenly.
- Garlic, Olive Oil & Butter: Fresh garlic gives the sauce its main flavor, while olive oil and butter help the chicken turn golden in the skillet.
- Chicken Broth, Cream & Dijon Mustard: The broth loosens the sauce and brings up the flavor from the pan. The cream makes it smooth, and I like the Dijon because it adds a light sharpness.
- Parmesan, Lemon Juice & Parsley: Freshly grated Parmesan melts into the sauce and makes it savory. The lemon juice brightens the cream, and parsley gives a fresh finish.
How to Make Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken
Follow these simple steps to make this creamy garlic parmesan chicken in one skillet.
1. Season and Coat the Chicken: Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder, then dust lightly with flour.
2. Sear the Chicken: In a skillet, heat extra virgin olive oil and butter, then sear the chicken for about 4-5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Set aside.
3. Make the Sauce: In the same pan, sauté the garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the chicken broth to deglaze, then stir in the cream, Dijon mustard, and parmesan. Simmer until slightly thickened.
4. Add Lemon and Return the Chicken: Stir in the lemon juice, then nestle the chicken back into the sauce. Spoon sauce over the chicken and simmer for a couple more minutes.
Helpful Swaps
- You can use boneless skinless chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts, but they may need a few extra minutes.
- Whipping cream works if you do not have heavy cream.
- You can leave out the Dijon mustard, but the sauce will taste richer and less sharp.
- Freshly grated Parmesan is best, but finely grated packaged Parmesan can work if it melts well.
Tips for Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken
Use a Wide Skillet: I prefer using a wide skillet so the chicken has enough space to brown properly instead of steaming.
Do not Wipe the Pan: After cooking the chicken, those browned bits at the bottom of the skillet add so much flavor to the creamy garlic parmesan sauce.
Taste before Serving: Parmesan can be salty, so I always taste the sauce at the end before adding any extra salt.
Serve it While Warm: Creamy sauces are at their best straight from the pan, when the sauce is smooth and still coats the chicken beautifully.
Storage
I store leftover creamy garlic parmesan chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, then reheat it gently in a skillet over low heat so the sauce stays smooth.
What to Serve with Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken
I usually serve this creamy garlic parmesan chicken with something that can catch the sauce, like pasta, mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread. For something lighter, it also works well with Tomato Salad, Sautéed Zucchini, or Roasted Potatoes.
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Recipe
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breast - about 1½ lb (680 g)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
For the Garlic Parmesan Sauce
- 3 cloves garlic - minced
- 100 ml chicken broth
- 200 ml heavy cream or whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard - optional
- 50 g freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
Instructions
- Pat 3 boneless skinless chicken breast, about 1½ lb (680 g), dry with paper towels. Season both sides with ½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp black pepper, 1 tsp sweet paprika, and 1 tsp garlic powder. Coat lightly with 2 tbsp all-purpose flour.
- Heat 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil and 1 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and sear for 4 to 5 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Lower the heat to medium. Add 3 cloves garlic , minced, to the same skillet and cook for 30 seconds. Pour in 100 ml chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the pan to lift the flavor.
- Add 200 ml heavy cream or whipping cream and 1 tsp Dijon mustard, if using. Stir in 50 g freshly grated Parmesan cheese and simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes, until the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened.
- Stir 1 tbsp lemon juice into the creamy garlic parmesan sauce. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, spooning the sauce over the chicken. Sprinkle with 1 tbsp chopped parsley and serve warm.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Clara says
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken turned out amazing, so flavorful, quick, and comforting!