Creamy Garlic Chicken

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 6-8 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup (240ml) chicken broth
• 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Prep the chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and paprika.
2. Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside.
3. Make the garlic sauce: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add the butter. Once melted, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant (be careful not to burn it).
4. Build the sauce: Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.
5. Add the cream: Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Simmer gently for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.
6. Combine: Return the chicken to the skillet, spooning the sauce over the top. Let it simmer for another 2 minutes to heat the chicken through.
7. Serve: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve over pasta, mashed potatoes, or with crusty bread to soak up the creamy sauce.

Tips

• Don’t rush the garlic — 30 seconds is enough; burnt garlic turns bitter quickly.
• Let the sauce thicken naturally — if it’s too thin, simmer a bit longer.
• Add veggies — spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, or mushrooms make great additions.

Enjoy your creamy garlic chicken!