Creamy Garlic Chicken is the ultimate comfort dinner recipe! Tender, juicy chicken breasts are cooked to perfection on the stovetop in a creamy medley of garlic, spinach, white wine and more. This is a restaurant quality meal that’s so easy to make!
What’s in Creamy Garlic Chicken
You only need 8 simple ingredients to make this creamy chicken dinner. You likely already have most of them on hand!
- Chicken Breasts: You can either use 4 small breasts or 2 larger ones that have been cut in half lengthwise.
- Flour: All-purpose flour is used to dredge the chicken and give it the best consistency.
- Butter: I prefer to use unsalted butter. That way, if I do want a saltier taste I can just sprinkle in a pinch.
- Olive Oil: Avocado oil can be used instead if preferred.
- Garlic: You’ll need a whole head of fresh garlic cloves for this supremely garlicky recipe!
- Wine: Use a dry white wine for the cream sauce.
- Heavy Cream: This is what gives the sauce the best creamy consistency. I don’t recommend swapping it with anything else.
- Baby Spinach: Make sure you’re really packing the 2 cups full of spinach. Don’t worry if it looks like you’re adding a ton, because it cooks down beautifully.
Pro Tip: If your garlic cloves are really big, cut them in half so they’re all roughly the same size and cut evenly.
What else can I add?
There are plenty of ways you can customize this creamy garlic chicken recipe! Here are just a few ingredients you may want to consider tossing into the skillet:
- A dollop of whole grain mustard.
- Fresh or dried herbs, such as rosemary or thyme.
- A spoonful of pesto.
- Mushrooms – one of garlic’s BFF’s!
- Sun dried or cherry tomatoes, for a pop of color and twist in texture.
I’ve used chicken breasts for this creamy garlic chicken recipe, they’re easy plus they sear nice and evenly. But you could also use boneless chicken thighs, they’re a flavorful cut and work great too.
It can be so easy to overcook a chicken breast, which dries it out in no time! A meat thermometer is a great way to check if your chicken is done.
The internal temp should be 165°F. If you’re careful with your internal temperature, your chicken will come out juicy and tender every time.
I only recommend using fresh spinach for this recipe if possible. It cooks down to the best consistency with the other ingredients.
How to Store and Reheat
Once your chicken cools to room temperature, transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Feel free to reheat in the microwave or right back on your stovetop over medium-low heat until warmed all the way through.
Because of the creamy sauce, I don’t recommend freezing this chicken.
Serving Suggestions
This garlic chicken is friendly with all kinds of sides. Pasta or mashed potatoes make it super hearty and take on the sauce nicely. Or, you can go lighter with a salad if you want.
Steamed or roasted veggies are also great, as is rice. A nice crusty bread to mop up that addictive garlic sauce is never a bad idea!
Creamy Garlic Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 small boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or 2 large chicken breasts cut in half, lengthwise)
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1½ tablespoons unsalted butter divided
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 head garlic peeled
- ½ cup dry white wine
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups packed baby spinach
Instructions
- Season chicken breasts on both sides with salt and pepper.4 small boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Place flour on a medium plate. Dredge each chicken breast with flour, patting off any excess.¼ cup all-purpose flour
- Heat a large skillet with high sides to a medium-high heat. Add one tablespoon butter and olive oil. Once the butter has melted, add the chicken breasts. Sear until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes. Flip and sear until brown, another 2-3 minutes. Remove the chicken breasts from the pan and set aside on a plate. (Do not worry about cooking the chicken all the way through, they will finish cooking later.)1½ tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Add the remaining ½ tablespoon butter to the pan. Turn the heat down to medium and add all the peeled garlic cloves. Toast the garlic until light brown on all sides. Be careful to not burn the garlic.1 head garlic
- Pour in the wine. Bring it up to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Simmer until reduced by half. Once the wine has reduced, pour in the cream. Again, bring the cream and wine up to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Add the chicken back to the sauce, cover and cook until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.½ cup dry white wine, 1 cup heavy cream
- Once the chicken is cooked, add in the spinach. Shut the lid and simmer for another 1-2 minutes. Remove the lid and toss the spinach with the chicken and sauce until completely wilted. Season to taste with salt and pepper.2 cups packed baby spinach
Notes
- A meat thermometer is a great way to check if your chicken is done. The internal temp should be 165 degrees.
- If your garlic cloves are really big, cut them in half so they’re all roughly the same size and cut evenly.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, should last 3 days.
- You can sub in boneless chicken thighs if you like.
Jerry Bryars says
This recipe is Awesome!!!! I’ll definitely cook it again!!!
Becky Hardin says
I’m so glad you loved it, Jerry!!
Caroline says
I love this recipe
Christy Myers says
I have made this three times now. It is the best. Easy and so good! Thank you. I did t change a thing. The white wine is a Must addition.
Becky Hardin says
I’m so happy to hear you love this recipe, Christy!
Kelli says
Fantastic recipe!! I doubled the sauce and added free range organic chicken broth to it as well. Scrumptious!!
Thank you!
Becky Hardin says
I’m so glad you loved it, Kelli!
Pete says
Not a ton of flavor. HOWEVER, I added Dijon mustard and lemon juice to the leftovers and it was much better.
Becky Hardin says
Thanks so much for sharing what worked for you, Pete!
Pat Kehoe says
While I have tried some of your recipes and enjoyed them I am really concerned about the amount of bad ingredients, 113% of daily saturated fat and 79% cholesterol.
Becky Hardin says
Hi Pat, this is not a health food site, and not all of my recipes are super healthy. Everything in moderation! I certainly wouldn’t eat this dish every day!
Carolyn says
Absolutely delicious
Becky Hardin says
So glad you enjoyed it, Carolyn!