When you need a dinner that feels indulgent, comforting, and restaurant-worthy—but still quick and simple—this chicken in garlic parmesan sauce is the answer. It’s creamy, rich, full of garlic flavor, and comes together in one pan in about 30 minutes. Perfect for weeknights, cozy weekends, or anytime you’re craving something satisfying without a lot of effort.
This recipe has everything going for it. Juicy chicken breasts are pan-seared until golden, then finished in a luxurious garlic parmesan cream sauce that clings beautifully to every bite. It’s the kind of dish that looks fancy on the plate but uses everyday ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. If you’ve ever searched for an easy chicken in garlic parmesan sauce that actually tastes amazing, this is it.
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Why This Chicken in Garlic Parmesan Sauce Is So Popular
Garlic, cream, and parmesan are a classic combination for a reason. Together, they create a sauce that’s rich without being heavy and flavorful without overpowering the chicken. This recipe strikes the perfect balance, making it ideal for both beginners and experienced home cooks.
What really makes this chicken in garlic parmesan sauce recipe shine is its versatility. You can keep it simple with chicken breasts, switch to chicken thighs in garlic parmesan sauce for extra juiciness, or even turn it into a pasta dish. It’s also incredibly forgiving, which means you can customize it based on what you have on hand.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Chicken
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2 large chicken breast fillets
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1 teaspoon salt
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½ teaspoon black pepper
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Paprika, to taste
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2 tablespoons flour
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Vegetable oil, for frying
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20 g butter
For the Garlic Parmesan Sauce
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3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
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200 ml heavy cream
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100 ml chicken broth
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50 g parmesan cheese, freshly grated
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A small squeeze of lemon juice
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½ teaspoon dried thyme
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Fresh parsley, chopped
These simple ingredients come together to create a smooth, flavorful ceramy parmesan sauce for chicken that tastes far more complex than it actually is.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare and Season the Chicken
Start by patting the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. This step is important because it helps the chicken sear properly instead of releasing moisture into the pan. Season both sides with salt, black pepper, paprika, and flour.
The light coating of flour not only helps create a golden crust but also plays a key role in thickening the sauce later. This technique is what gives the dish that irresistible creamy garlic parmesan crispy chicken texture without deep frying.
If you prefer darker meat, this method works just as well for chicken thighs in garlic parmesan sauce, giving you even more tenderness and flavor.
Step 2: Sear the Chicken Until Golden
Heat vegetable oil and butter together in a large pan over medium heat. Once hot, add the chicken breasts and cook for about 4–5 minutes per side, until they develop a beautiful golden-brown crust.
This step is essential for locking in moisture and building flavor. The goal here is not just cooking the chicken, but creating the foundation for a truly crispy garlic parmesan chicken dish.
Once done, remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside. It doesn’t need to be fully cooked at this point—it will finish cooking later in the sauce.
Step 3: Build the Garlic Base
In the same pan, add the chopped garlic. Stir it gently for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant. Be careful not to let it brown too much, as burnt garlic can turn bitter.
This quick step releases the garlic’s aroma and sets the tone for the sauce, instantly making your kitchen smell like a restaurant serving easy garlic parmesan chicken.
Step 4: Make the Creamy Garlic Parmesan Sauce
Pour in the chicken broth and stir well, scraping up all the flavorful bits from the bottom of the pan. These bits add depth and richness to the sauce.
Next, add the heavy cream, lemon juice, thyme, and grated parmesan cheese. Stir gently and let the sauce simmer until it thickens into a smooth, velvety consistency. This is where the magic happens—the sauce transforms into a luxurious creamy parmesan sauce for chicken that coats every spoonful.
For extra nutrients and color, you can add spinach at this stage to make creamy garlic Parmesan chicken with spinach, a popular and delicious variation.
Step 5: Return the Chicken to the Pan
Place the chicken breasts back into the pan and spoon the sauce over them. Let everything simmer together for 2–3 minutes, allowing the chicken to absorb all the garlic and parmesan flavors.
This final step is what brings the entire dish together, turning simple ingredients into a complete and comforting chicken in garlic parmesan sauce that’s rich, flavorful, and perfectly cooked.
Finish with freshly chopped parsley for brightness and a pop of color.
Serving Ideas
One of the best things about this recipe is how easy it is to serve in different ways. You can keep it classic or get creative depending on your mood.
Serve it with pasta to create creamy garlic parmesan chicken pasta, spooning extra sauce over the noodles. Pair it with rice or mashed potatoes for a comforting, hearty meal, or serve it with crusty bread to soak up every bit of the sauce.
If you prefer oven-finished dishes, you can also turn this into baked chicken in garlic parmesan sauce by transferring everything to a baking dish and baking briefly until bubbly.
Tips, Variations, and Storage
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For extra crunch, lightly bread the chicken before frying to make creamy garlic parmesan crispy chicken.
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Add mushrooms or bell peppers for a one-pan garlic parmesan chicken skillet.
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This easy chicken in garlic parmesan sauce keeps well in the fridge for up to three days.
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Reheat gently with a splash of cream or broth to maintain the sauce’s texture.