Creamy Garlic Chicken Skillet

This skillet dinner pairs golden, thin-sliced chicken breasts with a creamy garlic Parmesan sauce made in the same pan. It’s ready in about 25 minutes.

Slicing the chicken breasts in half horizontally does two things: they cook in half the time, and a pound and a half becomes four generous servings.

Serve it over pasta, rice or potatoes so none of the sauce goes to waste.

Ingredients and Swaps

• Chicken: Boneless, skinless breasts sliced into thin cutlets. Thighs work and take a few minutes longer.
• Garlic: Five cloves, minced.
• Broth and cream: Chicken broth lightens the sauce. Half-and-half or evaporated milk can replace the cream for a lighter version.
• Parmesan: Freshly grated melts most smoothly.
• Italian seasoning: For the chicken.

Tips for a Creamy, Unbroken Sauce

• Sear, then set aside. Brown the chicken and remove it, so it doesn’t overcook while you make the sauce.
• Scrape up the browned bits. They dissolve into the broth and flavor the sauce.
• Lower the heat for the cream. A gentle simmer keeps it smooth.
• Add the Parmesan gradually. Stir it in off the boil so it melts and doesn’t clump.
• Return the chicken at the end. A couple of minutes in the sauce warms it through.

Prices are from Walmart’s and ALDI’s websites for stores in Columbus, Ohio, checked in October 2026. Ohio’s grocery prices are within about 1% of the national average, so you may pay more or less depending on where you live, and prices change often. Here’s how we price our recipes.

Cost: Ingredients – $7.71 from Walmart, $6.85 from ALDI · Per Serving – $1.71 to $1.93

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Creamy Garlic Chicken Skillet

Juicy seared chicken breasts simmered in a rich, creamy garlic Parmesan sauce, all in one skillet. Ready in about 25 minutes.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts sliced in half horizontally
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 5 cloves garlic minced
• ¾ cup low-sodium chicken broth
• ¾ cup heavy cream
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped

Method

 

1. Season the chicken on both sides with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for 4–5 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through (165°F). Transfer to a plate.
3. Reduce the heat to medium. Melt the butter in the skillet, add the garlic, and cook 1 minute, until fragrant.
4. Pour in the broth, scraping up the browned bits, and simmer 2 minutes.
5. Stir in the cream and Parmesan and simmer 3–4 minutes, until slightly thickened.
6. Return the chicken and any juices to the pan and spoon the sauce over it. Simmer 1–2 minutes, garnish with parsley, and serve.

Notes

• Add a handful of spinach or sun-dried tomatoes to the sauce.
• Use half-and-half or evaporated milk for a lighter sauce.
• Chicken thighs work well; cook a few minutes longer.
• Serve over egg noodles for a cozy twist.

What to Serve with It

Garlic Parmesan Buttered Noodles, Creamy Mashed Potatoes or rice, with Lemon Parmesan Roasted Asparagus or steamed broccoli. For a lighter sauce made with yogurt, see Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken (Lightened Up).

Storage and Reheating

• Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days.
• Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of broth to keep the sauce smooth.
• Freezing isn’t recommended, since cream sauces can separate.

Creamy Garlic Chicken Questions

Can I add vegetables?

Yes. Stir a few handfuls of spinach or some sun-dried tomatoes into the sauce before the chicken goes back in.

How do I thicken the sauce?

Simmer it for another minute or two. It also thickens as it cools.