One Pan Creamy Garlic Chicken: Your Go-To 15-Minute Keto & Low-Carb Weeknight Dinner
Are you constantly searching for delicious, homemade dinner ideas that don’t eat into your precious evening hours? Look no further! This **One Pan Creamy Garlic Chicken** is about to become your new weeknight hero. Imagine a savory, decadent meal that’s not only incredibly flavorful but also ready in under 15 minutes from start to finish. Yes, you read that right – less than 15 minutes! Crafted with just 5 simple ingredients, this recipe promises a stress-free cooking experience and a truly satisfying dish that’s perfect for any busy schedule.
We all know the struggle: you get home after a long day, tired and hungry, and the idea of cooking a homemade meal seems daunting. The clock ticks, and suddenly, ordering takeout feels like the only viable option. But what if I told you that a gourmet-tasting, healthy, and wholesome dinner could be on your table faster than a pizza delivery? This creamy garlic chicken recipe makes it not just possible, but incredibly easy to whip up a fantastic meal in a flash.
This recipe isn’t just fast; it’s also incredibly versatile and accommodating to various dietary needs. It’s naturally **keto-friendly**, **low-carb**, and **completely gluten-free**, making it an excellent choice for anyone following these lifestyles. The secret to its lightning-fast cooking time lies in preparing the chicken breasts into thinner cutlets, which takes a mere minute but shaves significant time off your cooking. A quick sear on each side, and you’re halfway to a sensational meal! Plus, with minimal cleanup thanks to its one-pan nature, you’ll have more time to relax and enjoy your evening.
Forget about complicated steps, multiple pots and pans, or relying on heavily processed, pre-made sauces. This dish uses simple, fresh ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry or can easily find at any grocery store. During the short time your chicken is sizzling to perfection, you’ll have ample opportunity to whip up a quick and healthy side dish. My Instant Pot frozen broccoli is a fantastic, hands-off option, or you could opt for a simple tossed salad or some fresh crudités. Let’s dive in and transform your weeknight dinners from a chore into a joy!
Why You’ll Love This One Pan Creamy Garlic Chicken
This recipe isn’t just another dinner idea; it’s a solution for busy lives that refuses to compromise on flavor or health. Here’s precisely why you’ll want to add this creamy garlic chicken to your regular rotation:
- Unbeatable Speed: Seriously, 15 minutes! From initial preparation to serving, this meal is expertly designed for speed demons and hungry families who need dinner on the table ASAP.
- Minimal Cleanup: As the name proudly declares, it’s a “one pan” wonder, which translates directly into significantly fewer dishes to wash after dinner. Enjoy your meal, not the chore of scrubbing pans!
- Diet-Friendly: This recipe is naturally keto, low-carb, and completely gluten-free, making it an ideal choice that effortlessly caters to a wide range of dietary preferences and needs without requiring complex substitutions or ingredient sourcing.
- Simple, Accessible Ingredients: Requiring just 5 core ingredients means less time spent at the grocery store and more time cooking with familiar staples you likely already have on hand.
- Incredible & Decadent Flavor: Prepare for a flavor explosion! This dish is rich, savory, and bursting with the aromatic goodness of fresh garlic. The velvety, creamy sauce perfectly coats every piece of tender, juicy chicken breast, creating a truly satisfying culinary experience.
- Highly Versatile: Its simple base makes it incredibly adaptable. Easily customize this dish with various side options and exciting flavor variations to keep your meals fresh and prevent dinner boredom.
- Health-Conscious Choice: Despite its rich taste, this recipe is packed with protein and healthy fats, providing a wholesome and filling meal that fits into a healthy lifestyle.
It’s the perfect answer for those evenings when you crave a wholesome, satisfying meal but are genuinely short on time and energy, offering maximum flavor with minimum fuss.
Essential Ingredients for Your Creamy Garlic Chicken
Despite its rich and complex taste, this exquisite dish relies on a surprisingly short list of common, high-quality ingredients. The simplicity means that the freshness and quality of each component truly shine through, so make sure to choose the best you can find.
- Chicken Breast: You’ll need about 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts. The critical technique here is to slice them horizontally into thinner cutlets (approximately ½ inch thick), effectively yielding 4 pieces. This seemingly small step dramatically reduces cooking time, ensures the chicken cooks through evenly, and results in perfectly tender, moist chicken every time.
- Fresh Garlic: The undeniable star and namesake of our creamy sauce! You’ll need about 4-5 cloves, finely minced. It is absolutely crucial to use fresh garlic, as its pungent, sweet aroma and robust flavor are irreplaceable. Pre-minced jarred garlic or garlic powder simply won’t deliver the same vibrant, authentic taste that elevates this dish from good to truly exceptional.
- Butter: Butter serves multiple vital roles in this recipe. It provides a rich, savory fat for perfectly browning the chicken, which adds depth of flavor, and it forms the luxurious foundation for our creamy sauce. Using good quality salted butter enhances the overall savoriness, but unsalted is also suitable if you prefer precise control over the salt content.
- Heavy Cream: This is the magic ingredient that transforms simple pan drippings into a decadent, velvety sauce without the need for a flour-based roux. Heavy cream is inherently low-carb and gluten-free, making it the perfect base for our keto-friendly sauce. It thickens beautifully as it gently simmers, creating a luscious coating that clings to every piece of chicken.
- Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper: These fundamental seasonings are indispensable for enhancing the natural flavors of the chicken and balancing the richness of the sauce. A generous sprinkle on both sides of the chicken cutlets before cooking will ensure they are seasoned through and through. Always taste and adjust to your personal preference.
- Fresh Parsley (Optional Garnish): While optional, a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley at the very end adds a vibrant pop of color and a subtle, herbaceous freshness that brightens the entire dish and makes it visually appealing.
How to Make Quick & Easy Creamy Garlic Chicken: Step-by-Step
Preparing this dish is wonderfully straightforward and incredibly quick, making it an ideal choice for even the most hectic of evenings. Follow these detailed yet simple steps for a consistently mouthwatering meal.
Step 1: Prepare Your Chicken Cutlets and Season
To begin, we’ll transform your standard chicken breasts into quick-cooking cutlets. Lay each large boneless, skinless chicken breast flat on a sturdy cutting board. Using a very sharp knife, carefully slice through the thickest part of the breast horizontally, creating two thinner pieces of chicken from each original breast. This technique, also known as butterflying and then separating, significantly reduces the cooking time and helps the chicken cook more evenly, preventing dry spots. Once sliced into four cutlets, **generously sprinkle both sides of each chicken piece with salt and freshly ground black pepper.** Set them aside while you prepare your skillet and precisely mince your garlic. This initial seasoning is key to building flavor from the ground up.
Step 2: Perfectly Sear the Chicken to Golden Perfection
Place a heavy-bottomed skillet or a Dutch oven (like my favorite one here!) over medium heat. It’s essential to allow the pan to heat thoroughly before adding any ingredients; this is crucial for achieving a beautiful, golden-brown sear and preventing the chicken from sticking. Once the pan is hot, add 3 tablespoons of the butter to the skillet and let it melt completely, swirling it around to evenly coat the bottom surface.
Carefully place the seasoned chicken cutlets in a single layer in the hot skillet. It’s important to avoid overcrowding the pan, as this can lower the pan’s temperature and cause the chicken to steam rather than sear, resulting in a less desirable texture. Cook for **4-5 minutes** on the first side until a deep golden-brown crust has formed. Using tongs, carefully flip each chicken cutlet and **cook for an additional 3-5 minutes** on the second side, or until the internal temperature reaches a minimum of 165ºF (74ºC) at its thickest part. This ensures the chicken is fully cooked, safe to eat, and wonderfully juicy. Once cooked, remove the chicken breasts from the skillet and transfer them to a clean plate. Tent them loosely with foil to keep them warm and allow them to rest while you prepare the irresistible sauce.
Step 3: Craft the Irresistible Creamy Garlic Sauce
This is where the core flavors of the dish truly come alive! Remove the skillet from the heat source temporarily. This step is crucial to prevent the garlic from burning, which can happen very quickly in a hot pan. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter to the still-warm pan and swirl it with a wooden spoon until it melts. Immediately add the finely minced garlic cloves to the melted butter. Sauté the garlic for just **30 seconds to 1 minute, or until it becomes wonderfully fragrant.** Watch it with extreme vigilance; garlic can burn in an instant and become bitter if overcooked.
Without any delay, **pour in the heavy cream.** As you add the cream, actively use the bottom of your wooden spoon to vigorously **scrape up any browned bits (known as ‘fond’) from the bottom of the pan.** This process, known as deglazing, is absolutely vital for the sauce’s depth of flavor. Those caramelized bits are packed with incredible savory nuances from the seared chicken, and incorporating them into your cream sauce will significantly deepen its richness, complexity, and color, making it truly amazing and restaurant-quality.
Step 4: Thicken the Sauce and Combine with Chicken
Return the skillet to medium-low heat. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and let it cook for **1-2 minutes**, stirring frequently and continuing to scrape the bottom of the skillet. The sauce will gradually thicken to a luscious, spoon-coating consistency. If your stove temperature is a bit lower, it might take a minute or two longer to reach the desired thickness, so be patient and let it gently bubble. You’re looking for a rich sauce that clings beautifully to the back of a spoon.
Once the sauce has reached your desired thickness, remove the skillet from the heat. Gently **add the cooked chicken breasts back into the skillet.** Spoon the rich, creamy garlic sauce generously over each piece of chicken, or gently toss them to ensure they are fully coated in the velvety goodness. This final step brings all the perfectly cooked elements together for a cohesive and intensely flavorful dish.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve Immediately
For a beautiful presentation and a burst of fresh flavor, garnish your One Pan Creamy Garlic Chicken with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley, if desired. The bright green color provides a lovely contrast to the creamy sauce. Serve this magnificent meal immediately, perhaps with your chosen side dish, and savor the rich, quick, and satisfying flavors you’ve created in mere minutes!
Expert Tips and Tricks for Unforgettable Results
While this creamy garlic chicken recipe is designed for simplicity and speed, a few expert tips can elevate your dish from great to truly unforgettable and ensure flawless execution every time. Pay attention to these nuances for the best possible outcome:
- Always Use Fresh Garlic Cloves: This cannot be stressed enough for a dish where garlic is the star. Minced fresh garlic provides a pungent, sweet, and aromatic flavor that is foundational to this recipe’s success. Pre-minced jarred garlic often contains preservatives that can give it a muted or even slightly bitter taste. Garlic powder, while convenient, lacks the vibrant complexity needed here. Take the extra minute to mince fresh cloves; it genuinely makes all the difference.
- Have Your Heavy Cream Measured and Ready: Garlic cooks and burns incredibly quickly, especially in a hot pan. Once you add the minced garlic to the melted butter, you’ll have a very narrow window of about 30 seconds to 1 minute before it turns golden and fragrant. It is absolutely critical to have your heavy cream measured out and positioned right next to your stovetop, ready to pour in immediately after the garlic is fragrant. Hesitation can lead to burnt, bitter garlic, which will negatively impact the entire sauce.
- Master the Chicken Cutlet Slice: Slicing thicker boneless, skinless chicken breasts horizontally into thinner cutlets (roughly ½ inch thick) is a cornerstone of this recipe’s rapid cooking time and ensures even doneness. This technique prevents the chicken from drying out on the outside while the inside struggles to cook. As an added benefit, it helps stretch two chicken breasts into four satisfying servings. If you’re new to this technique, this comprehensive tutorial from Serious Eats provides excellent visual guidance.
- Don’t Skip Deglazing the Pan: While traditional deglazing often involves wine or broth, for this creamy garlic sauce, we effectively deglaze the pan with heavy cream. The delicious, browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan after searing the chicken are called ‘fond,’ and they are packed with intensely rich, caramelized flavor. Scraping them up vigorously with your wooden spoon and stirring them into the simmering heavy cream adds incredible depth, complexity, and a beautiful golden hue to your sauce, making it far more flavorful than a sauce made in a clean pan. This step is a flavor powerhouse!
- Watch the Garlic Closely (Again!): It’s worth repeating: garlic has a very narrow window between perfectly fragrant and unpleasantly burned. It should only cook for a maximum of 30 seconds to 1 minute on medium-low heat. If you detect a bitter taste in your sauce, it’s a strong indicator that the garlic was overcooked. Stay attentive by the pan during this critical step and be prepared to add the cream swiftly.
- Use a Quality Heavy-Bottomed Skillet: A good quality, heavy-bottomed skillet (such as cast iron, stainless steel, or a Dutch oven) is indispensable for this recipe. It distributes heat much more evenly than thin pans, which is essential for properly searing the chicken to get that beautiful crust without burning, and for developing that desirable ‘fond’ without scorching. Thin pans can lead to hotspots and uneven cooking.
- Adjust Seasoning to Taste: Always taste your sauce before combining it with the chicken. This is your opportunity to fine-tune the flavors. You might want to add a pinch more salt, pepper, or even a tiny bit of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick. Remember, you can always add more seasoning, but you can’t easily take it away!
- Storing and Reheating Leftovers: This dish makes excellent leftovers! Store any uneaten portions in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, gently warm in a skillet over low heat until heated through, or use a microwave. If the sauce has thickened too much upon reheating, you can add a splash of heavy cream or chicken broth to loosen it back to your desired consistency.
Delicious Variations and Clever Substitutions
While the classic One Pan Creamy Garlic Chicken is a star on its own, its simple yet robust base makes it a fantastic canvas for various flavor explorations. Don’t hesitate to get creative and customize this dish to your liking with these delicious twists!
Keto/Low Carb/Gluten Free: The recipe as written is perfectly balanced for keto, low-carb, and gluten-free diets, so no adjustments are needed here – enjoy this healthy and flavorful meal exactly as it is!
More Flavorful Options to Try
I’ve experimented with many delightful additions to this easy skillet chicken recipe, and I’m excited to share some of my favorite variations. These adjustments keep dinner interesting, delicious, and perfectly suited for any palate:
- Mushroom Chicken: For mushroom lovers, this earthy variation is an absolute must-try. Reduce the minced garlic to just 1 clove. After removing the seared chicken from the pan, add ½ pound of sliced mushrooms to the skillet along with the garlic. Sauté them together until the mushrooms are tender, browned, and have released their moisture. Then, stir in the heavy cream and allow the sauce to thicken before returning the chicken to the pan. The rich, umami flavor of mushrooms complements the creamy garlic sauce beautifully.
- Rosé Chicken: Add a touch of elegance and a vibrant color to your dish with this delightful version. Use 2 cloves of minced garlic and, at the same time as the garlic, stir in 2-3 tablespoons of good quality tomato paste. Sauté the tomato paste briefly with the garlic until it deepens in color and becomes fragrant. Then, proceed with stirring in the heavy cream and simmering. Once served, sprinkle generously with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a vibrant amount of minced fresh parsley for a stunning finish.
- Red Pepper Chicken: Infuse your dish with the smoky sweetness and mild spice of roasted red peppers. Reduce the garlic to 2-3 cloves to allow the pepper flavor to shine. After the creamy sauce has thickened, stir in about ½ cup of finely chopped roasted red peppers (easily found in a jar, drained and patted dry, or you can roast your own). The combination is incredibly flavorful and adds a beautiful, warm hue to the sauce. For a full breakdown, you can find the detailed recipe instructions in my specific post for Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Chicken.
- Lemon Herb Chicken: For a lighter, brighter, and more aromatic flavor profile, add a generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice (1-2 tablespoons) to the sauce after it thickens, along with 1-2 tablespoons of finely chopped fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, oregano, or a mix of Italian herbs. The citrus and fresh herbs provide a delightful counterpoint to the richness of the cream, making the dish feel fresh and vibrant.
- Spicy Creamy Chicken: If you love a little heat to awaken your palate, incorporate ¼ to ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes when you sauté the garlic. This will infuse the sauce with a pleasant warmth that enhances the other flavors without overpowering them. Adjust the quantity of red pepper flakes based on your desired level of spice.
How to Serve Your Delicious Creamy Garlic Chicken
This incredibly versatile creamy garlic chicken pairs wonderfully with a wide variety of sides, whether you’re aiming for a comforting, classic meal or a lighter, health-conscious option. The rich sauce is designed to be a perfect complement to many accompaniments. Here are some popular and delicious serving suggestions:
- Fluffy Cooked Rice: The creamy sauce is absolutely perfect for soaking into fluffy white, brown, or even wild rice, creating a comforting and complete meal.
- Hot Cooked Pasta: For a more indulgent and classic pairing, toss your creamy garlic chicken with your favorite hot cooked pasta. Fettuccine, linguine, or penne are excellent choices that hold the sauce beautifully.
- Creamy Mashed Potatoes: A quintessential comfort food pairing, mashed potatoes provide a velvety, starchy base that perfectly absorbs and complements the rich garlic cream sauce.
- Steamed or Roasted Vegetables: Fresh steamed or roasted vegetables like broccoli, green beans, asparagus, or a colorful medley add essential nutrients, vibrant color, and a pleasant textural contrast to the dish. Using the Instant Pot for frozen broccoli makes this healthy side incredibly fast and easy.
- Crusty Bread or Warm Dinner Rolls: Don’t let any of that delicious sauce go to waste! Crusty bread or warm dinner rolls are ideal for dipping and soaking up every last drop of the creamy goodness.
- Flaky Biscuits: Homemade or store-bought flaky biscuits offer another delicious way to enjoy the rich sauce, adding a comforting, buttery element to your meal.
- Simple Tossed Salad: A fresh, crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette provides a refreshing and tangy contrast to the richness of the creamy chicken, cleansing the palate with every bite.
Keto and Low Carb Serving Options:
If you’re maintaining specific dietary goals, these excellent low-carb and keto-friendly accompaniments will ensure your meal remains compliant and equally delicious:
- Cauliflower Rice: An outstanding low-carb alternative to traditional rice, cauliflower rice perfectly absorbs the creamy sauce, making for a satisfying and diet-friendly base.
- Mashed Cauliflower: A wonderfully creamy, smooth, and comforting substitute for mashed potatoes, delivering a similar texture and warmth without the carbohydrates.
- Steamed Broccoli: Simple, quick, and a fantastic source of fiber and vitamins, steamed broccoli is a classic and healthy pairing that complements the rich sauce well.
- Roasted or Sautéed Green Beans: Tender-crisp green beans, either roasted with a hint of garlic or quickly sautéed, make a delightful and easy side dish that is both nutritious and flavorful.
- Other Steamed or Roasted Low-Carb Veggies: Explore other non-starchy vegetables such as asparagus, zucchini noodles, sautéed spinach, or bell pepper strips. These options are light, healthy, and blend seamlessly with the creamy chicken.
More Delicious Low Carb Dinner Ideas to Explore
If you loved the incredible ease, speed, and flavor of this One Pan Creamy Garlic Chicken, then you’ll undoubtedly want to explore these other fantastic low-carb dinner recipes. Expand your repertoire of healthy, quick, and satisfying meals that make weeknights a breeze!
- Creamy Red Pepper Chicken
- Air Fryer Rotisserie Style Whole Chicken
- Air Fryer Sausage and Peppers
- Instant Pot Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls
- Low Carb Chicken Parmesan – Cafe Delights
One Pan Creamy Garlic Chicken
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Equipment
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Heavy-Bottomed Skillet
Ingredients
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts split in half widthwise (approximately 1 pound total, yielding 4 cutlets)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 4 tablespoons salted butter divided
- 5 cloves fresh garlic peeled and finely minced
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- Fresh chopped parsley for garnish (optional, but highly recommended for freshness)
Instructions
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Prepare the Chicken: Slice each large chicken breast horizontally in half to create two thinner cutlets (yielding 4 total). Season both sides generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
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Heat Skillet: Place a heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat and allow it to heat thoroughly until hot.
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Melt Butter: Add 3 tablespoons of the butter to the hot skillet and swirl until completely melted and lightly bubbling.
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Sear Chicken: Place the chicken cutlets in a single layer in the skillet, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Sear for 4-5 minutes on one side until deeply golden brown and a crust forms.
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Finish Cooking Chicken: Flip the chicken breasts with tongs and cook for another 3-5 minutes on the second side, or until each chicken breast reaches a minimum internal temperature of 165ºF (74ºC).
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Rest Chicken: Remove the fully cooked chicken breasts from the skillet and transfer them to a clean plate. Tent loosely with foil to keep warm and allow them to rest.
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Sauté Garlic: Remove the skillet from the heat source. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and swirl to melt. Immediately add the finely minced garlic cloves and sauté for a very brief 30 seconds to 1 minute, just until fragrant (watch closely to prevent burning!).
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Deglaze with Cream: Immediately pour in the heavy cream. Use the bottom of your wooden spoon to vigorously scrape up all the flavorful browned bits (fond) from the bottom of the pan and stir them into the cream.
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Thicken Sauce: Return the skillet to medium-low heat. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer for 1-2 minutes, stirring and scraping the bottom, until the sauce has thickened to a luscious, spoon-coating consistency.
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Combine & Serve: Remove the sauce from the heat and add the rested chicken breasts back into the skillet. Spoon the sauce generously over them, or gently toss to ensure they are thoroughly coated. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired, and serve your delicious One Pan Creamy Garlic Chicken immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
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