Description
This Creamy Garlic Chicken recipe features tender, juicy boneless skinless chicken thighs seared to golden perfection and simmered in a rich, flavorful garlic cream sauce enhanced with parmesan and fresh cilantro. It’s a comforting and elegant dish perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a special occasion.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Chicken
- 1.5 pound chicken thighs, boneless and skinless
- 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
Garlic Cream Sauce
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil (for frying the chicken)
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 cup half &; half (can substitute with 1 cup milk or chicken broth)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 12-20 sprigs cilantro, finely minced
Instructions
- Season Chicken: Pat chicken thighs dry with a paper towel to remove moisture for better searing. Mix salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and cumin in a bowl. Season both sides of the chicken evenly with this spice mixture. Mince garlic and finely chop fresh cilantro for later use.
- Cook Chicken: Heat a pan or pot over medium-high heat until hot and slightly smoking. Add neutral oil, then place chicken thighs in the pan. Cook for 4-5 minutes on one side until golden brown, then flip and cook for 2-3 minutes on the other side. Once browned, transfer chicken to a separate plate and reduce heat to low.
- Make Creamy Garlic Sauce: Add unsalted butter and minced garlic to the pan. Sauté garlic for about one minute until fragrant. Pour in half & half slowly while stirring occasionally. Add shredded parmesan cheese and stir gently to melt the cheese, keeping the heat low to prevent curdling. When the sauce thickens, return chicken along with any accumulated juices to the pan. Cook together for 1 minute to combine flavors. Finally, garnish with minced fresh cilantro before serving.
Notes
- If substituting half & half with milk or chicken broth, the sauce will be thinner and less creamy.
- Dry the chicken thoroughly before cooking to achieve a perfect sear.
- Don’t discard the brown bits left in the pan after cooking the chicken; scrape them into the sauce for added flavor.
- Keep the heat low when cooking the cream sauce to prevent curdling of dairy.
- Use fresh parmesan or parmigiano-reggiano for best flavor in the cream sauce.
- Consider adding vegetables like spinach or mushrooms to make it a complete one-pot meal.
- Fresh herbs such as cilantro or basil enhance the dish’s flavor beautifully.
