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Creamy Garlic Chicken Recipe

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3.9 from 63 reviews

This Creamy Garlic Chicken recipe features tender boneless, skinless chicken thighs seared to golden perfection and smothered in a rich, flavorful garlic and parmesan cream sauce, finished with fresh cilantro for a vibrant touch. Ready in just 20 minutes, it's an easy yet indulgent dish perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a special meal.

Ingredients

Chicken and Seasoning

  • 1.5 pounds chicken thighs (boneless and skinless)
  • 1½ teaspoons salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • 1 tablespoon neutral oil (for frying the chicken)

Creamy Garlic Sauce

  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 4 garlic cloves (minced)
  • 1 cup half & half
  • ¼ cup shredded parmesan cheese
  • 12-20 sprigs cilantro (finely minced)

Instructions

  1. Season Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to remove moisture, which helps achieve a good sear. In a small bowl, mix together salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and cumin. Sprinkle this seasoning evenly over both sides of the chicken thighs.
  2. Cook Chicken: Heat a pan or pot over medium-high heat until a bit of smoke appears. Add the neutral oil, then place the chicken thighs in the pan. Cook undisturbed for 4-5 minutes on one side until golden brown. Flip and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the other side is also golden and the chicken is almost cooked through. Remove chicken from the pan and set aside on a separate plate. Reduce the heat to low.
  3. Make Creamy Garlic Sauce: Add the butter to the pan along with the minced garlic. Sauté for about one minute until fragrant. Slowly pour in the half & half, stirring occasionally to combine with the garlic butter. Stir in the shredded parmesan cheese, continuing to cook on low heat while stirring occasionally to avoid the sauce curdling. Once the cheese has melted and the sauce thickens, return the chicken along with any accumulated juices to the pan. Cook everything together for 1 minute to meld the flavors.
  4. Finish and Serve: Remove the pan from heat and sprinkle the finely minced fresh cilantro over the chicken and sauce. Serve hot, ensuring each serving has a generous amount of creamy garlic sauce and fresh cilantro garnish.

Notes

  • Patting the chicken dry is essential to get a good golden sear.
  • Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point such as canola or vegetable oil to avoid burning.
  • Keep the heat low when making the cream sauce to prevent curdling.
  • Freshly minced cilantro adds a bright, fresh finish to the rich sauce.
  • Half & half can be substituted with heavy cream for a richer sauce or whole milk for a lighter version.

Find it online: https://recipethrive.com/creamy-garlic-chicken-recipe-2/