🍗🧄 Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken Dinner
🍽 Description:
This dish is pure comfort on a plate! Tender, juicy chicken breasts are pan-seared and simmered in a luscious garlic butter cream sauce with a bright splash of lemon. It’s quick enough for a weeknight meal but elegant enough for guests.
📝 Ingredients:
- 2 chicken breasts, sliced into thin fillets or bite-size pieces
- 2 tbsp butter (unsalted preferred)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ cup heavy cream (or full-fat coconut cream for dairy-free)
- 1 tsp lemon juice (fresh-squeezed preferred)
- Optional: Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
🍳 Instructions:
- Season Chicken:
Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. - Sear the Chicken:
In a large skillet, melt 1 tbsp of the butter over medium heat.
Add the chicken and cook 4–5 minutes per side (or until golden and cooked through). Remove and set aside. - Make the Sauce:
In the same pan, add remaining 1 tbsp butter and minced garlic.
Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant (don’t brown the garlic!). - Add Cream & Lemon:
Pour in the cream and lemon juice. Stir and simmer on low for 2–3 minutes, allowing the sauce to slightly thicken. - Combine & Serve:
Return the chicken to the pan and coat it in the creamy sauce. Let it simmer together for another 2 minutes. - Garnish & Serve Hot:
Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve with rice, mashed potatoes, pasta, or crusty bread.
👩🍳 Notes & Tips:
- Slice chicken evenly to ensure even cooking.
- Want a deeper flavor? Deglaze the pan with a splash of white wine before adding cream.
- Use half-and-half for a lighter version, or coconut cream for dairy-free.
- Add sautéed mushrooms or spinach for a veggie boost.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
🍴 Servings:
Serves 2–3
Perfect for dinner for two or a small family meal.
🔢 Nutritional Info (Per Serving, Approximate):
- Calories: 420–470 kcal
- Protein: 28g
- Fat: 34g
- Carbs: 3g
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Cholesterol: 130mg
Note: Can vary slightly based on cream used and size of chicken breasts.
🌟 Health Benefits:
- High in lean protein
- Garlic provides immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties
- Lemon juice aids digestion and balances the richness
- Easily adaptable for low-carb or keto diets
❓Q & A
Q: Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
A: Absolutely! Thighs are juicy and flavorful—just increase cook time slightly.
Q: Can I make this dairy-free?
A: Yes! Substitute butter with vegan butter and cream with full-fat coconut cream or oat cream.
Q: What can I serve this with?
A: Great with rice, mashed potatoes, pasta, roasted veggies, or crusty bread.
Q: Can I make it ahead?
A: Yes. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove—add a splash of cream if needed to rehydrate the sauce.
Would you like a printable version, low-fat variation, or side dish pairing ideas next?