If you’re craving a comforting dish that’s rich, flavorful, and surprisingly easy to whip up, this Creamy Chicken Breast Recipe is exactly what you need. Tender chicken cutlets bathed in a luscious, velvety sauce infused with garlic, onions, and just the right touch of seasoning make every bite feel like pure indulgence. Whether you’re cooking for family or friends, this creamy chicken will quickly become a cherished favorite on your dinner table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These straightforward, pantry-friendly ingredients come together to create an irresistible dish. Each element plays a crucial role in building flavor layers and delivering that signature creamy texture.
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts: The star protein, offering lean and tender meat perfect for soaking up the creamy sauce.
- 2 tablespoons butter: Adds rich flavor and helps develop a golden crust on the chicken.
- ½ medium onion, finely diced: Brings a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor to the sauce.
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic: Infuses the dish with a fragrant punch that complements the creaminess perfectly.
- 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning: A blend of herbs that elevates the savory profile of the chicken.
- 2 cups milk: Forms the creamy base of the sauce, balancing the seasoning and making the dish irresistibly smooth.
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch: The secret thickener that helps the sauce cling beautifully to the chicken.
- 1 ½ tablespoons water: Combined with cornstarch to create the perfect slurry for thickening.
- Salt and pepper, to taste: Essential for seasoning the chicken and enhancing all the flavors in the dish.
How to Make Creamy Chicken Breast Recipe
Step 1: Prepare and Season the Chicken
Start by slicing each chicken breast in half to create thinner cutlets, which helps them cook quickly and evenly. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper to enhance their natural flavor before cooking.
Step 2: Brown the Chicken
Melt the butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken cutlets and cook for about 5 minutes on each side until they develop a beautiful, golden-brown crust. This step locks in flavor and texture. After browning, remove the chicken and set it aside to rest for now.
Step 3: Sauté Aromatics
Lower the heat to medium and toss the diced onions into the skillet. Cook until they turn translucent, which releases their natural sweetness and tenderizes their texture. Scrape up any brown bits stuck to the pan, as they add an extra punch of flavor. Add the minced garlic next and cook for another two minutes, stirring regularly so the garlic doesn’t burn. Finally, stir in the poultry seasoning to bring all these flavors together.
Step 4: Create the Creamy Sauce
Pour the milk directly into the skillet, stirring to blend it with the flavorful base. In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water to make a smooth slurry, then whisk this into the skillet. Turn up the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Whisk continuously until the sauce thickens perfectly, becoming silky and luscious.
Step 5: Simmer the Chicken in Sauce
Return the browned chicken cutlets to the skillet, nestling them into the creamy sauce. Reduce the heat back to medium and let everything simmer gently for about 10 minutes. This step ensures the chicken cooks through fully while soaking up the rich flavors of the sauce, resulting in juicy, tender bites.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Once the chicken is cooked to perfection and nestled in that creamy sauce, it’s time to serve. Spoon the chicken and sauce over fluffy rice, tender noodles, or your favorite veggies for a complete, satisfying meal.
How to Serve Creamy Chicken Breast Recipe
Garnishes
Add a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or chives to brighten the dish visually and add a hint of fresh herbal flavor. A little cracked black pepper on top also complements the creamy sauce beautifully.
Side Dishes
This Creamy Chicken Breast Recipe pairs wonderfully with simple sides like garlic mashed potatoes, steamed green beans, or buttered egg noodles. The creamy sauce is so delicious it can even double as a gravy for your sides.
Creative Ways to Present
For a stunning presentation, serve the chicken over a bed of vibrant sautéed spinach or roasted seasonal vegetables. Drizzle extra sauce artistically around the plate and add a wedge of lemon on the side to offer a citrusy burst that contrasts beautifully with the richness of the dish.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place any leftover creamy chicken in an airtight container and refrigerate. It will stay fresh and delicious for up to 3 days, making it a perfect meal to enjoy the next day with minimal effort.
Freezing
If you want to save the dish for longer, you can freeze it in a sealed container for up to 2 months. Just make sure to cool the creamy chicken completely before freezing to preserve the texture and flavor.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm the creamy chicken over low heat on the stovetop, stirring occasionally to prevent the sauce from separating. Alternatively, microwave in short bursts while stirring between intervals until heated through for a quick and easy meal.
FAQs
Can I use cream instead of milk for this recipe?
Absolutely! Using cream will make the sauce even richer and thicker, but keep in mind it will increase the calorie content. You can also use half-and-half for a nice balance of creaminess.
What type of poultry seasoning works best?
Most store-bought poultry seasoning blends work well, typically containing sage, thyme, rosemary, and marjoram. Using high-quality, fresh seasoning will lend the best flavor to your creamy chicken.
Is it necessary to brown the chicken first?
Yes, browning is essential to develop flavor and texture. It creates a caramelized crust that adds depth and prevents the chicken from tasting bland in the final dish.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
You can substitute milk with unsweetened almond milk or coconut milk, and use dairy-free butter alternatives. Be sure to check the cornstarch slurry consistency as plant-based milks sometimes behave differently when thickened.
How thick should the sauce be?
The sauce should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon and cling to the chicken pieces without being gloopy. Adjust thickness by adding more milk or slurry as needed during cooking.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Chicken Breast Recipe is a heartfelt classic that’s bound to become a staple in your kitchen. It’s the kind of dish that feels like a warm hug on a plate—simple to prepare yet full of richness and comfort. Give it a try, and soon you’ll find yourself reaching for this recipe time and time again. Happy cooking!
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Creamy Chicken Breast Recipe
- Prep Time: 8 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 43 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Creamy Chicken Breast recipe features tender, pan-seared chicken cutlets smothered in a rich and velvety homemade milk-based sauce with savory poultry seasoning and garlic. Perfect for a comforting family dinner, the chicken is browned to a beautiful golden finish and simmered in a thickened creamy sauce, making it an ideal dish to serve over rice, noodles, or alongside your favorite vegetables.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ½ medium onion, finely diced
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
- 2 cups milk
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 ½ tablespoons water
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Cut each chicken breast in half to create thinner cutlets. Season both sides evenly with salt and pepper to enhance the flavor before cooking.
- Brown the chicken: Melt the butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken cutlets and cook for about 5 minutes on each side until nicely browned. Once browned, remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics: Reduce the heat to medium and add the diced onions to the skillet. Cook until they become translucent, stirring occasionally and scraping up any browned bits from the pan to incorporate flavor. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 2 minutes, then stir in the poultry seasoning to infuse the sauce base.
- Make the sauce: Pour the milk into the skillet and stir to combine with the onions and seasonings. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water to form a slurry. Add this slurry to the skillet and whisk continuously while increasing the heat to medium-high. Bring the mixture to a simmer, whisking constantly until the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Simmer chicken in sauce: Return the browned chicken to the pan, reduce the heat back to medium, and simmer for 10 minutes. This allows the chicken to cook through fully while absorbing the flavors of the creamy sauce.
- Serve: Plate the creamy chicken breasts with your choice of rice, noodles, or vegetables for a complete and comforting meal.
Notes
- For extra richness, substitute half of the milk with heavy cream.
- You can add chopped fresh parsley or thyme to the sauce for added herbaceous flavor.
- Ensure the chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) for safety.
- The sauce thickens as it simmers; adjust thickness by adding more milk if necessary.
- This recipe pairs well with steamed green beans, roasted broccoli, or buttered noodles.
