Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Dinner

I made this Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Dinner on a Tuesday because my life is governed by two rules: 1) chicken is 30 minutes away from being dinner, and 2) butter is my coping mechanism. It’s a silky, garlicky sauce that clings to chicken like gossip to a small town—comforting, a little dramatic, and impossible to resist. Try it because it’s fast, forgiving, and tastes like you cooked for a week when you only opened one jar and burned one pan (yes, this pan is too small. No, I won’t wash fewer dishes).

My husband once proudly offered to help with dinner and turned the garlic into “artisan charcoal.” He announced it as a new flavor profile and ate around it while I pretended not to inhale smoke and curse kitchen gods. The kids declared the sauce “mystery soup” and used it as a dipping lab for every vegetable in the fridge. We survived, and by we I mean the chicken survived, the garlic did not. I learned to hide the burnt bits, and they learned to cheer when I didn’t set off the smoke alarm. Progress.

Time-Saving Hacks

– Use pre-minced garlic from a jar. It’s sacrilegious, but also life-saving on Mondays.
– Buy shredded Parmesan (not the block) when you’re pretending you meal-prepped. It melts faster and cleans up like a minimal liar.
– Cook the chicken in a single pan, then make the sauce in the same pan—less dishes, more smugness.
– Use thin-cut chicken breasts or pound them quickly with a heavy pan. Less time cooking, less time pretending you’re patient.
– If you’re REALLY short on time, roast a rotisserie chicken, shred it, and toss it in the sauce. Mother-in-law approved.

Serving Ideas

– Serve over pasta if you want to carbo-load and make everyone happy. Also acceptable: bread to mop the sauce.
– Spoon over mashed potatoes for a cozy hug in a bowl.
– Put it on rice for weeknight diplomacy. Rice keeps the peace.
– Serve with wine if the kids drove you nuts; a sparkling soda if you’re masquerading as responsible.
– Keep it simple: a green salad and this chicken = pretend health.

What to Serve It With

– Steamed broccoli (because vegetables deserve love too).
– Garlic bread for those who believe bread is a food group.
– Quick sautéed spinach for color and culinary virtue signaling.

✔Tips & Mistakes

– Don’t crowd the pan when searing chicken. If you do, it’ll steam and sulk instead of getting that golden crust.
– Taste the sauce before you call it done. Parmesan varies—some are salty, some are shy. Adjust with pepper, lemon, or a tiny sprinkle of salt.
– If your sauce splits, whisk in a spoonful of cold cream or a splash of milk off the heat to bring it back from the brink.
Pro tip: Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking so the juices stop dramatic weeping when you cut into it.

✔Storage Tips

Store it in the fridge… if there’s any left. Cold midnight leftovers? Sometimes better than fresh.
– Keep in an airtight container up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently on low heat with a splash of milk or cream to revive the sauce.
– Freezing is possible but the texture of the sauce changes—still tasty, but slightly more “pantry nostalgia.”

✔Variations and Substitutions

Swap whatever you want—sugar ↔ honey, soy sauce ↔ tamari, or skip steps and call it “deconstructed.” It still counts.
– Make it lemony: add a squeeze of lemon and zest for brightness.
– Add mushrooms or sun-dried tomatoes for a flavor upgrade that makes you look like you planned ahead.
– Use Greek yogurt instead of cream if you’re pretending to be healthy—warm slowly to avoid curdling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Dinner

Deliciously rich and creamy garlic parmesan chicken served with a side of veggies.

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Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 120kcal

Ingredients

 

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Main Ingredients

• ▢ 1.2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into strips
• ▢ 1 cup heavy cream for the sauce
• ▢ 0.5 cup parmesan cheese freshly grated
• ▢ 3 cloves garlic minced
• ▢ 2 tbsp olive oil for cooking
• ▢ 1 tsp dried Italian herbs or Italian seasoning
• ▢ 0.5 tsp salt to taste
• ▢ 0.5 tsp black pepper to taste
• ▢ 1 cup fresh spinach or other greens

Instructions

Preparation Steps

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add chicken strips and cook until golden brown, about 6-8 minutes.
• Add minced garlic to the pan and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
• Pour in the heavy cream and stir in the parmesan cheese until smooth.
• Add dried herbs, salt, and pepper; simmer for 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
• Stir in fresh spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes.
• Serve immediately, drizzling with additional cheese if desired.

Notes

This dish pairs wonderfully with pasta or a fresh salad for a complete meal!