Ingredients
Chicken and Coating
- 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 3 teaspoons Italian seasonings
- ⅓ cup flour
- 4 tablespoons Parmesan cheese (shredded)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
Broth Mixture
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 beef bouillon cube (or 1 teaspoon better than bouillon)
- 1 teaspoon low sodium soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 10 whole cloves garlic
- 3 tablespoons flour
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Prep Work: Combine chicken broth, bouillon cube, soy sauce, onion powder, mustard powder, and dried thyme in a large measuring cup with a spout and set aside. Mix flour and Parmesan cheese on a plate for dredging. Measure out remaining ingredients before starting.
- Prepare the Chicken: Slice chicken breasts in half lengthwise to get 2-3 thin pieces. Cover with plastic wrap and pound to about ½ inch thickness using a meat mallet. Pat the chicken dry completely with paper towels.
- Season and Dredge: Season both sides of the chicken with Italian seasoning and salt and pepper. Dredge each piece in the flour and Parmesan mixture, tapping off any excess coating.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken in batches for 4-5 minutes per side or until a golden crust forms. Remove the chicken and set aside on a plate.
- Make the Garlic Sauce: Lower heat to medium or medium-low and melt butter in the same skillet. Use a silicone spatula to scrape and loosen any browned bits from the pan for flavor. Add whole garlic cloves and cook for 6-7 minutes until softened and caramelized.
- Thicken the Sauce: Sprinkle the flour into the skillet with the garlic. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1-2 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste.
- Add Liquids: Slowly whisk in the chicken broth mixture in several additions, stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Stir in the heavy cream and bring the sauce to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low.
- Finish the Sauce: Gradually stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Simmer Chicken in Sauce: Return the seared chicken and any accumulated juices back to the skillet. Spoon sauce over the chicken. Cover the skillet partially and simmer on low heat for 5 minutes until chicken is cooked through and flavors meld.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped parsley if desired. Serve the creamy garlic chicken hot with mashed potatoes and roasted green beans for a complete meal.
Notes
- To ensure even cooking, pound chicken slices to uniform thickness.
- Caramelizing whole garlic cloves gently adds depth and sweetness to the sauce without overpowering pungency.
- Using low sodium soy sauce and bouillon helps control overall saltiness.
- The optional extra Parmesan cheese in the sauce adds richness but can be omitted to reduce fat.
- Leftover sauce can be refrigerated and warmed gently; add a splash of broth or cream to loosen if thickened.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the creamy garlic sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American