Cream Cheese Chicken Recipe
Cream Cheese Chicken is a quick and comforting dish featuring tender chicken breasts smothered in a rich, creamy sauce made from cream cheese, garlic, and chicken broth. Perfect for busy weeknights, this easy recipe uses minimal ingredients yet delivers a versatile, family-friendly meal with endless variations to suit your taste.
- Author: Julia
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Chicken and Main Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
Seasonings and Herbs
- Salt (to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
- Optional herbs: fresh thyme or parsley for garnish
- Prepare the Chicken: Season chicken breasts on both sides with salt and pepper. Heat butter or olive oil in a pan over medium heat, then sear the chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 4-6 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Create the Creamy Sauce: In the same pan, sauté minced garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add the softened cream cheese and gently stir as it melts. Slowly incorporate the chicken broth, stirring continuously until the sauce is smooth and creamy, infused with garlic flavor.
- Combine and Simmer: Return the cooked chicken to the pan with the sauce. Spoon the creamy mixture over each piece and allow to simmer on low heat for a few minutes to let the flavors meld together.
- Final Touches: Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Sprinkle fresh herbs like parsley or thyme over the dish before serving for a fresh, vibrant note.
Notes
- Let cream cheese soften at room temperature before cooking to ensure smooth melting.
- Do not overcook the chicken to keep it tender and juicy.
- Deglaze the pan with broth to lift flavorful browned bits for a richer sauce.
- Use fresh minced garlic for the best aroma and flavor.
- Allow cooked chicken to rest briefly so juices redistribute.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: cream cheese chicken, quick dinner, creamy chicken recipe, easy chicken dinner, weeknight meal, gluten free chicken