Chicken breast is a versatile and healthy meat that can be prepared in endless ways. One of the most popular methods is cooking garlic chicken breast, infusing the mild chicken flavor with the aromatic garlic. With just a few simple ingredients and techniques, you can make restaurant-quality garlic chicken breast at home.
Why Make Garlic Chicken Breast?
There are many great reasons to cook garlic chicken breast:
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Chicken breast is low in fat and calories, making it a healthy choice The garlic adds lots of flavor without many extra calories
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The combination of chicken and garlic is classic. The garlic nicely complements and enhances the mild chicken flavor.
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It’s quick and easy. Chicken breast cooks fast, and the prep time is minimal. Total time from kitchen to table is under 30 minutes
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Garlic chicken breast pairs well with many side dishes like rice pasta roasted veggies or salad. It’s a versatile main dish.
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You can control the ingredients. Making it at home allows you to avoid unwanted additives like extra sodium, sugars or preservatives.
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It’s budget-friendly. Chicken breast is usually an affordable meat. Garlic is inexpensive.
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Everyone loves it! Garlic chicken breast makes a crowd-pleasing dinner for the whole family. Both kids and adults enjoy this classic flavor combo.
With all those benefits, garlic chicken breast is a simple dinner solution worth learning how to make at home.
Picking the Right Chicken Breast
The first step is selecting high-quality chicken breast to cook:
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Choose fresh, raw chicken over pre-cooked. Raw gives you better flavor and texture control.
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Opt for boneless, skinless breasts. The boneless aspect makes cooking and eating easier. Skinless keeps it healthier.
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Pick an even size and thickness. This allows for even cooking. Individual chicken breasts should be 6-8 oz.
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Make sure the raw chicken looks and smells fresh, with no off odors or slimy texture.
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Organic, free-range and air-chilled are pricier options offering potential quality benefits.
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Buy in bulk on sale and freeze extras in airtight packaging for later use. Thaw in the refrigerator before cooking.
Prepping the Chicken Breast
Before cooking, properly prepare the chicken breast:
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Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Removing excess moisture allows for better browning.
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Trim off any excess fat or connective tissue. This prevents uneven cooking.
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Pound the chicken to an even thickness, if desired. This also aids in cooking evenly. Place chicken between plastic wrap or wax paper before gently pounding.
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Season on both sides with salt and pepper. Use about 1/4 teaspoon each per breast side.
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Consider marinating for added flavor. Marinate for 30-60 minutes in the refrigerator. Discard used marinade.
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If cooking multiple breasts, divide into individual portions. Overcrowding the pan can inhibit browning.
With the chicken prepped, it’s time to cook!
Cooking Methods for Garlic Chicken Breast
There are several easy cooking methods to make garlic chicken breast:
Pan-Sear
This stove-top method creates flavorful, browned chicken:
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Heat 1-2 tablespoons of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Choose an oil with high smoke point like avocado, grapeseed or canola.
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When oil shimmers, add chicken breasts. Do not overcrowd pan.
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Let chicken cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes per side. The browning gives great flavor.
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Lower heat, cover and finish cooking until chicken is 165°F internal temperature. Around 3-5 more minutes.
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Transfer chicken to a plate. Add garlic and other ingredients to make pan sauce.
Roast
Roasting uses dry oven heat to gently cook and add flavor:
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Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
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Arrange chicken on prepared pan. Sprinkle with desired dried herbs and garlic.
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Roast for 15-20 minutes, until chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature.
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Let rest 5 minutes before serving. The juices redistribute for moist, tender meat.
Grill
Grilling imparts delicious smoky notes perfect for summer:
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Prepare a hot grill and oil the grates. Use direct high heat.
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Grill chicken over direct heat for 3-4 minutes per side. Move to indirect heat if flare-ups occur.
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Flip only once during cooking. Frequent flipping causes moisture loss.
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Brush with garlic-herb sauce during last few minutes if desired.
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Grill until 165°F internal temperature. Let rest 5 minutes.
Poach
This gentle moist-heat method keeps chicken extra juicy:
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In a skillet, bring 1-2 cups chicken broth or water mixed with garlic and herbs to a bare simmer.
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Add chicken breasts and poach at a low simmer. Takes 15-20 minutes.
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Chicken is done at 165°F internal temperature.
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Remove chicken and turn up heat to reduce poaching liquid to make flavorful sauce.
Bake
Baking in the oven is easy and hands-off:
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Place chicken in baking dish and top with minced garlic, lemon juice, herbs and olive oil.
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Bake at 375°F until chicken reaches 165°F, about 20-25 minutes.
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Add broth or water to prevent drying out. Tent with foil if needed.
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Finish under broiler for crispy skin if desired.
The cooking method depends on your preferences for flavor, texture and convenience.
Flavorful Additions
While garlic is the star, you can add other ingredients to amp up the flavors:
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Fresh lemon juice brightens with acidity and complements the garlic.
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Herbs like oregano, rosemary, thyme and basil pair nicely.
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Spices like paprika, cumin and chili powder lend warmth.
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Shallots, onions and leeks add aromatic depth.
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Butter or olive oil help keep chicken moist and saucy.
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Chicken or veggie broth lend more flavor than water.
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Wine, balsamic vinegar or soy sauce contribute extra flavor dimensions.
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Cheese like parmesan or feta give a tasty topping.
Experiment to create your own signature garlic chicken breast recipe.
Easy Garlic Pan Sauce
A quick pan sauce takes basic garlic chicken to restaurant elegance:
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After cooking chicken, sauté minced garlic for 1 minute in the pan drippings.
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Deglaze pan with 1/4 cup chicken broth, white wine or lemon juice, stirring up browned bits.
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Simmer until reduced slightly, 1-2 minutes.
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Remove from heat and whisk in a tablespoon of cold butter or olive oil.
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Stir in fresh herbs, lemon juice, mustard or capers as desired.
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Season to taste with salt and pepper.
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Spoon sauce over resting chicken and serve.
Cooking Safety
When handling raw chicken:
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Wash hands, utensils and surfaces after touching. Avoid cross-contamination.
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Store raw chicken below ready-to-eat foods in refrigerator to prevent drips.
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Use separate cutting boards and plates for raw chicken.
To ensure food safety:
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Thaw frozen chicken in the refrigerator, not on the counter.
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Marinate in the refrigerator. Do not save marinade after contact with raw chicken.
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Cook to an internal temperature of 165°F, measured with a food thermometer.
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Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and use within 3-4 days.
Follow these tips and guidelines to prepare properly handled, perfectly cooked garlic chicken breast.
Serving Suggestions
Once cooked, garlic chicken breast can be served:
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Hot off the stove or grill, with pan juices spooned over.
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Sliced or chopped over fresh greens for chicken salad.
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Diced and tossed with pasta or creamy risotto.
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In sandwiches or wraps with veggies and cheese.
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Added to pizza, nachos, tacos or fajitas.
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On top of rice, quinoa or roasted veggies.
Take your garlic chicken breast in any flavorful direction. This simple yet versatile recipe will become a go-to dinner staple.
With its ease of preparation, short cooking time and incredible flavor payoff, garlic chicken breast is a winner any night of the week. Experiment with cooking methods and ingredient additions to make this classic your own. Follow proper handling procedures and use a food thermometer for safety. Soon you will be impressing family and friends with delicious garlic chicken breast made easily at home. Happy cooking!
How to Make Creamy Garlic Chicken
This chicken in garlic sauce really couldn’t be easier. Just 5 minutes of hands-on time and dinner is served in 20 minutes total!
- Prep the chicken: Split/butterfly the chicken breasts to make two thinner pieces, then season with salt and pepper.
- Brown the chicken: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then brown the chicken until golden.
- Add the garlic to the pan with the chicken and cook for just a minute to toast.
- Make the sauce: add in the cream, broth, parsley, salt, and pepper. Cook until the sauce is thickened and the chicken is cooked through.
Creamy Garlic Chicken FAQs
The garlic sauce in this recipe has plenty of flavor, so we’re keeping the chicken seasoning simple with just a little bit of salt and pepper!
Garlic cream sauce is made up of a chicken broth and heavy whipping cream base seasoned perfectly with dried parsley, salt, and pepper.
Leftover chicken in garlic sauce will last in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. To reheat, warm on low on the stove or in the microwave until heated through.
Yes! Leftovers freeze very well provided that you use a high fat cream. Lower fat cream can separate when frozen. Simply thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in a skillet to serve.
- Chicken breast size: You can use whole chicken breasts if you want, but they will need twice as long to cook and may not cook as evenly. You will also want to add more sauce.
- If you want enough sauce for pasta, and you like a lot of sauce on your pasta, I recommend doubling the sauce and adding 1 teaspoon of cornstarch. The increased amount of liquid takes longer to thicken on its own.
- Cloves vs minced: If you don’t love a super strong garlic flavor, use whole cloves. You’ll still get the flavor, but in a more subtle way.
- Optional: You can dust your chicken with flour or cornstarch before frying for more even browning and a thicker crust.
- Check the temp. Don’t forget to check the temperature of the chicken before serving. It should be 165ºF.
- Add veggies. Feel free to add in whatever veggies you like to bulk the meal up. Try onion, pepper, zucchini, mushrooms, spinach, etc.
- Spice it up. Kick the heat up a notch with a sprinkle of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
- Want to bump up the flavor? Try the tasty additions in my Creamy Tuscan Chicken recipe.
Creamy Garlic Chicken Breast Recipe
FAQ
Can I use garlic to cook chicken?
Fresh garlic is used to make the sauce and garlic powder to coat and season the chicken before pan-frying. I don’t suggest using fresh garlic to coat the chicken because it can burn easily. If you do not have garlic powder, you may simply use steak seasoning, though the flavors are different it still works.
How to make easy garlic chicken recipe with few ingredients?
Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and sprinkle with garlic powder, seasoning salt, and onion powder. Sauté until chicken is cooked through and juices run clear, 10 to 15 minutes on each side. Serve hot and enjoy!
How to add garlic to chicken breast?
In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, brown sugar, lemon juice, garlic, paprika, dried thyme, salt and pepper. Add the chicken breasts and toss to coat evenly. Place the chicken breasts on a baking tray lined with baking (parchment) paper. Bake in the preheated oven for 15–18 minutes or until cooked through.
When should you add garlic to chicken?
In general, it’s best to add garlic towards the beginning of the cooking process, so that it has time to release its flavor and aroma. This can be done by sautéing minced garlic in oil or butter for a minute or two before adding other ingredients.