Creamy Garlic Chicken & Vegetables
Creamy Garlic Chicken & Vegetables is a comforting and wholesome dish that combines tender chicken breasts with vibrant mixed vegetables in a luscious, velvety garlic cream sauce. Easy to prepare and packed with fresh ingredients, this recipe offers a perfect balance of rich creaminess and bright flavors, making it ideal for busy weeknights or casual dinners. The dish is versatile, nutritious, and reheats beautifully, promising to become a family favorite.
- Author: Nina
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
Vegetables
- 1 cup mixed vegetables (bell peppers, carrots, broccoli), chopped into bite-sized pieces
Sauce
- 3–4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning (additional, optional)
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Wash and chop the mixed vegetables into bite-sized pieces. Mince the garlic finely to unlock maximum flavor. Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to taste.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 5-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken and set it aside to rest.
- Sauté the Vegetables and Garlic: In the same skillet, add a little more oil if needed. Toss in the mixed vegetables and sauté for about 4-5 minutes until they start to soften. Add minced garlic during the last minute to prevent burning and to release its aroma.
- Make the Creamy Garlic Sauce: Lower the heat to medium. Pour the heavy cream into the skillet, stirring well to combine with the sautéed garlic and vegetables. Sprinkle in Parmesan cheese if using, and stir until the sauce thickens slightly, about 3-4 minutes.
- Combine and Simmer: Return the chicken breasts to the pan, nestling them into the sauce and vegetables. Allow everything to simmer together for another 5 minutes so the flavors meld and the chicken absorbs some of the creamy sauce.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once the sauce has thickened to your liking and the chicken is fully coated, garnish as desired (such as chopped parsley or basil) and serve hot.
Notes
- Choose room temperature chicken to ensure even cooking without drying out.
- Do not overcrowd the pan when cooking chicken or vegetables; cook in batches if needed for proper browning.
- Use fresh garlic for the best flavor—avoid pre-minced garlic.
- Simmer the sauce gently on low heat to prevent the cream from separating.
- Let the chicken rest after cooking to lock in juices and maintain tenderness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
Keywords: creamy garlic chicken, garlic chicken and vegetables, healthy chicken dinner, creamy chicken recipe, weeknight chicken meal, one pan chicken dish, gluten free chicken recipe