The Ultimate Rich Creamy Skillet Chicken Recipe You’ll Love

Weeknight dinners demand something special, and this creamy skillet chicken recipe brings restaurant-quality comfort straight to your table.

Chefs love how this rich skillet chicken dish combines tender meat with a velvety sauce that hugs every bite.

One-pan meals simplify cooking and cleanup, making this recipe a weeknight champion.

Garlic, herbs, and a splash of cream create depth that turns ordinary chicken into something extraordinary.

Each forkful promises a burst of flavor that will have everyone asking for seconds.

The secret lies in layering ingredients and allowing them to meld together in a single skillet.

Dive into this delectable meal that transforms simple ingredients into a memorable dining experience.

Storing Creamy Skillet Chicken

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Place in the refrigerator and consume within 3-4 days for optimal taste and safety.
• Transfer cooled chicken and sauce to freezer-safe containers. Seal tightly, label with date, and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Avoid freezing cream-based sauces for best texture.
• Preheat oven to 350F. Place chicken in a baking dish, cover with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 15-20 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165F.
• Place chicken in a microwave-safe dish, add a splash of broth to maintain moisture. Cover and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until thoroughly warmed.

FAQs

• What seasonings work best for this chicken dish?

A blend of salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and Italian herbs creates a perfect flavor profile that complements the creamy sauce and enhances the chicken’s natural taste.

• Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, chicken breasts can be substituted, but they tend to dry out faster. To prevent this, reduce cooking time by 5-10 minutes and ensure you don’t overcook them to maintain moisture.

• Is sun-dried tomato crucial to the recipe?

While sun-dried tomatoes add a rich, tangy depth, you can replace them with roasted red peppers or omit them entirely. The sauce will still be delicious and creamy.

• What type of cheese works best for the sauce?

Parmesan cheese is ideal due to its sharp, nutty flavor and ability to melt smoothly.

Rich Creamy Skillet Chicken: Why It’s a Family Staple

• Minimal prep work and simple steps make this dish a breeze for home cooks of all skill levels, perfect for weeknight dinners or last-minute meal solutions.
• Creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and melted cheese creates a luxurious flavor profile that transforms ordinary chicken into a restaurant-worthy meal.
• Family and friends will love the tender chicken bathed in a decadent sauce, making it an ideal choice for gatherings or cozy family dinners.
• Streamlined cooking process using a single skillet reduces cleanup time and simplifies the entire cooking experience, appealing to busy home chefs.

What Goes in a Creamy Skillet Chicken Dish

• Chicken Thighs: Tender and juicy meat that serves as the primary protein for this rich and creamy skillet dish.

• Garlic, Salt, Pepper: Classic seasonings that provide depth and traditional savory flavor to the chicken.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Concentrated tomato pieces that add a tangy and slightly sweet complexity to the sauce.

• Butter: Creates a rich base for the sauce and helps develop a smooth, velvety texture.
• Heavy Cream: Provides a luxurious and creamy consistency to the sauce.
• Chicken Broth: Adds liquid volume and enhances the overall savory profile of the dish.
• Cheese: Melts into the sauce to create a smooth, rich, and slightly tangy finish.

Essential Tools for Creamy Chicken Dinners

• Large skillet: Essential for searing chicken and creating the rich, creamy sauce.
• Baking dish: Perfect for transferring chicken and finishing the cooking process in the oven.
• Wooden spoon: Great for stirring sauce and scraping up delicious browned bits from the pan.
• Sharp knife: Needed for slicing garlic and preparing ingredients.
• Measuring cups: Helpful for accurately measuring broth and cream.
• Cheese grater: Useful if using block cheese that needs to be grated.
• Tongs: Ideal for flipping and handling chicken during searing.

How to Cook a Creamy Skillet Chicken Dish

Step 1: Prepare Chicken

Grab your chicken thighs and sprinkle them with salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.

Make sure each piece gets an even coating of those delicious spices.

Step 2: Sear to Golden Perfection

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Place the seasoned chicken thighs skin-side down and cook until they develop a beautiful golden-brown crust.

Flip and sear the other side.

Transfer the chicken to a baking dish.

Step 3: Create Flavor Base

In the same skillet, melt butter and add minced garlic.

Sauté until the garlic becomes fragrant and slightly golden, releasing its incredible aroma throughout the kitchen.

Step 4: Craft Luxurious Sauce

• Chicken broth
• Heavy cream
• Chopped sun-dried tomatoes
• Dried basil
• Red pepper flakes

Let the mixture simmer and reduce slightly, creating a rich and creamy sauce.

Sprinkle in grated parmesan cheese and whisk until smooth and velvety.

Step 5: Bake to Completion

Pour the sauce over the chicken in the baking dish.

Slide into a preheated oven at 400°F.

Bake for 25-30 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce is bubbling with golden edges.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley on top.

Serve hot, spooning extra sauce over the chicken.

Pair with crusty bread or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.

Pro Tips for Saucy, Savory Skillet Chicken

• Choose bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for maximum flavor and juiciness in your skillet dish.
• Adjust cream and broth ratio to create your desired thickness, stirring slowly to prevent separation.
• Grate cheese freshly and add gradually while stirring to ensure smooth, lump-free sauce integration.
• Use medium-low heat when simmering sauce to avoid scorching and maintain rich, creamy texture.
• Toast sun-dried tomatoes briefly in butter before adding liquid to intensify their savory profile.

Variations for Rich Creamy Skillet Chicken Dishes

• Low-Carb Keto Version: Replace sun-dried tomatoes with chopped bell peppers and use heavy cream with extra parmesan for a lower-carb alternative that maintains rich flavor.
• Dairy-Free Option: Swap cream and butter with coconut cream and olive oil, using nutritional yeast instead of cheese to create a similar creamy texture for lactose-intolerant individuals.
• Mediterranean Herb Remix: Add fresh oregano, basil, and swap sun-dried tomatoes for fresh cherry tomatoes, using white wine instead of broth for a zestier Mediterranean-inspired profile.
• Spicy Jalapeño Kick: Incorporate diced jalapeños into the sauce, use pepper jack cheese, and add a dash of cayenne for those craving extra heat and bold flavors.

Serving Creamy Chicken Dishes for Weeknight Dinners

• Cozy Family Dinner Delight: Serve this rich chicken dish over a bed of fluffy white rice to soak up all the creamy sauce. Each bite will be packed with flavor.
• Rustic Italian-Inspired Plate: Pair with crusty garlic bread or toasted ciabatta slices to mop up the delicious sun-dried tomato cream sauce. Perfect for sharing with loved ones.
• Healthy Green Companion: Add a fresh side of roasted asparagus or sautéed spinach to balance the creamy chicken. The green vegetables will provide a light, nutritious contrast to the hearty main course.
• Wine Pairing Magic: Choose a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay to complement the creamy sauce and cut through the richness of the dish. Elevate your dining experience with a classic wine selection.

Rich Creamy Skillet Chicken Dish Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Mediterranean chicken skillet delivers bold Mediterranean flavors with tender chicken simmered in a luxurious sauce. Garlic, herbs, and tangy olives create a memorable meal you’ll savor with each delightful bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 6 chicken thighs

Seasonings:

• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• Onion powder to taste
• Garlic powder to taste
• Cajun seasoning to taste
• Paprika to taste
• Italian herbs to taste

Sauce and Cooking Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) butter
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) fresh minced garlic
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) chicken broth
• 1/3 cup (80 milliliters) heavy whipping cream
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) white cooking wine
• Olive oil for cooking
• Sun-dried tomatoes to taste
• 1/2 cup (50 grams) fresh shredded Parmesan or Italian cheese

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Generously coat chicken thighs with a robust blend of seasonings, ensuring complete coverage for maximum flavor infusion.
2. Heat olive oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat, creating a sizzling surface to achieve a golden-brown exterior on chicken thighs. Transfer browned pieces to a prepared baking dish.
3. Reduce skillet heat and melt butter, introducing minced garlic and allowing it to release its aromatic essence for approximately 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
4. Introduce chicken broth, sun-dried tomatoes, and heavy cream into the skillet, creating a luxurious sauce. Simmer gently, allowing ingredients to meld and develop complex flavors.
5. Incorporate grated parmesan cheese into the sauce, stirring until completely smooth and integrated, creating a rich, velvety texture.
6. Carefully pour the completed sauce over the waiting chicken thighs, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated and surrounded by the creamy mixture.
7. Transfer the skillet to a preheated 400°F oven, baking for 30-35 minutes until chicken reaches perfect internal temperature and sauce bubbles enticingly around the edges.

Notes

• Adjust seasoning carefully to prevent overpowering the delicate chicken flavor, using a balanced blend of herbs and spices.
• Ensure skillet is properly heated before searing to achieve a perfect golden-brown exterior that locks in moisture.
• Control cream sauce consistency by slowly adding liquids and stirring continuously to prevent separation or curdling.
• Accommodate dietary needs by substituting heavy cream with coconut milk or Greek yogurt for lighter, lactose-free alternatives.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 35 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 5 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg