Introduction
Hey there, kitchen pals! Do you ever crave something super comforting, incredibly delicious, and ridiculously easy to whip up after a long day? I know I do! Today, I’m sharing a recipe that’s become a weeknight warrior in my house: Easy Cream Cheese Chicken. It’s the kind of meal that makes your kitchen smell amazing and brings everyone to the table with happy anticipation. Seriously, it’s so simple, you’ll wonder why you haven’t made it sooner!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast: From start to finish, this dish comes together in under 45 minutes. Perfect for those busy evenings!
- Easy: Minimal prep and simple steps mean even a beginner cook can nail this.
- Giftable: While not a baked good, this creamy chicken dish makes a fantastic meal to bring to a friend who’s under the weather or has just welcomed a new baby.
- Crowd-pleasing: The creamy, savory sauce is a hit with both kids and adults. It’s pure comfort food bliss!
Ingredients
Let’s gather our goodies. You probably have most of these pantry staples already!
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened: The star of our creamy sauce! Make sure it’s nice and soft so it melts smoothly.
- 2 large chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless is easiest, but feel free to use thighs if that’s what you have.
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder: For a little foundational flavor boost.
- Salt and pepper, to taste: The essential seasoning duo.
- 1 tablespoon butter: Adds richness and helps get that beautiful golden sear on the chicken.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil: Works with the butter to prevent sticking and add flavor.
- ½ medium onion, chopped: Sweetens up the sauce and adds a lovely aromatic base.
- 3 cloves garlic, minced: Because everything is better with garlic, right?
- ¾ cup chicken broth: This is key to building our luscious sauce.
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning: A handy blend of herbs that brings a wonderful depth.
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes: Just a touch of warmth to make things interesting. You can adjust this to your spice preference!
- Fresh chopped parsley, optional (for garnish): Adds a pop of color and freshness.
How to Make It
Alright, let’s get cooking! Grab your favorite skillet and let’s do this.
- First things first, let’s season our chicken. Give both sides of those beautiful chicken breasts a good sprinkle of salt, pepper, and that handy garlic powder.
- In a large skillet, melt the butter and olive oil over medium-high heat. Get it nice and hot!
- Now, carefully place your seasoned chicken breasts in the hot skillet. Sear them for about 3-4 minutes on each side, until they’re gorgeously golden brown. We’re not cooking them all the way through just yet, we’re just building flavor and color. Once they’re nicely seared, take them out of the skillet and set them aside on a plate for a moment.
- Toss your chopped onion into the same skillet. Cook them down for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they start to soften and become a little translucent.
- Add your minced garlic to the skillet and cook for just another minute until it smells wonderfully fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic – it can happen fast!
- Time to build our sauce! Pour in the chicken broth. Now, grab your spoon and gently scrape up any delicious browned bits stuck to the bottom of the skillet. That’s where all the flavor is!
- Stir in the Italian seasoning and those little crushed red pepper flakes. Give it a little swirl to combine.
- Turn the heat down to low. This is where the magic happens! Add your softened cream cheese to the skillet. Whisk it gently into the broth mixture until it’s completely melted and your sauce is smooth and creamy. Oh, it smells so good already!
- Now, bring those seared chicken breasts back into the skillet. Nestle them down into that luscious cream cheese sauce. Make sure they’re coated nicely.
- Cover the skillet with a lid and let it simmer gently for about 15-20 minutes. This is when the chicken will finish cooking through. You’ll know it’s ready when it’s no longer pink in the center.
- Once your chicken is cooked through, give it a final taste and adjust seasoning if needed. If you’re feeling fancy, sprinkle some fresh chopped parsley over the top for a pretty garnish before serving. Serve it up and enjoy the creamy, dreamy goodness!
Substitutions & Additions
This recipe is fantastic as is, but it’s also a wonderful canvas for your own culinary creativity!
- Chicken: Thighs work wonderfully here too! If you’re vegetarian, you could try this with large, firm mushrooms or even cauliflower florets, though cooking times will vary.
- Broth: Vegetable broth is a great alternative if you don’t have chicken broth on hand.
- Spice: If you love a kick, feel free to add more red pepper flakes or even a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Veggies: Sautéed mushrooms, spinach wilted in at the end, or even some steamed broccoli added right before serving would be delicious additions.
- Herbs: Fresh thyme or rosemary can add a different aromatic profile.
Tips for Success
A few little pointers to ensure your Cream Cheese Chicken turns out perfectly every time.
- Soften the Cream Cheese: This is really important for a smooth sauce. If you forget to take it out of the fridge ahead of time, you can unwrap it and place it in a microwave-safe bowl, microwaving on 50% power for about 15-20 seconds.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: When searing the chicken, make sure you have enough space in your skillet. If you crowd the pan, the chicken will steam instead of sear, and you won’t get that lovely golden-brown crust. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Low and Slow for Simmering: Once the chicken is back in the sauce, keep the heat on low and covered. This ensures the chicken cooks gently and stays moist.
- Prep Ahead: You can chop your onion and mince your garlic a day in advance and store them in airtight containers in the refrigerator.
How to Store It
Leftovers are always a good thing! Store any remaining Cream Cheese Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should stay fresh and delicious for about 3-4 days. To reheat, gently warm it on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally, or pop it in the microwave. You might need to add a splash of chicken broth or a tiny bit of milk if the sauce seems a little thick after chilling.
FAQs
Got questions? I’ve got answers!
Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Yes, you can sear the chicken and make the sauce ahead of time. Store them separately in the refrigerator and then combine and simmer when you’re ready to serve. The sauce might thicken a bit, so you may need to loosen it with a splash of broth when reheating.
Q: What should I serve this with?
A: This creamy chicken is fantastic served over rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, or with a side of crusty bread to soak up all that yummy sauce. Steamed vegetables like broccoli or green beans are also a great pairing!
Q: Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
A: Absolutely! Chicken thighs are wonderfully forgiving and stay super moist. You might need to adjust the simmering time slightly depending on their size, but they will be delicious in this recipe.
Q: How do I make the sauce creamier?
A: If you want an extra-rich sauce, you can stir in a tablespoon or two of heavy cream or half-and-half at the end of cooking, just before you add the chicken back in.
Cream Cheese Chicken
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Plate
- Spoon
- Whisk
- Lid for skillet
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 2 large chicken breasts Boneless, skinless
- 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
- to taste salt
- to taste pepper
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 0.5 medium onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 0.75 cup chicken broth
- 0.5 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 0.25 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- optional fresh chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.8 oz cream cheese
- Melt butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.8 oz cream cheese
- Sear chicken breasts for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove from skillet and set aside.8 oz cream cheese
- Add chopped onion to the skillet and cook for 5 minutes until softened.8 oz cream cheese
- Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.8 oz cream cheese
- Pour in chicken broth and scrape up browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.8 oz cream cheese
- Stir in Italian seasoning and crushed red pepper flakes.8 oz cream cheese
- Reduce heat to low. Add softened cream cheese and whisk until melted and smooth.8 oz cream cheese
- Return chicken breasts to the skillet, coating them in the sauce.8 oz cream cheese
- Cover and simmer gently for 15-20 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.8 oz cream cheese
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with parsley if desired before serving.8 oz cream cheese