Sometimes I just want to feel like I'm eating decadently without having to spend hours in the kitchen. This - Creamy Garlic Chicken - is the recipe to take you there!
It's a one pan, stove top meal that cooks quickly and taste amazing. I served it over some cooked fettuccine I had in the fridge, but it could be good on it's own or aside rice or mashed potatoes. I added asparagus pieces, but broccoli or artichoke hearts would also pair well. The sauce is creamy and rather neutral, so quite a few substitutions would work here, so feel free to see what you have available.
If you are using pasta or adding veggies, it's best to start off by cooking those first. The meal moves along pretty fast and you will not have time to squeeze it in while cooking the chicken and sauce. I steamed my asparagus whole then gave it a quick cop before adding to the dish. It only took 15 minute sin the steamer to get them firm tender.
I love this steamer, by the way. I think I must use it twice a week or more. This one is pretty cool because you can delay start, it will hold steam food warm if it finishes before you are ready and has a second bin that can either act as a second container for an additional food or can be used to expand the sides of the first container to hold extra long items - such as corn on the cob. I love the set it and forget it aspect of it. I had a steamer before this one and it lasted me at least 15 years. You will never see me be without a steamer....but I digress. Back to the chicken.
As the pasta and veggies cook, it's a great time to get your ingredients together. The recipe calls for boneless thighs, and I often like a good dark meat as it retains moisture and packs a lot of flavor, but feel free to use boneless chicken breast if you prefer, just be sure to adjust cook times so that the breast is fully cooked.
The chicken should be trimmed of any large amounts of fat and then seasoned with salt, pepper and dried basil.
It then gets cooked over the pan, with a little oil, for about 8 minutes per side. Keep an eye on it as thighs can be very different sizes and so they will cook through at different times.
As they cook, whip together your cream sauce ingredients until well blended. Set aside. When the chicken thighs look browned and cooked through, remove to a plate and keep warm. Then, add the cream sauce into the pan. It will thicken pretty well given the flour in the mix, and once it gets to a nice creamy consistency, add the chicken and your prepared veggies back into the pan. The mixture can simmer a bit, 4 or 5 minutes, just to heat everything through.
It can be served over noodles, alongside rice or potatoes or just served by itself if you are watching your carbs. Creamy Garlic Chicken is a tasty meal that is easy to mix together and very verasatile.
It will absolutely make your work week dinnertime easy! Give it a try and let me know what you think!
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