This Creamy Garlic Chicken is the latest recipe I’ve added to our dairy free comfort food collection. Picture sautéed chicken bathed in a creamy sauce all perfumed with garlic and savory flavor. It’s beyond delicious and so easy to make too!
This recipe is my latest answer to the ever present question, ‘what’s for dinner’? It’s perfect comfort food that’s healthy as well. And it’s just as good for a family dinner, or for an at home date night. It’s simple and creamy, but light enough for spring meals as well, especially when you pair it with roasted asparagus.
As the name ‘garlic chicken’ suggests, there’s lots of garlic in this dish. But it’s not at all overwhelming because the garlic is lightly browned first, then simmered into creamy submission. There’s also a subtle balance added with just a touch of Italian seasoning to round out all the flavors.
Let’s get started by talking about the ingredients for this Creamy Garlic Chicken
- Chicken – I used large chicken breasts, (8 oz each) cut into half lengthwise to make 4 chicken breasts about 1 – 1 1/2″ thick. You could also use boneless skinless chicken thighs as well.
- Cassava flour – or regular all purpose flour, or Einkorn wheat flour all work here. The chicken is dredged in the flour then pan fried. And as it simmers in the sauce, that bit of flour thickens it perfectly. You could also try sprinkling a tablespoon or so of tapioca starch over the chicken breasts if you don’t have any of the flours listed. I wouldn’t personally recommend gluten free flours as they often add a weird bean-like taste to the final dish.
- Garlic – As mentioned above, there’s a lot of garlic in this recipe. You’ll see below the recipe calls for a whole head, and that’s not a misprint! You’ll find that the garlic flavor isn’t as strong as you might think once it’s been thoroughly simmered. Also I like to cut the cloves in half lengthwise so they can completely soften in the sauce.
- Seasonings – I add just a touch of garlic powder, (I know… more garlic, but trust me!) and some Italian seasoning. These both round out the flavors of the sauce and make sure you don’t taste the coconut milk.
- Coconut milk – is what makes this garlic chicken creamy. And you definitely don’t taste the coconut flavor with everything else going on here. However if you want to go all out, you can sub in heavy creamy here as well!
- Chicken stock – homemade chicken stock will always give you the best flavor. But if you’re looking for store bought, try and find a brand with low sodium.
And now let’s make this recipe step by step
Step 1: First we’ll prep all the ingredients and cut the chicken breasts in half lengthwise.
Step 2: Next the chicken is dredged in the flour and pan fried just to brown each side. You don’t need to cook it all the way through at this point. It will finish cooking in the sauce at the end.
Step 3: Then we’re going to lightly brown the halved garlic cloves in melted ghee or olive oil. The browning add lots of ‘roasted garlic’ flavor to the final sauce.
Step 4: After the garlic is browned, you’ll add the seasonings along with the liquids. From here the most crucial part of the recipe is to keep the sauce at a slow simmer. This allows the garlic to fully soften and not be overwhelming, and the sauce to reduce.
Step 5: The final step is to simmer the chicken in the sauce until the chicken is done in the center. I like to sprinkle a touch of parsley over the top for a bright pop of color, and touch of fresh flavor.
- To Store – place any leftovers into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
- Reheat – by placing the leftovers into a skillet and warming over low to medium heat until heated through. You may need to add a touch of water depending on how much sauce you have.
FAQ’s
Freshly cooked pasta, steamed rice, and mashed potatoes all go well with garlic chicken. You’ll also find my extra side dish serving suggestions below.
Yes but with reservations because it can cause the sauce to break. You’re best bet is to thaw it overnight in the fridge then reheat adding a touch of water if needed to help the sauce stay together.
Serve this Creamy Garlic Chicken with
- Creamy Mashed Cauliflower
- Oven Roasted Broccoli
- Garlic Butter Sautéed Mushrooms
- The Best Rosemary Potatoes
- Easiest Garlic Roasted Green Beans
I really hope you enjoy this simple and comforting dinner. And if you do get a chance to make it, I hope you’ll leave me a comment/rating below. I always love hearing from you here! Also for lots more dairy free dinner recipes, check out the recipe index.
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Creamy Garlic Chicken
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Perfect comfort food, this Creamy Garlic Chicken is great paired with simple roasted veggies like broccoli or asparagus.
Ingredients
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, 1 pound, cut in half lengthwise
1/4 cup cassava flour, all purpose, or Einkorn flour
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons ghee, butter, or olive oil
1 bulb garlic, peeled and clove cut in half lengthwise
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 cup chicken broth or stock
1 can coconut milk, 13.5 oz or 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1/2–1 teaspoon sea salt, to taste it will vary depending on chicken stock
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper, to taste
Chopped fresh parsley for optional garnish
Instructions
Preheat a large, 12″ skillet over medium high heat. Meanwhile dredge the 4 pieces of chicken in the cassava flour.
When the pan is hot, add the tablespoon of olive oil and 2 of the chicken breasts. Cook to brown each side, 2-3 minutes per side, then remove them from the pan and set them aside. Repeat with the remaining 2 chicken breasts.
Lower the heat to medium low, then add the ghee or additional olive oil to the pan along with the halved garlic cloves. Cook for 2-3 minutes stirring as the garlic cloves begin to turn light brown.
Then add the garlic powder, Italian seasoning, chicken stock, and coconut milk to the pan. Bring the mixture to a boil, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
Reduce the heat to maintain a light simmer, and cook until the garlic cloves are completely softened, 15-20 minutes. The sauce will reduce by about 1/2.
When the garlic is done, add the chicken breasts back to the pan and simmer until they’re done in the center, 6-8 minutes, turning once in the middle of the cooking time.
Garnish with a sprinkling of fresh parsley and serve.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Healthy Garlic Chicken, Dairy Free Garlic Chicken, Easy Garlic Chicken Recipe, Whole30 Garlic Chicken, Creamy Garlic Sauce for Chicken
Made this tonight for dinner and the whole family loved it! Used coconut milk and chicken tenderloins. Served over penne gf pasta with green beans! Yum. Thanks!
★★★★★
I’m so glad to hear you and your family enjoyed it! And thanks so much for the serving suggestions as well, sounds like a wonderful dinner!
Everytime I make this I have oil that separates from the coconut milk. Am I simmering it for to long?
★★★★★
Yes that’s exactly what’s happening, if the oil separates from the coconut milk in the sauce it’s because there isn’t enough ‘water’ liquid left and the fat separates. You can fix this by adding a touch of water and swirling the pan to combine until it emulsifies again. Or you can also remove the chicken, whisk just enough water (or more coconut milk) into the sauce to bring it back together. I hope this helps and be sure to let me know how it goes!
Great recipe. I never imaged I could use coconut milk with a dish that is more American or southern inspired.
★★★★★
So glad to hear you enjoyed it! Coconut milk is surprisingly tasty in so many dairy free re-makes!