Baked Creamy Garlic Chicken is a quick, flavorful dinner made with tender chicken and a rich, cheesy garlic sauce. Easy enough for busy weeknights, but also impressive enough for guests.
When you’re craving a quick and comforting dinner that tastes like it took hours, this Baked Creamy Garlic Chicken recipe is here to save the day. This dish combines tender, juicy chicken with a creamy sauce. The simple sauce is made from minced garlic, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, tangy sour cream, and velvety mayonnaise. It’s a dish that feels indulgent but is ridiculously simple to make. Topped with a golden, bubbly layer of sauce, this chicken comes out of the oven perfectly seasoned and irresistibly creamy.
This chicken recipe has been a staple in our home since 2004—long before kids, busy schedules, and the daily dinner hustle. Its simplicity and oven-baked convenience make it a lifesaver for weeknights when time is short, but the family still deserves a delicious, home-cooked meal. With just minutes of prep and a quick pop in the oven, you’ll have a dish that’s comforting and flavorful. It’s sure to become a regular on your dinner table too.
Simple Ingredients and Substitutes
- Chicken Breasts, boneless, skinless – You can use boneless skinless chicken breasts or boneless skinless chicken thighs. I always have raw chicken breasts in the freezer as they can last up to 12 months if in an airtight container or packaging. Check out all of my tips on Prepping and Storing Chicken for Easier Dinners.
- Parmesan Cheese, grated – Parmesan, either grated or shredded, adds a nice nutty and more cheesy flavor. You can leave it out if you don’t have it or substitute with pecorino.
- Sour Cream – I used full-fat sour cream, but you can also use a low fat version. If you don’t want to or have it to use, then you can substitute with heavy cream, mascarpone, crème fraîche, coconut milk, or greek yogurt.
- Mayonnaise – Mayonnaise brings creamy tang, but you can replace it with any combination of sour cream, greek yogurt, or marscapone.
- Fresh Garlic cloves, minced – Fresh is best when it comes to garlic. You can buy pre-minced garlic to save time or mince it in bulk in a food processor and freeze it to use when you need it! You can also substitute in dried garlic flakes or garlic powder.
- Milk – half and half or heavy cream will also work well here.
- Fresh Italian Parsley, chopped – Fresh parsley is best, don’t even bother with dried parsley. You can substitute in other fresh herbs, such as basil or oregano.
Easy Steps for Creamy Garlic Chicken!
It all starts with a bowl that you mix all of the creamy ingredients together in. Just mix the minced garlic, freshly grated parmesan cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, a little milk, and parsley. You sear the chicken in a pan and then transfer to a baking dish and bake for 20 minutes. Then, simply scoop the creamy garlic parmesan sauce on top of the chicken.
Put under the broiler just until the sauce with the cheese is warmed through and slightly browned. Once browned, it takes on such a nutty and salty and creamy flavor that you don’t necessarily expect when you hear sour cream and mayonnaise. I usually serve this over rice. All the extra garlic cream sauce can be soaked up and eaten with the rice because absolutely none of this sauce should be left behind (no, I don’t lick the plate…ok, so maybe a little).
A simple side of roasted or sauteed veggies, such as asparagus or zucchini round out the meal. Or just add a simple salad.
Variations on Creamy Garlic Chicken
- Cheesy Ranch Garlic Chicken – Swap out the Parmesan for shredded cheddar or mozzarella in this creamy garlic sauce. Then mix in 1 tablespoon of ranch seasoning for a tangy, cheesy twist.
- Spinach & Artichoke Garlic Chicken – Stir in ½ cup of chopped spinach and ¼ cup of chopped artichokes into the creamy sauce for a flavor inspired by the classic dip.
- Spicy Garlic Chicken – Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a teaspoon of hot sauce to the sauce for a little heat. A dash of smoked paprika also adds a warm, smoky kick.
- Herb & Lemon Garlic Chicken – Mix in 1 tablespoon of fresh chopped herbs (like parsley, thyme, or rosemary) and add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice before baking for a bright, fresh flavor.
- Mushroom Garlic Chicken – Sauté ½ cup of sliced mushrooms and mix them into the sauce before baking for an extra savory, umami-rich variation.
- Bacon & Chive Garlic Chicken – Top the chicken with crispy cooked bacon crumbles and chopped fresh chives after baking for a smoky, savory finish.
- Buffalo Garlic Chicken – Stir ¼ cup of buffalo sauce into the creamy mixture and top with blue cheese crumbles after baking for a bold, tangy kick.
- Sun-Dried Tomato & Basil Garlic Chicken – Add ¼ cup of chopped sun-dried tomatoes and a handful of fresh basil for a Mediterranean-inspired twist.
- Pesto Garlic Chicken – Mix 2 tablespoons of pesto into the sauce before baking for an herby, garlicky variation with an extra punch of flavor.
Creamy Garlic Chicken Recipe FAQs
Yes! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work great in this recipe and will stay extra juicy. Just adjust the cooking time slightly, as thighs may take a few extra minutes to cook through.
Absolutely! You can assemble the dish a few hours in advance, cover it, and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to bake. Let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before baking for even cooking.
This creamy chicken pairs well with potatoes, such as my Baby Potatoes with Garlic Butter and Sage. Pasta is always a safe bet for a side, but try my Easy Homemade Pasta. Simple buttered noodles, roasted veggies, or a simple green salad are all great to pair with this. It’s also delicious with crusty bread to soak up the sauce!
The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). A meat thermometer is the best way to check!
Yes! This dish is naturally low-carb. Just pair it with steamed veggies or a side salad instead of pasta or potatoes.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven at 325°F or in the microwave in short intervals to avoid drying out the chicken.
This dish is best enjoyed fresh, but you can freeze it after baking. Let it cool completely, then store it in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Baked Creamy Garlic Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound Chicken Breasts
- 1 teaspoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- ¼ Cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
- ¼ Cup Sour Cream
- ¼ Cup Mayonnaise
- 1 Clove Garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Milk
- 1 tablespoon Parsley, finely chopped
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Ground Black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F
- Season chicken breasts with some salt & pepper (not the ¼ teaspoon in the ingredient list) and then sear in a hot pan with coconut oil until golden brown on both sides. About 2-3 minutes each side.
- Move chicken to a baking dish with 1.5-2 inch sides and put into preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- While chicken is cooking, mix all other ingredients in a bowl: garlic, parmesan, mayo, sour cream, milk, parsley, salt and pepper.
- When the chicken is done, remove it from the oven and smear the garlic parmesan mixture over the top. Put the chicken back in the oven under the broiler until the topping becomes golden brown and bubbly.
- Remove from oven and let sit for at least 5 minutes. Then slice the chicken plate with rice or polenta. Spoon the sauce in the baking dish all over top of the chicken. Enjoy!
Stacy Kisla says
Super easy, delicious and flavorful! I didn’t have fresh parsley available, so I used dried. I added fresh mushrooms when I put the chicken in the oven to broil with the topping and served it over rice with steamed broccoli. The kids enjoyed it too!! Yum!
H H says
I don’t normally come back to comment on meals I make, but this one was soo good. I’m not a chicken fan, but this was delicious. I’ve tried it with freeze dried parsley and garlic powder instead of their fresh counterparts and it was almost as good, but easier in a pinch to make. Thanks for the great recipe 🙂