Cream Cheese Chicken Recipe: Easy & Delicious
Cozy Weeknight Favorite Weeknight Meals.
Easy cream cheese chicken recipe with a rich sauce made from pantry ingredients. Even picky eaters will love it! Quick and simple.
I remember the first time I made this. It was one of those days where everything felt a little grey and drizzly, both outside and in my head. I wasn't in the mood for anything complicated. I just wanted warmth. Rummaging through the fridge, I saw a block of cream cheese and some chicken, and a little lightbulb went off. What started as an experiment turned into this beautiful, creamy dish that smelled like home. Now, the scent of garlic and herbs mingling with that tangy cream cheese sauce instantly takes me back to that quiet, comforting moment. It's become our go-to 'hug in a bowl' meal.
Why This Recipe Feels Like a Hug
- •**Incredibly Comforting:** The sauce is rich, velvety, and just coats everything in the most wonderful way.
- •**So, So Easy:** It comes together in one pan in about 30 minutes. Less mess is always a win.
- •**Pantry Staples:** You probably have most of these ingredients on hand right now.
- •**Family Favorite:** It has a gentle, savory flavor that even the pickiest eaters seem to love.
Wow, this is a game-changer for weeknight dinners. My kids, who are usually so picky, asked for seconds. The sauce is just... everything. So creamy and flavorful, but not heavy at all. It felt like something from a fancy restaurant, but I made it in under 30 minutes. Definitely keeping this in the rotation!
Essential Ingredient Guide
- Cream Cheese: Full-fat, block-style cream cheese works best here. It melts into the smoothest, richest sauce. Let it soften at room temperature for a bit before you start—it makes all the difference in getting that perfect, lump-free texture.
- Chicken Breasts: I like to use thin-cut chicken breasts because they cook so quickly and evenly. If you have thicker ones, you can either slice them in half horizontally or just give them a gentle pounding to even them out.
Complete Cooking Process
- **Seasoning:** The first layer of flavor comes from a simple blend of spices patted onto the dry chicken.
- **Searing:** Getting that beautiful golden-brown crust on the chicken in a hot skillet is key.
- **Melting:** Watching the cream cheese melt into the broth is honestly my favorite part. It goes from liquid to luscious.
- **Serving:** Spooning that creamy sauce over the chicken just before serving. It's pure comfort.
Your Questions Answered
→Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs would be delicious. They might take a few extra minutes to cook through, but they'll add even more flavor to the dish.
→What can I serve with this?
Oh, so many things! It's lovely over egg noodles, mashed potatoes, or rice to soak up all that sauce. A side of steamed green beans or roasted asparagus also pairs beautifully.
→How do I store leftovers?
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The sauce might thicken a bit when cold, but it will loosen up perfectly when you gently reheat it on the stove or in the microwave.
Cream Cheese Chicken Recipe: Easy & Delicious
An easy cream cheese chicken recipe with a rich, velvety sauce made from simple pantry ingredients. This cozy, comforting dish is a favorite for the whole family—even the picky eaters! Perfect for a quick and simple weeknight dinner.
Timing
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
20 minutes
Total Time
30 minutes
Recipe Details
Ingredients
For the Creamy Chicken
- 014 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, about 1.5 lbs
- 021 teaspoon paprika
- 031 teaspoon garlic powder
- 041/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 05Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 062 tablespoons olive oil
- 074 cloves garlic, minced
- 081 cup chicken broth
- 094 oz cream cheese, softened and cubed
- 101/2 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter sauce)
- 111/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 122 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel. In a small bowl, mix together the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle this seasoning blend generously over both sides of the chicken.
Warm the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once it’s shimmering, carefully place the chicken in the skillet. Cook for about 5-6 minutes per side, until it's golden brown and cooked through. The exact time will depend on the thickness, so just make sure it’s no longer pink inside. Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a plate and set it aside.
In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and cook for just about 30 seconds until it’s fragrant. Ugh, that smell is just the best. Pour in the chicken broth, using a wooden spoon to scrape up any of those tasty browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
Bring the broth to a gentle simmer. Add the cubed cream cheese, stirring until it has completely melted into the broth. It might look a little clunky at first, but just be patient. Then, stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Continue stirring until the sauce is smooth and has thickened slightly.
Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into that beautiful sauce. Let everything simmer together for a minute or two, spooning some of the sauce over the chicken. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately. So simple, right?
Notes & Tips
- 1Feel free to add other herbs you love. A bit of dried thyme or oregano in the seasoning mix would be wonderful.
- 2If the sauce gets too thick for your liking, you can always thin it out with a little more chicken broth or cream until it reaches the consistency you prefer.
Tools You'll Need
- •Make sure your cream cheese is properly softened. It will melt so much more easily and create a smoother sauce.
- •Don't overcrowd the pan when searing the chicken. Cook in batches if you need to, so each piece gets a nice golden crust.
- •Scraping up the browned bits (the 'fond') from the bottom of the pan after searing the chicken adds a huge depth of flavor to your sauce. Don't skip this!
Love This Recipe?
Get more delicious recipes like this delivered to your inbox every week!