5 Delicious Ways to Make Garlic Sauce for Chicken (That Will Make Your Family Beg for Seconds!)

Ever stared at plain chicken breasts and thought “how boring”? Me too! That’s why I’m obsessed with garlic sauce – it’s the quickest way to transform bland chicken into a meal everyone fights over. After trying dozens of recipes I’ve gathered the absolute best garlic sauce recipes that’ll make your chicken sing!

Why Garlic Sauce Is a Game-Changer for Chicken

Before diving into recipes, let’s talk about why garlic sauce deserves a spot in your weekly meal rotation:

• Adds moisture – Keeps chicken juicy and prevents that dreaded dryness
• Super easy – Most recipes need just 5-10 ingredients you probably already have
• Versatile – Works on chicken, pasta, veggies, potatoes… practically everything!
• Kid-friendly – The creamy base mellows the garlic so even picky eaters love it
• Customizable – Switch up herbs, add cheese, or adjust thickness to your preference

Trust me once you master garlic sauce you’ll never look at plain chicken the same way again!

The Basic Method for Making Garlic Sauce

Most garlic sauces follow a similar pattern that’s surprisingly easy:

1. Sauté the garlic – In butter or olive oil until fragrant (don’t burn it!)
2. Add liquid – Pour in cream, milk, broth, or a combination
3. Simmer – Let it reduce and thicken slightly
4. Season – Add herbs, salt, pepper, or other flavorings
5. Finish – Sometimes thicken with cornstarch or flour if needed

That’s it! Now let’s get to the specific recipes.

1. 5-Ingredient Creamy Garlic Sauce (The Quick Version)

This sauce from Laura Fuentes is my go-to when I’m short on time but still want something delicious. It takes just 10 minutes!

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 3 garlic cloves, grated or minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 cup chicken broth (or stock)
• 1 cup cream or half and half, warmed

Instructions:

1. Warm the cream and grate the garlic.
2. Melt butter in a large pan over medium heat.
3. Add garlic and sauté for about a minute until fragrant (don’t burn it!).
4. Add Italian herbs and stir to toast them slightly.
5. Pour in chicken broth and warmed cream, stir and bring to a boil.
6. Simmer for 5 minutes to reduce and thicken.

Need it thicker? Mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 3 tablespoons cold water to make a slurry. Add to the sauce and simmer for 5 more minutes.

According to the comments, this sauce is “super easy and lovely” and “a total game-changer.” One commenter said: “I can’t believe how easy and delicious this sauce is! Just five ingredients and it turns any pasta or veggies into something restaurant-quality!”

2. Chicken in Garlic Sauce (The Restaurant-Style One)

This recipe from Easy Good Ideas uses a whole head of garlic (don’t panic!) for an elegant chicken dinner that’s ready in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts, butterflied (cut lengthwise)
• ¼ cup flour
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 2 tablespoons butter, divided
• 1 whole head garlic
• 1 large shallot, sliced
• ¾ cup chicken broth or stock
• ¾ cup heavy whipping cream
• ¼ cup parmesan cheese
• ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions:

1. Divide the garlic head into cloves. Mince 5 cloves and keep the rest whole (but peeled and smashed).
2. Mix flour, oregano, salt and pepper on a plate.
3. Heat skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon each of oil and butter.
4. Dredge chicken in flour mixture and cook until golden (4-5 minutes per side). Remove to a plate.
5. Reduce heat to medium. Add 1 tablespoon butter and sauté shallots until soft (3 minutes).
6. Add whole garlic cloves with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Cook until edges start to brown.
7. Pour in chicken broth and scrape up the brown bits. Simmer until reduced by half.
8. Add minced garlic and cream. Simmer 2 minutes.
9. Return chicken to skillet and warm through (2 minutes), spooning sauce over it.
10. Turn off heat, sprinkle with parmesan and parsley.

Don’t worry about using a whole head of garlic – it mellows when cooked and turns buttery soft!

3. Creamy Garlic Sauce with Parsley (The Extra Creamy One)

If you’re looking for maximum creaminess, this recipe uses heavy cream as the base.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup water, divided
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
• Salt and pepper
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, boil ¼ cup water with garlic and garlic powder until reduced (about 5 minutes).
2. Stir in heavy cream and parsley. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Mix cornstarch with remaining ¼ cup water to make a slurry.
4. Whisk slurry into sauce and cook 3 minutes until thickened.

This ultra-silky sauce is perfect for chicken breasts, pasta, mashed potatoes, or steamed veggies.

4. Lighter Garlic Sauce (The Everyday Version)

Want something a bit lighter for weeknight dinners? This recipe uses milk instead of cream.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup hot water
• 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon powder
• 1 cup skim milk
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• Salt and pepper
• 1 lemon wedge

Instructions:

1. Melt butter and sauté garlic until fragrant.
2. Whisk in flour to make a roux. Cook 1 minute.
3. Mix bouillon powder with water and milk. Pour into roux while whisking.
4. Simmer until thickened. Squeeze in lemon juice.
5. Season with salt and pepper.

The milk and broth make a lower-fat sauce that’s still delicious. Sprinkle with parsley or chives for extra flavor.

5. Garlic Parmesan Sauce (The Cheesy Version)

This is my personal twist that combines the best elements of several recipes!

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon flour
• ½ cup chicken broth
• ½ cup half and half
• ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Instructions:

1. Melt butter in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Sprinkle flour over garlic and butter, stir to form a paste.
4. Slowly whisk in chicken broth until smooth.
5. Add half and half and bring to a gentle simmer.
6. Stir in parmesan cheese until melted.
7. Add Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
8. For brightness, add a squeeze of lemon juice.

This is my family’s favorite for dipping chicken tenders!

Pro Tips for Perfect Garlic Sauce

After making garlic sauce about a gazillion times, I’ve learned a few things:

• Use fresh garlic when possible – jarred garlic just isn’t the same
• Warm your cream or milk before adding to prevent curdling
• Don’t burn the garlic – it gets bitter fast!
• Taste as you go – adjust salt, pepper, and herbs to your preference
• For make-ahead sauce, store in the fridge up to 3 days or freeze for 2 months
• If reheating, do it gently on low heat to prevent separation

Serving Ideas for Chicken with Garlic Sauce

The possibilities are endless, but here are my faves:

• Over pasta (any kind works, but fettuccine is especially good)
• With rice (white, brown, or cauliflower rice for low-carb)
• Alongside roasted vegetables like broccoli, asparagus, or green beans
• With mashed potatoes (the sauce works like gravy!)
• With crusty bread for sopping up extra sauce

Common Questions About Garlic Sauce

Can I use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic?
Yes! Substitute 1 teaspoon garlic powder for every 3 cloves of fresh garlic. The flavor won’t be quite as complex, but it still works.

How do I store leftover sauce?
Keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove.

My sauce separated when reheating – help!
This happens sometimes with cream sauces. Whisk vigorously while reheating on low heat, or blend it briefly to recombine.

Can I make this dairy-free?
Yep! Use olive oil instead of butter and coconut cream instead of dairy cream. The flavor will be different but still delicious.

In Conclusion

Garlic sauce is the secret weapon that’ll make everyone think you’re a kitchen genius. It transforms boring chicken into a meal worth remembering, and it’s way easier than most people think!

My personal favorite is the 5-ingredient creamy garlic sauce because it’s so quick, but on special occasions, I’ll break out the whole head of garlic for the restaurant-style version. Either way, I’m always scraping the pan for every last drop!

What’s your favorite way to use garlic sauce? I’d love to hear in the comments!

P.S. Once you master garlic sauce, try mixing it up with add-ins like sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, or different herbs. The possibilities are endless!