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Easy Creamy Chicken

Featured in Meals That Make the Table Happy.

Need dinner in a hurry? This creamy chicken delivers soft, golden chicken strips paired with sautéed mushrooms and onions, all wrapped in a rich sauce. Melty cream cheese coats everything smoothly, while mozzarella adds more cheesy goodness. It’s versatile—serve on rice, quinoa, or mashed potatoes. Make it your own by switching up the cheeses or vegetables. Plus, it stores great for leftovers. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a weeknight hero.
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Updated on Wed, 02 Apr 2025 00:44:42 GMT
Creamy Chicken Meal Pin it
Creamy Chicken Meal | mecooking.com

Ordinary chicken breasts turn into an amazing treat when cooked with cream cheese. The smooth, creamy sauce with garlic and herbs covers each tender piece of chicken, making a fancy-looking meal right at home. I grab this recipe whenever I need to wow dinner guests without spending too much time cooking.

I stumbled across this dish one wet weekend, and now my family asks for it constantly. Watching the cream cheese turn into that silky sauce always brings happy faces around our table.

Key Ingredients Breakdown

  • Chicken breasts: Pick ones that are about the same size so they cook evenly. Good chicken feels firm and looks pinkish, not grayish.
  • Cream cheese: Go for the full-fat kind for the creamiest sauce. Leave it out for half an hour before cooking.
  • Fresh garlic: Look for tight, unbroken bulbs. The real thing adds way more flavor than the powdered stuff ever could.

Putting It All Together

Getting Ready:
Let ingredients warm up and dry the chicken with paper towels.
Cooking Chicken:
Get your oil hot and bubbling before adding the seasoned chicken.
Making The Sauce:
Mix room-temp cream cheese with cooked garlic and herbs.
Combining Everything:
Put chicken back in the pan to soak up that yummy sauce.
Last Steps:
Sprinkle with fresh herbs and make sure chicken is fully cooked.
Easy Cream Cheese Chicken Pin it
Easy Cream Cheese Chicken | mecooking.com

My grandma always told me cream cheese was the hidden magic in her cooking. Now that I've nailed this dish, I totally get it—it brings a richness that turns basic stuff into something really special.

Smart Heat Management

Getting your chicken just right means watching your heat the whole time you're cooking. Starting with ingredients that aren't cold from the fridge helps everything cook evenly. Keep the sauce at a low bubble to stop it from separating and to keep your chicken moist.

Boosting The Taste

Try adding some white wine after the chicken browns to scrape up all those tasty bits from the pan bottom. Those little pieces pack tons of flavor for your sauce. You can drop in fresh herbs like thyme or tarragon at different cooking stages to build up the taste gradually.

Making It Look Good

Pour your sauce over bright green veggies to make your plate pop with color. Add a bit of chopped fresh herbs on top for looks and smell. Warm your plates first so the sauce stays just right instead of cooling too quickly.

Saving Extras For Later

Store it right and tomorrow's lunch will taste just as good. Put leftovers in a glass container while still warm, but let some steam out before you close it up. Your sauce will get thicker in the fridge but will loosen up again when you warm it gently.

Close-up Cream Cheese Chicken Recipe Pin it
Close-up Cream Cheese Chicken Recipe | mecooking.com

I've tried tons of chicken dishes over the years, but this cream cheese version always stands out. It never fails and tastes amazing every time. The mix of juicy chicken with that rich sauce works for fancy dinner parties but it's easy enough for regular weeknights too. No matter who you're feeding, everyone will love every mouthful of this dish.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Is it okay to make creamy chicken ahead?
Absolutely. Prep it early and chill in the fridge for 4-5 days. Heat it up in the microwave, cutting the chicken smaller for even warming.
→ What pairs well with creamy chicken?
Serve on mashed potatoes, polenta, quinoa, or rice. Pair with roasted veggies, peas, or steamed broccoli for balance.
→ Can I leave out the mushrooms?
Definitely. Skip the mushrooms or swap them for a veggie you prefer—it’ll still taste great.
→ Which cream cheese works best?
Use regular or reduced-fat versions. Fat-free isn’t ideal because it doesn’t provide the same creamy texture.
→ How do I check if the chicken's ready?
Ensure it hits 165°F on a thermometer or cook 6-8 minutes until the chicken’s golden and cooked through.

Easy Creamy Chicken

Tender chicken strips mix with mushrooms and a creamy sauce, coming together in under 30 minutes for a quick, flavorful meal.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
20 Minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes
By: Mariana

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 4 Servings

Dietary: Gluten-Free

Ingredients

→ Main Ingredients

01 1 small onion, diced
02 8 oz white mushrooms, sliced thin
03 2 teaspoons olive oil, extra-virgin
04 1 1/2 lbs chicken breasts, no skin or bones, sliced
05 3/4 teaspoon salt, kosher
06 4 oz plain cream cheese, regular or lighter version
07 2 cloves of garlic, minced up
08 1/4 to 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
09 1/4 cup chicken broth, low-sodium
10 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

→ For Serving

11 Optional: 3 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
12 Serve with steamed brown or white rice

Instructions

Step 01

Put a big skillet on medium heat and pour in the oil.

Step 02

Toss in the onions and mushrooms, letting them cook for 4-5 minutes. Add the garlic, stir it around for 30 seconds.

Step 03

While veggies cook, slice up the chicken. Mix the salt and pepper into the strips.

Step 04

Turn the heat up to medium-high. Drop the chicken into the skillet, flipping it after about 6-8 minutes, ensuring it gets a golden sear.

Step 05

Add cream cheese along with chicken broth, stirring until the cheese melts and blends well. Sprinkle mozzarella on top, cover the pan, and lower the heat. Let it cook for 2-3 more minutes, ensuring the chicken reaches 165°F. Add more salt and pepper if needed.

Step 06

Dish out the chicken and mushroom mix over the steamed rice. Sprinkle parsley on top, if using.

Notes

  1. No mushrooms? No problem—skip them, and it’ll still taste great.
  2. Use reduced-fat cream cheese for a lighter version, but steer clear of fat-free kinds.
  3. If you’re out of chicken broth, plain water will work.
  4. Switch up the flavor by switching mozzarella with grated Parmesan.
  5. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4-5 days.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large skillet with a lid
  • Meat thermometer, if you want

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Includes dairy like mozzarella and cream cheese.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 436
  • Total Fat: 19 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 7 g
  • Protein: 57 g