1-Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Cutlets Start by transforming your chicken breasts into evenly sized cutlets. Carefully fillet each chicken breast horizontally into two thinner cutlets, or purchase thin-cut chicken breasts to save time. This technique ensures even cooking throughout and reduces total cooking time. Uniform thickness means no more dried-out edges while waiting for the center to cook through.

2-Step 2: Season the Chicken In a small bowl, combine the Italian seasoning, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over both sides of each chicken cutlet. Take a moment to gently rub the seasonings into the meat, ensuring every bite is flavorful. This step creates the foundation for a well-seasoned dish.

3-Step 3: Coat with Flour Place the flour in a shallow dish or sprinkle it directly over the seasoned chicken. Work the flour into both sides of each cutlet until evenly coated. Shake off any excess flour, as too much can create a gummy texture. The flour serves two important purposes: it helps create a beautiful golden crust during searing, and it contributes slight thickening to the final sauce.

4-Step 4: Sear the Chicken Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter, allowing the butter to melt and foam slightly. Once the fat is hot and shimmering, carefully place the chicken cutlets in the skillet without overcrowding. Cook for approximately 4 minutes per side until the chicken develops a deep golden-brown crust and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. The key here is patience. Let the chicken develop that gorgeous color without constantly moving it. A proper sear locks in juices and creates fond (those browned bits on the pan bottom) that will add tremendous flavor to your sauce.

5-Step 5: Rest the Chicken Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and transfer it to a clean plate. Cover loosely with aluminum foil to keep warm while you prepare the sauce. Resting allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring moist, tender results when you serve it. Don’t skip this step, as cutting into hot chicken immediately causes all those delicious juices to run out.

6-Step 6: Prepare the Garlic While the chicken rests, peel all the garlic cloves from your bulb. Use the flat side of a chef’s knife to gently smash each clove, which helps release the natural oils and intensifies the flavor. You don’t need to mince the garlic finely; smashed cloves will infuse the sauce beautifully and can be left whole for those who enjoy eating them.

7-Step 7: Sauté the Garlic In the same skillet used for the chicken, add the remaining tablespoon of butter over medium-low heat. Add the smashed garlic cloves and sauté for about 3 minutes, stirring frequently. Watch carefully to prevent burning, as garlic can turn bitter quickly. You’re looking for lightly browned, fragrant garlic that smells sweet and mellow rather than sharp and harsh. This slow sautéing process is what transforms regular garlic into something magical. The gentle heat draws out the natural sugars and creates a subtle sweetness that balances the cream beautifully.

8-Step 8: Create the Creamy Sauce Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, then add the garlic powder. Using a wooden spoon or whisk, stir the liquids together while scraping up all those delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pan. This deglazing step incorporates every bit of flavor into your sauce. Increase the heat slightly to bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let the sauce simmer uncovered for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce will reduce by about half and naturally thicken into a velvety consistency. Watch for it to coat the back of a spoon, which indicates it’s reaching the perfect texture.

9-Step 9: Season and Finish Taste your sauce and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed. Every palate is different, and proper seasoning can make or break a dish. Remember that the chicken will add some saltiness back into the sauce, so keep that in mind when adjusting.

10-Step 10: Serve Your Creation Return the rested chicken cutlets to the skillet, spooning the creamy garlic sauce over the top. Let everything warm through for about 2 minutes. Your 30 minute creamy garlic chicken is now ready to serve! Transfer to plates and garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired. For a complete meal, pair this dish with pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables. If you’re looking for a sweet finish to your meal, check out this delightful berry trifle recipe for dessert inspiration.