Easy Creamy Garlic Chicken with Roasted Potatoes

How many times have you finished a long day and faced the classic dinner dilemma: you want a complete, satisfying meal, but the thought of juggling multiple recipes for a main, a starch, and a side feels exhausting? Many of us believe a truly great meal requires complex coordination. But what if you could create a perfectly balanced plate—with a succulent main, crispy potatoes, and fluffy rice—using one streamlined, easy-to-follow recipe?

This Creamy Garlic Chicken with Herbed Potatoes and Fluffy Rice is the answer. It’s a full-course dinner in a single recipe, designed to deliver maximum comfort and flavor with minimal stress. We’re talking tender chicken bathed in a rich garlic cream sauce, paired with perfectly roasted, herb-kissed potatoes and a simple bed of rice. This is the meal that will make you feel like a kitchen hero on any given weeknight.

What You’ll Need: Ingredients

This recipe uses simple, wholesome ingredients to create a rich and flavorful meal. Grouping them by component makes preparation a breeze.

this now & bake later ❤️

Timing

Designed for efficiency, this recipe allows you to cook the components simultaneously, bringing a complete meal to the table in under an hour.

• Preparation Time: 15 minutes
• Cooking Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes

Pro Tip: This entire meal comes together in about the same time it takes to watch an episode of your favorite TV show, making it a perfect weeknight dinner solution.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Creamy Garlic Chicken & Sides

Follow these steps in order to perfectly time each component of your meal. Let’s get cooking!

Step 1: Roast the Herbed Potatoes

First, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). While it heats up, place your cubed potatoes in a large bowl. Drizzle them with olive oil and sprinkle with the dried thyme, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Toss everything together until the potatoes are evenly coated in the oil and herbs. Spread them in a single, even layer on a large baking sheet.

Roast for 25–30 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are golden brown and wonderfully crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

Step 2: Cook the Fluffy Rice

While the potatoes are in the oven, it’s the perfect time to start the rice. Rinse your rice under cold water in a fine-mesh sieve until the water runs clear. This crucial step removes excess starch and ensures your rice will be light and fluffy, not sticky. In a medium saucepan, bring your water or chicken broth to a boil. Add the rinsed rice, give it a quick stir, then cover the pot and reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer for 15 minutes, or until all the liquid has been absorbed. Resist the urge to peek! Once cooked, turn off the heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 more minutes before fluffing with a fork.

Step 3: Sear the Chicken

In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add your cubed chicken to the hot pan in a single layer—be careful not to overcrowd it, or it will steam instead of sear. Season the chicken with paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown on all sides and cooked through.

Step 4: Create the Luscious Cream Sauce

Once the chicken is cooked, add the minced garlic to the skillet. Stir constantly for about 1 minute until it becomes fragrant. This step happens fast, so keep a close eye on it to prevent the garlic from burning. Pour in the heavy cream and reduce the heat to a medium simmer. Let the sauce bubble gently for 5–7 minutes, allowing it to reduce and thicken until it beautifully coats the back of a spoon and clings to the chicken. Just before serving, stir in the freshly chopped parsley.

Step 5: Assemble and Serve

Your masterpiece is complete! To serve, create a bed of fluffy rice on each plate. Spoon the creamy garlic chicken and its delicious sauce over the top. Add a generous portion of the crispy roasted potatoes to the side. Garnish with an extra sprinkle of fresh parsley for a final touch of color and freshness.

Nutritional Information

Here is an estimated nutritional breakdown for one serving, assuming this recipe makes four generous portions.

• Calories: 720 kcal
• Protein: 45 g
• Carbohydrates: 55 g
• Fat: 38 g (Saturated Fat: 20 g)

This is a well-rounded meal, offering a substantial amount of protein from the chicken, energy-providing carbohydrates from the rice and potatoes, and rich flavor.

Healthier Alternatives

Want to lighten up this comforting classic? A few simple swaps can make a big difference without sacrificing flavor.

• Lighter Cream Sauce: Substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half or evaporated milk to reduce the fat content. The sauce will be slightly less rich but still delicious.
• Leaner Protein: While chicken breast is already lean, you can ensure it’s trimmed of all fat. For a different flavor profile, boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be used, though they are slightly higher in fat.
• Whole Grains: Swap the white rice for brown rice or quinoa for an extra boost of fiber and nutrients. Note that cooking times for these grains will be longer.
• Add More Veggies: Serve a smaller portion of potatoes and add a side of steamed green beans or roasted broccoli for added vitamins and fiber.

Serving Suggestions

This dish is a showstopper all on its own, but a few simple touches can elevate the dining experience.

• Family-Style Platter: Arrange the rice, chicken, and potatoes on a large platter for a beautiful, communal-style presentation perfect for family dinners.
• Fresh Side Salad: The richness of the creamy sauce is perfectly balanced by a simple green salad tossed in a tangy lemon vinaigrette.
• Garnish Generously: Don’t skip the final sprinkle of fresh parsley! Its fresh, bright flavor cuts through the creaminess and makes the dish look professionally plated.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are a few tips to ensure your meal turns out perfectly every time.

• Crowding the Pans: Whether roasting potatoes or searing chicken, giving the ingredients space is key to achieving a crispy, golden-brown exterior.
  • Solution: Use a large enough baking sheet and skillet. If necessary, cook the chicken in two batches.
• Burning the Garlic: Burnt garlic has a harsh, bitter flavor that can ruin a delicate cream sauce.
  • Solution: Lower the heat before adding the garlic and cook it for only 30-60 seconds, just until fragrant, before adding the liquid.
• Not Rinsing the Rice: Skipping this step can lead to gummy, sticky rice.
  • Solution: Always rinse your rice under cool water until it runs clear. This simple step guarantees a fluffy texture.

Storing and Reheating Tips

Leftovers are fantastic, but storing them correctly is key to enjoying them the next day.

• Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For best results, you can store the components separately, but they will also keep well mixed together.
• Reheating: The cream sauce will thicken as it cools. Reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of milk or chicken broth to loosen the sauce back to its original creamy consistency. The potatoes can be crisped up again in an air fryer or a hot oven for a few minutes.

Conclusion

This Creamy Garlic Chicken with Herbed Potatoes and Fluffy Rice is more than just a recipe; it’s a strategy for a delicious, stress-free dinner. It masterfully combines three beloved components into one cohesive and incredibly satisfying meal that feels both rustic and elegant. It’s proof that you can put a complete, homemade dinner on the table that the whole family will adore, any night of the week.

We hope you love making and eating this dish as much as we do. Try it out and let us know in the comments how it turned out! Your feedback and ratings help our community of home cooks. Don’t forget to subscribe for more easy and delicious meal ideas!

FAQs

Q1. Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs would be delicious in this recipe. They are juicier and have a richer flavor. Just be sure to cook them until they are fully cooked through, which might take a couple of minutes longer than chicken breast.

Q2. What are the best potatoes to use for roasting?

Yukon Gold or other golden potatoes are excellent choices because their waxy, creamy texture holds up well to roasting, and their thin skin gets delightfully crispy. Red potatoes would also work well.

Q3. My cream sauce seems too thin. How can I fix it?

If your sauce isn’t thickening, the most likely reason is that it just needs a bit more time to simmer and reduce. Let it bubble gently over medium-low heat for a few more minutes. If you’re in a rush, you can make a slurry with 1 teaspoon of cornstarch and 2 teaspoons of cold water, then whisk it into the simmering sauce until it thickens.

Easy Creamy Garlic Chicken with Roasted Potatoes

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

• Author: Evelyn Marcella Rivera
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

What You’ll Need: Ingredients. Simple, wholesome staples come together for rich, creamy garlic chicken with crispy herbed potatoes and fluffy rice—timed so everything finishes in under an hour.

---

Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

For the Creamy Garlic Chicken

• 1 1/2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cubed
• 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
• 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 cup heavy cream (rich cream for sauce)
• 1/2 tsp smoked or sweet paprika
• salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
• 2 Tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped

For the Herbed Potatoes

• 1 1/2 lb golden potatoes (Yukon Gold), cubed
• 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

For the Fluffy Rice

• 1 cup white rice (jasmine or basmati) (rinsed until water runs clear)
• 2 cups water or chicken broth
• 1 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Roast the herbed potatoes: Heat oven to 425°F (220°C). Toss cubed potatoes with olive oil, thyme, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet in a single layer and roast 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway, until crisp outside and tender inside.
2. Cook the fluffy rice: Rinse rice in a fine-mesh sieve until water runs clear. Bring water or broth to a boil in a saucepan. Stir in rice, cover, and reduce heat to low. Simmer 15 minutes until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and rest covered 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
3. Sear the chicken: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add cubed chicken in a single layer (avoid crowding). Season with paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and cooked through.
4. Create the cream sauce: Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook 30–60 seconds until fragrant. Pour in heavy cream; reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cook 5–7 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken. Stir in chopped parsley just before serving; adjust seasoning.
5. Assemble & serve: Spoon rice onto plates, top with creamy garlic chicken and sauce, and add a generous side of roasted potatoes. Garnish with extra parsley if desired.

Notes

Pro tips: Don’t overcrowd the skillet or the chicken will steam. If sauce thickens too much, splash in a little broth or water. Potatoes and rice cook while you sear and sauce, so the whole meal lands on the table in about 45 minutes.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Main Course
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Calories: 720
• Fat: 38
• Saturated Fat: 20
• Carbohydrates: 55
• Protein: 45