Chicken Fillet in Spicy, Creamy Garlic

There’s something magical that happens when garlic, cream, and a little heat come together in one pan. This Chicken Fillet in Spicy, Creamy Garlic Sauce is one of those meals that feels restaurant-fancy but is secretly super simple to throw together at home. If you’re looking for a cozy, comforting main dish that doesn’t skimp on flavor, you’re in the right place.

I made this dish one rainy evening when I was craving something creamy, garlicky, and just a bit spicy – and wow, it hit all the right notes. The tender chicken, seared until golden, soaks up every bit of that luscious sauce, while the garlic and chili add a bold punch that keeps you coming back for “just one more bite.”

Plus, the versatility here is off the charts. Spoon it over fluffy mashed potatoes, twirl it into pasta, or mop up every drop with a piece of crusty bread. However you serve it, this dish delivers.

Let’s dive into the first part of the recipe so you can get this beauty on the table tonight.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s a quick look at what you’ll need to pull this dish together:

• Boneless chicken breasts, sliced thin into fillets

• Salt and black pepper

• Garlic powder

• Paprika or smoked paprika

• Chili flakes or fresh chopped chili (adjust to your heat preference)

• Olive oil

• Butter

• Garlic cloves, minced

• Heavy cream

• Chicken broth

• Grated Parmesan cheese (optional, but delicious)

• Fresh parsley (for garnish)

STEP 1: Season the Chicken Fillets

Start by prepping your chicken. Slice the boneless chicken breasts into thin fillets—this helps them cook quickly and evenly. Then, season both sides generously with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.

Tip: If you have smoked paprika on hand, use it! It adds a deep, smoky flavor that pairs beautifully with the creaminess of the sauce.

STEP 2: Sear the Chicken to Golden Perfection

Heat a bit of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, lay the seasoned chicken fillets in the pan.

Let them sear undisturbed for about 4 to 5 minutes per side, until they’re golden brown and cooked through. You’re looking for that gorgeous golden crust—that’s where the flavor lives.

When they’re done, transfer the chicken to a plate and set them aside. Don’t worry, they’ll be coming back into the party soon.

STEP 3: Build the Spicy Garlic Base

Now, in the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and melt a knob of butter. Toss in the minced garlic and your choice of chili—either red pepper flakes or fresh chopped chili.

Sauté for just a minute or two until the garlic is fragrant but not browned. This is the moment your kitchen will start to smell incredible.

Pro Tip: Keep the heat on the lower side here—you don’t want the garlic to burn, just to bloom and infuse the butter with flavor.

Welcome back! Now that your chicken fillets are golden and resting off to the side, and your kitchen smells amazing from that garlicky, spicy butter base, it’s time to move into the most irresistible part of this recipe — the creamy, spicy garlic sauce.

This sauce is rich, bold, and loaded with flavor. It’s the kind of sauce that makes you want to dip everything in it — bread, veggies, a spoon… anything goes. And the best part? It all comes together in one pan, making cleanup a breeze. Let’s finish this dish strong.

STEP 4: Deglaze with Chicken Broth

Once the garlic and chili are nice and fragrant in the pan, pour in a splash of chicken broth (about 1/2 cup is perfect). Use a wooden spoon to scrape up all those golden bits stuck to the bottom of the skillet — that’s pure flavor gold, and it’s going to give your sauce real depth.

Let the broth simmer for about a minute to reduce just slightly and concentrate that flavor.

STEP 5: Add the Cream and Thicken the Sauce

Now it’s time to add the heavy cream — this is where everything gets creamy and dreamy. Pour in about 1 cup of heavy cream and stir to combine it with the garlicky broth.

Let the sauce come to a gentle simmer, not a full boil. You’ll notice it start to thicken slightly after a few minutes. Be patient and keep the heat low and steady — you want that silky smooth texture.

Optional Add-In: If you like things a bit cheesier (who doesn’t?), stir in 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese at this point. It adds a salty, nutty flavor that complements the cream and garlic beautifully.

STEP 6: Adjust Seasoning to Taste

Before bringing the chicken back to the pan, give your sauce a taste. This is your moment to make it your own:

• Want more heat? Add a pinch more chili flakes.

• Need a touch more salt or a crack of black pepper? Go for it.

• Want a deeper color and more smoky flavor? A tiny pinch more paprika won’t hurt.

This is the beauty of homemade — you get to tweak things just how you like them.

STEP 7: Return Chicken to the Pan

Slide your cooked chicken fillets back into the skillet and nestle them into that gorgeous sauce. Spoon the sauce over each fillet to coat them well.

Let everything simmer together for another 2-3 minutes so the chicken soaks up the flavors of the sauce and everything is piping hot and ready to serve.

Optional: You can cover the pan with a lid here if your fillets are on the thicker side, just to make sure everything is evenly heated through.

Finishing Touches and Serving Ideas

Before serving, sprinkle a bit of fresh chopped parsley over the top. It’s a small detail, but it adds a lovely freshness and pop of color to the dish.

Now for the fun part — deciding what to serve this over! Here are some of my favorite pairings:

• Mashed Potatoes – The ultimate comfort combo. That sauce was made to be poured over fluffy mashed potatoes.

• Steamed Rice – A simple base that lets the bold sauce shine.

• Pasta – Fettuccine or linguine are perfect for soaking up every creamy, garlicky drop.

• Crusty Bread – Not a traditional pairing, but dipping warm bread into this sauce is a next-level experience.

Tips and Variations

Want to make this dish your own? Here are a few ways to mix things up:

• Make it lighter: Swap out half the cream for whole milk or a plant-based alternative. It won’t be as rich, but it’ll still be creamy and flavorful.

• Go dairy-free: Use a dairy-free cream substitute (like coconut cream or oat-based cream) and skip the Parmesan. It’s still delicious!

• Add veggies: Sauté spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers in the pan after searing the chicken. They’ll absorb that garlic flavor and make the dish more wholesome.

• Switch the protein: This sauce would be fantastic with shrimp, pork chops, or even pan-seared tofu.