Easy Cream Cheese Chicken: Creamy, Delicious, and Ready in 30 Minutes
If you’re searching for a quick, comforting dinner that feels a little special, easy cream cheese chicken is the perfect recipe to try. This dish features tender chicken breasts cooked in a creamy, cheesy sauce made with simple ingredients like cream cheese, garlic, and chicken broth. It’s a quick meal that comes together in about 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights or when you want something satisfying without a lot of fuss. The creamy sauce coats every bite of chicken, creating a rich and flavorful experience that the whole family will love.
What makes this easy cream cheese chicken recipe stand out is how effortlessly it turns basic pantry staples into a restaurant-quality meal. You don’t need heavy cream or complicated steps; just a skillet, a few ingredients, and some love. Whether you serve it over rice, pasta, or with roasted vegetables, this dish is sure to become a favorite go-to for weeknight dinners or casual entertaining. Let’s walk through how to make this creamy chicken recipe step-by-step!
Why You’ll Love This Easy Cream Cheese Chicken
- Simple ingredients: Cream cheese, chicken, garlic, and broth are all you need.
- Fast cooking: Ready in about 30 minutes from start to finish.
- Versatile: Serve with rice, pasta, or veggies for a complete meal.
- Family-friendly: Mild, creamy flavors that kids and adults enjoy.
- No heavy cream needed: Cream cheese creates rich sauce without extra dairy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
| Ingredient | Notes |
| 1 ½ lbs boneless chicken breasts | Cut into strips or cutlets for quick cooking |
| 8 oz cream cheese | Softened, the star ingredient for creamy sauce |
| ¼ to ½ cup chicken broth | Adds moisture and flavor to the sauce |
| 2-3 cloves garlic | Minced for aromatic flavor |
| 1 small onion | Chopped, optional but adds sweetness |
| 1 tablespoon olive oil | For searing the chicken |
| 1-2 teaspoons Italian seasoning or herbs | Optional, for extra flavor |
| Salt and black pepper | To taste |
| ½ cup shredded mozzarella or Parmesan cheese | Optional, for cheesy topping or sauce enrichment |
| Fresh parsley (optional) | For garnish |
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Start by slicing your chicken breasts into strips or thin cutlets. This helps the chicken cook quickly and evenly. Season the chicken generously with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning or your favorite herbs.
Step 2: Sear the Chicken
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken strips and cook for about 5-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Step 3: Sauté Aromatics
In the same skillet, add chopped onions and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Step 4: Make the Creamy Sauce
Reduce heat to medium. Add chicken broth to the skillet and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add softened cream cheese and stir continuously until melted and smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add a little more broth to reach your desired consistency.
Step 5: Combine and Simmer
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, coating it well with the creamy sauce. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top if using, then cover and let simmer for 2-3 minutes so the flavors meld and the cheese melts.
Step 6: Serve
Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired. Serve the creamy chicken over steamed rice, pasta, or alongside roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
Tips for Perfect Cream Cheese Chicken
- Use room temperature cream cheese: It melts more easily and creates a smoother sauce.
- Don’t overcook the chicken: Cooking it just until done keeps it juicy and tender.
- Customize the herbs: Thyme, rosemary, or basil work beautifully if you want to switch up the flavor.
- Add veggies: Mushrooms, spinach, or bell peppers can be sautéed with the onions for extra nutrition.
- Make it spicy: Add red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne for a subtle heat.
Variations to Try
- Cream Cheese Chicken with Mushrooms: Add sliced mushrooms when sautéing onions for an earthy flavor.
- Garlic Herb Cream Cheese Chicken: Use fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme for a fragrant twist.
- Cheesy Cream Cheese Chicken: Mix Parmesan or mozzarella into the sauce for extra cheesiness.
- Slow Cooker Version: Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker and cook on low for 4-6 hours.
- Low-Carb Option: Serve over cauliflower rice or sautéed greens instead of pasta or rice.
How to Store and Reheat
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet or microwave, adding a splash of broth if sauce thickens.
- Freeze: Freeze cooked chicken and sauce separately for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.
FAQs
1. Can you use cream cheese for chicken?
Yes, cream cheese adds a creamy, rich flavor and is often used in stuffed chicken or sauces.
2. How to put cream cheese in chicken breast?
Slice a pocket in the thickest part of the breast, stuff it with a cream cheese mixture (often with herbs, spinach, or garlic), and bake or pan-sear.
3. How to turn cream cheese into a sauce?
Melt cream cheese with a bit of milk or cream over low heat. Stir until smooth. Add seasonings like garlic, pepper, or parmesan.
4. How to make cream cheese easier to mix?
Let it sit at room temperature for 30–60 minutes, or microwave it in 10-second bursts until soft.
5. Can you melt cream cheese?
Yes, cream cheese melts slowly and can become a smooth sauce if combined with a liquid like milk or broth.
6. Is cream cheese healthy?
It’s high in fat and calories, so enjoy in moderation. It offers some vitamin A and protein but isn’t considered a health food.
7. How to make cheese-it chicken?
Crush Cheez-Its, coat chicken with mayo or egg, press into the crushed crackers, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25–30 minutes.
8. Which cheese is best for chicken?
Mozzarella, cheddar, parmesan, provolone, and cream cheese are popular. It depends on the recipe—mozzarella for meltiness, parmesan for flavor.
9. What can I fill chicken breasts with?
Options include:
- Cream cheese & spinach
- Ham & Swiss
- Pesto & mozzarella
- Mushrooms & garlic
- Sun-dried tomatoes & goat cheese
Let me know if you want recipes for any of these
Related recipes:
- Cheesy Garlic Pull Apart Bread Recipe
- Parmesan Roasted Garlic Asparagus Recipe
- Slow Cooker French Dip Recipe
.Final Thoughts
Easy cream cheese chicken is a delicious, creamy, and comforting meal that comes together quickly with simple ingredients. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want something satisfying without complicated steps. With its rich sauce and tender chicken, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite. Try it tonight and enjoy a creamy, flavorful dinner that everyone will love
Easy Cream Cheese Chicken – Quick & Creamy Dinner Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 small onion chopped
- 8 oz white button mushrooms sliced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into strips
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 oz cream cheese regular or reduced-fat
- ¼ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- ¼ to ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Steamed rice for serving
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley optional
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat; sauté onions and mushrooms for 4-5 minutes, then add garlic and cook 30 seconds; season chicken strips with salt and pepper, increase heat to medium-high and sear chicken 6-8 minutes until golden; add cream cheese and chicken broth, stir until cream cheese melts; sprinkle mozzarella on top, cover and cook 2-3 minutes until chicken is fully cooked; season to taste and serve over steamed rice with parsley if desired.
