This Easy Cream Cheese Chicken is a quick 30-minute meal that transforms a simple block of cream cheese into a rich, creamy garlic herb sauce. Made with pantry staples and minimal prep, it’s the perfect weeknight dinner!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If you’ve ever wondered what to make with cream cheese, this dish is the answer. Tender, juicy chicken breasts are smothered in a velvety sauce that’s both savory and slightly tangy from the cream cheese. It’s an effortless recipe with simple ingredients, but the flavor makes it feel like a special dinner.
- Ready in 30 minutes.
- Made with budget-friendly pantry staples.
- Creamy, comforting, and family-approved.
Pair it with mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta for a complete meal.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Chicken breasts – boneless, skinless, cut into thinner cutlets for faster cooking.
- Cream cheese – I recommend Philadelphia for the best creamy texture.
- Garlic powder, salt & pepper – simple seasoning for the chicken.
- Butter + olive oil – for pan-frying.
- Onion + garlic – classic aromatics for building flavor.
- Chicken broth – the base of the sauce.
- Italian seasoning – a convenient blend of dried herbs.
- Red pepper flakes – optional, but they add gentle warmth without too much heat.
- Fresh parsley – for garnish (optional).
How to Make Cream Cheese Chicken
- Prep the chicken
- Slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise for even cooking.
- Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Cook the chicken
- Heat butter and oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Pan fry the chicken for 5–6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (165°F).
- Transfer to a plate and keep warm.
- Make the sauce
- In the same skillet, sauté the onions until softened, then stir in garlic.
- Add chicken broth, cubed cream cheese, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes.
- Stir until the cream cheese melts and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Combine and serve
- Return the chicken to the skillet and coat with the sauce.
- Adjust seasoning as needed, garnish with parsley, and serve hot.
Recipe Tips
- Soften the cream cheese in the microwave before adding it—it melts into the sauce faster.
- The sauce is naturally thick but can be thinned with extra broth or water if needed.
- Use chicken thighs instead of breasts if you prefer juicier meat.
Variations
- Replace half the broth with white wine for extra flavor.
- Add smoked paprika for a hint of smokiness.
- Stir in spinach or mushrooms for a veggie boost.
What to Serve With Cream Cheese Chicken
This rich, creamy chicken pairs well with:
- Mashed Potatoes or buttered noodles
- Steamed vegetables like broccoli, carrots, or asparagus
- A fresh green salad with balsamic dressing
Leftovers & Storage
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days.
- Reheat gently on the stove over low heat.
- Not recommended for freezing, as the sauce may change texture.
More Cream Cheese Recipes You’ll Love
- Cream Cheese Pasta Sauce
- Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes
- Creamy Southwest Chicken
- Cream Cheese Smoked Sausage Pasta
Easy Cream Cheese Chicken Recipe
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 2 large chicken breasts
- 8 oz cream cheese (block, softened)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ¾ cup chicken broth
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions:
- Slice chicken into 4 thin cutlets. Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Heat butter and oil in a skillet over medium-high. Cook chicken 5–6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (165°F). Remove and set aside.
- Add onions to the skillet and sauté for 5–7 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic for 30 seconds.
- Add chicken broth, softened cream cheese, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Stir until smooth and creamy.
- Return chicken to the skillet, coat in sauce, and heat through. Adjust seasoning, garnish with parsley, and serve immediately.