There’s something about a dish like Rustic Creamy Garlic Chicken that feels like a warm hug from your favorite grandma. It’s the kind of meal that takes you back to homecooked dinners, where the smell of fresh garlic and butter fills the kitchen, and you know you’re about to eat something downright comforting.
The chicken, golden and crispy, simmers in a garlicky sauce with white wine and mustard, making every bite a little taste of heaven. It’s a simple rustic chicken recipe with big flavors, guaranteed to make you feel like a total kitchen hero—whether it’s your first time making it or your fiftieth.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- Chicken (bone-in, skin-on pieces): Chicken thighs or breasts work well here, but bone-in chicken thighs bring even more flavor. Boneless skinless chicken breasts can be substituted, but you may miss the juiciness that bone-in pieces provide.
- Sea Salt & Black Pepper: Season generously to bring out the natural flavor of the chicken.
- Wondra Flour: For dredging and creating a golden, crispy crust on the chicken. A light sprinkle of flour is all you need. I like using Wondra Flour for light dredging so that I don't end up with a heavy coating.
- Olive Oil: Helps to brown the chicken.
- Butter: Melt butter to add richness and to brown both the chicken and garlic.
- Garlic Cloves (whole head, peeled): The star of the show! When sautéed, the cloves of garlic mellow and sweeten to perfection.
- Dry White Wine: Adds depth and deglazes the pan, pulling up those brown bits for extra flavor.
- Better than Bouillon Chicken Base: A concentrated chicken broth booster that adds a ton of savory flavor to the sauce.
- Grainy Mustard: Adds a tangy bite that balances the creaminess of the sauce.
- Lemon Juice: A splash of brightness to wake up the savory sauce.
- Heavy Cream: The base of that luscious garlic gravy.
- Dried Thyme/Fresh Thyme Leaves: Perfectly fragrant, these herbs are a natural pairing with chicken.
- Fresh Parsley: Chopped for garnish, adding a fresh pop of color.
- Crumbled Bacon: For extra indulgence, top your chicken with crumbled bacon to add a smoky, savory touch.
Equipment You’ll Need:
- Oven-safe Dutch oven or large skillet: You’ll want something that can go from the stove top to the centre of the oven for this one-pot meal.
- Tongs: For flipping the chicken.
- Sharp knife and cutting board: To prep the garlic and chicken.
- Measuring spoons and cups: Precision matters, especially with sauce ingredients.
- Wooden spoon: Perfect for stirring and scraping up those brown bits (aka flavor gold).
How to Make Rustic Creamy Garlic Chicken:
- Start by seasoning your chicken pieces with sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper, then dredge them lightly in flour, shaking off any excess.
- Heat up a hot skillet with olive oil and a knob of butter until it’s nice and sizzling. Brown the chicken on all sides—this is where the magic starts.
- Once golden, carefully remove the chicken and set it aside.
- In the same skillet or Dutch oven, melt more butter and toss in a whole head’s worth of garlic cloves (yep, cloves of garlic everywhere!). Let them get fragrant and golden, then deglaze the pan with white wine. Scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan—those are packed with flavor.
- Stir in your mustard, bouillon, lemon juice, and heavy cream to start building that savory sauce. Add dried thyme or fresh thyme leaves for a bit of earthy fragrance.
- Let the sauce simmer and thicken slightly. Taste the sauce—this is your moment to adjust for seasoning perfection.
- Return the chicken to the skillet, nestling it into the garlicky sauce, and finish cooking either on the stove top or in the centre of the oven for about 10 minutes. The sauce should coat the back of a spoon and cling deliciously to the chicken.
- Here you'll notice that I placed my chicken in a large baking dish, which is an option if you don't have enough room in your skillet.
- Garnish chicken with fresh parsely and crumbled bacon.
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Chef Secrets for Success:
- Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs: These are the best for adding flavor and keeping the meat tender and juicy. If you prefer using boneless skinless chicken breasts, make sure not to overcook them.
- Don’t skip the flour: A light dredge in flour helps the chicken get crispy and also thickens the creamy garlic gravy as it simmers. Using Wondra Flour is a great trick here—its finer texture ensures a light, crispy coating without a heavy, breaded feel.
- Deglazing the pan: Those little brown bits (fond) at the bottom of the pan hold a ton of flavor. When you deglaze with wine or a cup of chicken broth, it pulls all that goodness into your savory sauce.
- Patience is key: Let the sauce simmer on low heat to ensure the garlic softens and melds with the other flavors.
Serving Suggestions:
- Try my Homestyle Mashed Potatoes: Perfect for soaking up every drop of that garlicky sauce.
- Egg Noodles: A great base for the chicken and garlic gravy.
- Sauteed Garlic Butter Green Beans: Crisp, fresh green beans balance out the richness of the creamy sauce.
- Crusty Bread: You’ll definitely want something to mop up the sauce—this is not a meal where you leave any behind.
Commonly Asked Questions:
Can I use boneless chicken breasts?
Absolutely! Just adjust the cooking time to prevent them from drying out.
Can I skip the wine?
Sure thing! You can replace it with a cup of chicken broth, and your sauce will still be delicious.
What kind of wine should I use?
A dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio works best, adding a tangy brightness to the sauce.
Can I add vegetables?
Definitely! Mushrooms or spinach would be great additions to the skillet for extra flavor and nutrition.
Storing and Reheating Tips:
Leftovers? Store the chicken and sauce in an airtight container for up to three days in the fridge.
Reheat gently on the stove top over low heat, adding a splash of broth to loosen up the sauce, which thickens as it cools.
Avoid the microwave if possible—it tends to dry out the chicken. This is one of those complete meals that reheats beautifully!
This Rustic Garlic Chicken recipe brings all the cozy vibes and garlicky goodness. Whether you're whipping it up for a casual family dinner or a special gathering, it’s the kind of delicious meal that makes everyone feel at home.
More Comfort Food Recipes
- Creamy Chicken Pot Pie
- Homemade Swedish Meatballs
- Homestyle Meatloaf with Brown Sugar-Ketchup Glaze
- Salmon Florentine
Rustic Creamy Garlic Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken cut into 8 pieces
- 1 teaspoon Sea Salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup Wondra flour for dredging
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 tablespoons butter divided
- 1 head garlic cloves peeled
- ½ cup dry white wine
- 1 tablespoon Better than Bouillon Chicken Base
- 1 tablespoon grainy mustard
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 tablespoons fresh Parsley chopped
- ¼ pound bacon cut into small pieces and fried crisp
Instructions
- Fry bacon until very crispy, drain on paper towels and set aside for later.
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- Deglaze the pan by adding ½ cup of white wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
- Stir in the chicken bouillon, grainy mustard, and lemon juice. Bring the mixture to a boil and let it simmer for about 5 minutes, allowing it to slightly thicken.
- Add the cream, half of the parsley, and the dried thyme to the pan, then return the chicken to the skillet. Continue cooking for another 20 minutes (for bone-in chicken), or until the sauce has reduced and the chicken is fully cooked. The sauce should lightly coat the back of a spoon.
- Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if necessary.
- Garnish with the remaining fried crumbled bacon and parsley and serve.
Nutrition
*Nutrition information is automatically calculated based on ingredient data and should be considered an estimate. When multiple ingredient options are provided, the first listed is used for calculation. Optional ingredients and garnishes are not included in the nutrition analysis.
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