Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken (low carb + instant pot)

Need a quicker than quick and delicious meal that will satisfy your entire family? This garlic parmesan chicken is just the thing you need. It’s an easy chicken dinner and packed with flavor – this recipe belongs in your weeknight dinner rotation.  And if you don’t have an instant pot, I’ve got you covered with instructions for stovetop and oven method.  

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😍 Why You’ll Love this Garlic Parmesan Chicken

This dish brings a twist to classic French cuisine, crafted for today’s busy family. Imagine tender chicken smothered in a creamy garlic sauce made with rich cream and Parmesan cheese—delicious, right? Plus, it’s a win for low-carb fans with just 6g of carbs per serving! If you’re looking for quick and satisfying low-carb recipes this egg roll in a bowl and cabbage pizzas may also interest you!

🗒️ Ingredients

• boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• chicken broth or chicken stock or veggie broth works too!
• heavy cream
• Parmesan cheese
• garlic, minced (for that authentic garlic flavor) I like to use frozen cubes and garlic powder will work too, if that’s all you have!
• Italian seasoning (a mixture of spices for added depth)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• spinach (fresh or frozen)
• olive oil
• Fresh parsley

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👩🏻‍🍳 How to Make My Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken

Instant Pot Method

1. Sauté Function Activation:

 Set your Instant Pot to sauté mode. Add a little olive oil and minced garlic cloves, allowing them to sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.

2. Prepare the Chicken:

 Season the boneless skinless chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Add them to the bottom of the pot, searing each side for about 2-3 minutes until golden brown.

3. Pressure Cooking:

 Pour in the chicken broth, ensuring you scrape up any brown bits from the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon. This prevents a burn notice. Close the lid, set the valve to sealing, and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes.

4. Quick Release:

   Carefully execute a quick pressure release. Remove the cooked chicken and set it aside.

5. Creating the Creamy Sauce:

 Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese until the mixture is smooth. Add in the spinach and return the chicken to the pot, cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes until heated through.

📓 Best served with

  Serve this creamy garlic chicken over zucchini noodles or alongside a side salad for a complete meal. And there’s no denying it would also go really well with creamy mashed potatoes.  

👝 How to Store Leftovers

Refrigeration: Once chicken has cooled and has come to room temperature, store any leftovers in an airtight container. It can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Make sure to place the container at the back of the fridge where it’s coldest.

Freezing: For longer storage, you can freeze the creamy garlic chicken. Place the chicken and sauce in freezer-safe containers or resealable plastic bags, removing as much air as possible. Label with the date and freeze for up to 2 months.

Reheating: To reheat, thaw the frozen chicken overnight in the refrigerator. Warm it in a skillet over medium heat or in an oven set to 350°F (175°C) until thoroughly heated. Avoid reheating in the microwave, as it can cause the chicken to become rubbery and the sauce to separate.

🧠 Common Questions

Can I use chicken thighs?

Chicken thighs and breasts are both excellent sources of lean protein, but they have their differences when it comes to calories and fat content! For instance, a 3-ounce skinless chicken breast packs in about 140 calories, with just 3 grams of total fat and a mere 1 gram of saturated fat. On the flip side, the same serving of dark meat without the skin offers 170 calories, 9 grams of total fat, and 3 grams of saturated fat. While the difference may seem small, it can really add up depending on your portion size. So, whether you prefer the light and lean breast or the rich, flavorful thigh, being mindful of these differences can help you make the best choice for your meal!

You can use chicken thighs for this recipe, just keep in mind cook time will be slightly longer especially if you use bone in vs boneless chicken thighs.

​What if I don’t have an instant pot or pressure cooker?

If you don’t have an Instant Pot, don’t worry! You can still enjoy this creamy garlic chicken using a stovetop and an oven, cooking time will just be a bit longer. Here’s how:

1. Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Sear the Chicken: In a large oven-safe skillet, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Season your chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then sear them in the skillet for about 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove the chicken and set it aside.
3. Prepare the Sauce: In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add a bit more olive oil if needed. Sauté minced garlic for about 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
4. Add Ingredients: Stir in the Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth. Add the spinach and return the chicken pieces to the skillet in a single layer.
5. Bake: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 20-25 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has slightly thickened. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C).
6. Serve: Once done, remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. 

​Can this recipe really fit into a healthy diet?  

​Yes!  Let me explain.  While this recipe seems high in fat, it’s also high in protein and very satisfying.  I don’t recommend a high fat meal like this every day, but when we focus on low carb days, the majority of calories need to come from fat to gain the benefits of carb cycling.  (We talk about this more in my weight loss program called The FASTer Way).  

🍎 Nutritional Information

For those counting macros, here’s what you can expect from each serving (1 chicken breast in sauce):

• Calories: 250
• Fat: 30g
• Protein: 40g
• Carbohydrates: 6g
• Fiber: 1g

This recipe makes 4 servings.  

👯‍♀️ Get social!

I love sharing great recipes and hearing from you! Snap a picture of your creamy garlic chicken, share it on social media, and tag me, @miss_nutritious_eats.