Name: 5 Ingredient Creamy Garlic Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon butter; 3 garlic cloves, grated or minced; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 1 cup chicken broth (or stock); 1 cup cream or half and half, warmed; 1 tablespoon cornstarch; 3 tablespoons cold water

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Introduction

This creamy garlic sauce is a simple yet flavorful addition to your meals, made with just five key ingredients. Ready in about 20 minutes, it pairs perfectly with chicken, pasta, or vegetables for a comforting dish.

The image shows a white pan on a white marbled surface filled with four golden brown, pan-seared chicken breasts. The chicken pieces have a crispy, slightly charred texture on top and are partly covered in a creamy, pale yellow sauce sprinkled with black pepper and herbs. The sauce looks smooth and thick, filling the bottom of the pan around the chicken. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 tablespoon butter
3 garlic cloves (grated or minced)
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 cup chicken broth (or stock)
1 cup cream or half and half (warmed)
1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
3 tablespoons cold water (optional, for thickening slurry)

Instructions

Step 1: Warm the cream or half and half to room temperature or slightly warmed to help it incorporate smoothly into the sauce. Finely grate or mince the garlic cloves to release their full flavor.
Step 2: Heat a large pan over medium heat and melt the butter. Add the grated garlic and sauté for about one minute, stirring continuously until fragrant but not browned. Stir in the Italian seasoning and toast the herbs lightly.
Step 3: Pour the chicken broth and warmed cream into the pan. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 5 minutes to slightly reduce and thicken naturally.
Step 4: If you want a thicker sauce, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 3 tablespoons of cold water until smooth to make a slurry. Slowly add this to the simmering sauce while stirring continuously. Simmer for another 5 minutes until thickened, then turn off the heat.
Step 5: Serve the creamy garlic sauce immediately over cooked chicken breasts, mashed potatoes, or toss it with freshly cooked pasta for an easy flavor boost.

Tips & Variations

For a vegetarian version, substitute vegetable broth for the chicken broth.
Add freshly chopped parsley or basil at the end for a burst of color and freshness.
Use half and half for a lighter sauce or heavy cream for a richer texture.
Keep garlic finely minced to avoid large pieces in the sauce and ensure even flavor distribution.

Storage

Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, stirring frequently to prevent separation. If the sauce thickens too much after cooling, whisk in a splash of broth or cream while reheating to restore its consistency.

How to Serve

The image shows a white skillet filled with five golden brown cooked chicken breasts sitting on a creamy white sauce. The chicken has a slightly crisp texture with herbs sprinkled all over, adding specks of dark green and black. The creamy sauce beneath the chicken is smooth and glossy, filling the base of the skillet, creating a nice contrast with the browned chicken on top. The skillet rests on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this sauce without cream?

You can substitute cream with milk or half and half, but the sauce will be less rich. Adding a little extra butter can help maintain the creamy texture.

How can I prevent the garlic from burning?

Keep the heat at medium and stir constantly when cooking the garlic. Remove it from heat if it starts browning too quickly to avoid bitterness.