If you’re a chicken lover who’s looking for a truly comforting dinner at home, “Chicken and Green Peas in Garlic Herb Sauce” is perfect for you. Chicken and green peas are a great option for those who want to spend hours in the kitchen.
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Chicken and Green Peas in Garlic Herb Sauce : Chicken and Green Peas
Creamy Chicken and Green Peas is prepared by slowly cooking tender chicken pieces until golden brown, then simmering them with sweet green peas in a thick, silky cream sauce flavored with garlic, onion, herbs, and Parmesan cheese.
This easy chicken dinner is perfect for busy weeknights, Sunday family meals, or any time you’re craving a warm and satisfying meal.
The creamy sauce goes great with mashed potatoes, rice, pasta, egg noodles, or crusty bread.
Unlike more complex cream-based recipes, this one uses simple ingredients readily available at most American grocery stores. The result is a delicious comfort food that’s ready in as little as 30 to 35 minutes.
Why we love this chicken and peas recipe:
- Super easy for weeknights
- All ingredients use readily available items from the pantry and refrigerator
- Creamy and easy to prepare
- A delicious combination of tender chicken and sweet green peas
- Ready in less than 30 minutes
- Perfect to serve with pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes
- Perfect for a family meal
- A great opportunity to use basic ingredients to turn them into a complete meal
- To make creamy chicken and green peas in garlic herb sauce, gather all the ingredients first, making preparation easier and ensuring you don’t forget anything.
Ingredients for the Chicken:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast or thigh
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Ingredients for the Creamy Sauce:
- 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup frozen green peas
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- Pepper and salt to taste
Ingredients for Add-ins, optional:
- This creamy chicken recipe can be easily customized with:
- Chopped baby spinach
- Sliced mushrooms
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Sliced carrots
- Squeezed lemon juice
- Fresh basil
- Cooked bacon
- To make a lighter version, you can use whole milk instead of heavy cream, but the sauce will be less thick.
How to Make Chicken and Green Peas in Garlic Herb Sauce Full instructions:
1. Preparing the Chicken
- First, pat the chicken dry with a paper towel.
- This allows the chicken to brown evenly instead of steaming in the pan.
- If using chicken breast, cut a thick piece crosswise or grind it finely to make it evenly thick.
- Season it on both sides with black pepper, kosher salt, and paprika.
2. Browning the Chicken
- Use a large skillet.
- Prepare it over medium-high heat.
- Add the olive oil and butter.
- Once the butter melts, add the chicken to the skillet.
- Cook the chicken for 5 to 6 minutes on all sides, depending on the thickness, until golden brown and thoroughly cooked.
- For best doneness, the internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F when checked with an instant-read thermometer.
- Remove the cooked chicken to a plate and cover it lightly with foil.
3. Sauteing the Onions and Garlic
- Reduce the heat to medium-low.
- Add the chopped onion to the same skillet.
- Simmer for 3 minutes, or until softened.
- Add the minced garlic and cook, stirring constantly, for about 30 seconds, making sure the garlic doesn’t burn.
- The brown bits left in the skillet add extra flavor to the cream sauce.
4. Making the Sauce
- Sprinkle the flour over the onions and garlic.
- Stir constantly for 35 to 45 seconds.
- This creates a very simple process that helps thicken the sauce.
- Slowly add the chicken broth and whisk or stir well.
- Scrap the bottom of the pan thoroughly to remove any delicious brown bits.
- Simmer the broth for 2 minutes.
5. Add the Cream
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and slowly add the heavy cream.
- Keep stirring until the broth and cream are well combined.
- Add the Italian seasoning, thyme, and red pepper flakes, if using.
- Now bring the sauce to a gentle boil for about 4 minutes.
- Avoid boiling it too much, as high heat can cause the cream to separate from the sauce.
6. Adding Green Peas
- Add the frozen green peas directly to the sauce.
- Cook for about 4 minutes, or until the peas are thoroughly heated.
- Frozen peas are especially great because they’re convenient and retain their sweet flavor.
7. Adding Parmesan
- Reduce the heat and add freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
- Continue stirring until the cheese melts and becomes smooth and creamy.
- Taste the sauce and adjust the salt and pepper if needed.
8. Adding the Chicken
- Return the cooked chicken to the pan.
- Drink the lightly creamy pea sauce over the chicken.
- Cook on low heat for another 3 minutes, allowing the chicken to absorb the light sauce and warm through.
9. Garnish and Serve
- Turn off the heat, then sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the dish.
- For added brightness, add a little fresh lemon juice before serving.
- Serve immediately once the sauce is warm and creamy.
- Now you can enjoy the chicken and green peas in garlic herb sauce.
Serving Suggestions for Chicken and Green Peas:
Chicken and Green Peas in Garlic Herb Sauce goes great with a variety of classic American side dishes.
- Mashed Potatoes
- Rice
- Crusty Bread
- Pasta
- With Roasted Vegetables
- Enjoy serving Chicken and Green Peas in Garlic Herb Sauce.
Tips for Cooking:
Chicken and Green Peas in Garlic Herb Sauce is a wonderful recipe. To improve it, follow these tips:
- Avoid overcooking the chicken. Be sure to use freshly grated Parmesan.
- The creamy sauce should not be brought to a boil.
- Be sure to let the chicken rest.
- Be sure to adjust the consistency of the sauce.
- Add the lemon zest at the end.
A few variations for creamy chicken and green peas:
chicken and green peas in a garlic herb sauce is a wonderful recipe, but if you’d like to add some more variation, check out these:
Creamy Mushroom Chicken and Peas: After cooking the onions, add 8 ounces of sliced mushrooms. Continue to sauté the mushrooms until browned before adding the sauce.
Spinach Chicken and Peas: Add 2 cups of fresh baby spinach in the last few minutes of cooking and mix well.
Bacon Chicken and Peas: Cook 4 to 5 slices of bacon until crispy, then remove the bacon and use a small amount of rendered fat with butter to cook the chicken. Crumble the bacon over the prepared dish.
Lemon Herb Chicken and Peas: Increase the fresh lemon juice and add extra parsley and thyme for more flavor.
Spicy Creamy Chicken: If you prefer a little spice, add extra red pepper flakes or a generous amount of cayenne pepper.
Final Thoughts
Chicken and Green Peas in Garlic Herb Sauce is a comforting home-cooked dinner that easily becomes a part of your regular weeknight rotation. Golden chicken, sweet green peas, garlic, herbs, Parmesan, and a velvety cream sauce combine in one pan to create a satisfying meal with a rich, rich flavor.
It can be served with mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta, and topped with a simple green salad or roasted vegetables for a hearty dinner. With simple ingredients and easy cooking techniques, this creamy chicken recipe is perfect for busy families and anyone who has practical choices and enjoys comforting home-cooked meals.