33 Creamy Chicken Recipes To Add To Your Dinner Rotation ASAP
Chicken Alfredo is just the beginning...
It’s no secret that we (and you!) LOVE chicken dinners. Baked chicken, chicken and rice, chicken and pasta, grilled chicken, chicken soup… it’s truly versatile enough to have nearly every night of the week. Though we do like to switch things up in our meal rotation, one preparation we always return to is a creamy chicken dish. There’s something extra special about how savory chicken can soak up a velvety, rich sauce (one of these recipes even prompted the phrase, “OH MY GOD THAT'S MARRIAGE MATERIAL” from just one bite, so you know they're good). Check out our 33 creamy chicken dinners for ideas—we know you’ll find a new fave among them.
First things first—when we say “creamy,” what do we even mean? It’s true, a lot of the recipes here do include heavy cream as an ingredient, but it’s not as easy as just pouring it into a pan and cooking your chicken in it. Instead, you’re going to want to start by building a base of flavor using aromatics like garlic and onion, then decide which route to take with your creamy sauce. If you want to keep things simple, just add some herbs, spices, and a veggie or two (and maybe a little extra broth or wine for depth of flavor). Our creamy Tuscan chicken, our Marry Me chicken, our creamy basil chicken skillet with corn & tomato, or our creamy garlic chicken all do so to great effect.
If you want to take things a little further, try adding in pasta to help soak up that delicious sauce. One of our forever favorites has gotta be gnocchi. Check out our one-pan lemon Parm chicken gnocchi, our creamy pesto baked gnocchi & chicken skillet, our slow-cooker creamy gnocchi soup, or our one-pan creamy chicken & gnocchi to see just how perfectly it pairs with creamy chicken. Gnocchi not for you? Fettuccine is a close second in our book (you didn’t think we’d snub chicken Alfredo, did you?).
Lastly, though heavy cream is a power player in creamy chicken recipes, it’s not the only option out there. Coconut milk, sour cream, and other dairy (and non-dairy!) options are just as good at adding that creamy texture. Try our chicken madras, our Thai chicken coconut soup, our one-pan green chile chicken & rice, or our one-pan coconut-lime chicken to see just how good it can be, then add these recipes to your dinner rotation to shake things up a bit.
Not a chicken fan? (😱) Not to worry—check out our top steak, seafood, and vegetarian dinners too.
Creamy Tuscan Chicken
When it comes to chicken breast recipes, it's hard to beat this one. The sauce is simple but so flavorful thanks to garlic, tomatoes, and most importantly, cream. It's bright and easy and just as good in the summer as it is in the winter, whether you're craving comfort food or a dinner fancy enough for guests.
Get the Creamy Tuscan Chicken recipe.
One-Pan Creamy Chicken & Gnocchi
When everything cooks together, everyone wins. The chicken here finishes cooking in the sauce, making it the easiest comfort food meal ever. It's what weeknight dinner dreams are made of!
Creamy Garlic Chicken
Calling all garlic lovers! If you’re the type to use a whole head of garlic when a recipe only calls for one or two cloves, this is the chicken dinner for you. The best part? This whole recipe comes together in just 35 minutes, all in one pot.
Get the Creamy Garlic Chicken recipe.
One-Pot Chicken Alfredo
Oh, chicken Alfredo: It's the classic pasta we just can't seem to get enough of. Of course, there are tons of jarred pasta sauces you can buy, but making Alfredo sauce from scratch is actually so easy.
Get the One-Pot Chicken Alfredo recipe.
Marry Me Chicken
If you're looking for a chicken dinner so good jaws will drop, this is the recipe for you. Chicken breasts are seared until golden, before being baked with a simple (but extremely satisfying) cream sauce. The result is a chicken dinner so good, you just might get a proposal by the last bite.
Get the Marry Me Chicken recipe.
One-Pan Coconut-Lime Chicken
If our creamy Tuscan chicken is a mainstay at your house, this recipe is going to be just the thing to shake up your weeknight dinner routine. We paired quick-cooking chicken cutlets with a spicy-sweet coconut milk sauce that’s out-of-this-world tasty.
Get the One-Pan Coconut-Lime Chicken recipe.
Chicken Pot Pie
Truly comfort food at its finest, chicken pot pie represents the addictive marriage of a flaky, buttery crust with diced chicken, onions, carrots, and peas in a creamy sauce. While it's a dish that you can easily find pre-made in almost any grocery freezer aisle, we strongly believe that making your own is worth it.
Get the Chicken Pot Pie recipe.
Indian Butter Chicken
Butter chicken is one of the most popular dishes at most Indian restaurants, and for good reason. This chicken recipe uses deeply flavored chicken thighs, simmered in an ultra-silky and aromatic sauce of tomatoes, cream, and cashews. Spoon this dish over steamed rice or serve with warm naan for the perfect dinner.
Get the Indian Butter Chicken recipe.
One-Pan Green Chile Chicken & Rice
The rice in this one-pan dish reminds us of the perfect filling for a burrito, where it’s cheesy, creamy, and a little bit spicy, without being wildly hot. It’s a great meal when you're feeling lazy but craving something cozy and flavorful.
Chicken Dijon
In the vein of chicken scallopini and our fan fave one-pan chicken & gnocchi, this dish is an ultra-creamy affair with simple seasoning, best if served over cooked rice, angel hair pasta, or crusty sourdough bread so that you have something to soak up every last bit of deliciousness.
Get the Chicken Dijon recipe.
Thai Chicken Coconut Soup
Known as Tom Kha Ghai, this coconut soup is one we're always craving. The creamy coconut paired with ginger and lime gives this soup its unique and delicious flavor. This Thai soup is also traditionally topped with a chili oil to give it some heat—if you're not a spice fan, don't worry, the creamy coconut milk helps mellow it out.
Get the Thai Chicken Coconut Soup recipe.
Chicken Tikka Alfredo
This recipe marries two of our favorite creamy comfort foods, spicy chicken tikka masala and rich, garlicky fettuccine Alfredo. Weirdly enough, Parmesan and curry are a pretty incredible pairing!
Get the Chicken Tikka Alfredo recipe.
Crockpot White Chicken Chili
Our slow-cooker white chicken chili couldn't be easier, and we love the texture it takes on once the beans are partially mashed. It might feel weird to use a potato masher in your slow cooker, but trust us, it's worth it! This hearty chili will keep you full all winter long.
Get the Crockpot White Chicken Chili recipe.
Chicken Madras
If you love spice, you’ve got to try this chicken Madras recipe. Spiked with a potent blend of freshly ground spices and soothed with rich coconut milk, this chicken curry is equal parts spicy, creamy, and downright delicious.
Get the Chicken Madras recipe.
One-Pan Lemon Parm Chicken Gnocchi
This dish is warm and comforting, but still simple and fresh. The lemon brightens the sauce and makes this a feel-good weeknight dinner everyone will love. Served with a simple Caesar salad, it becomes the perfect meal.
Chicken Scallopini
Most chicken scallopini recipes call for a lemon-caper sauce, which makes the dish almost indistinguishable from chicken piccata. We departed from the piccata herd and went instead for tender mushrooms and a hint of wine, lemon, and broth, capped off with a dash of rich cream: scaloppine ai funghi.
Get the Chicken Scallopini recipe.
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Soup
Here at Delish, we’re pretty passionate about our jalapeño poppers. Loaded with shredded chicken and diced jalapeños and topped with cheddar and crispy bacon, this recipe has everything you love most about the classic appetizer, in comforting soup form.
Get the Jalapeño Popper Chicken Soup recipe.
Creamy Pesto Baked Gnocchi & Chicken Skillet
What isn’t pesto good in? It’s a sauce that turns any dish into kitchen gold, especially this totally comforting and delicious gnocchi and chicken bake. For the perfect pesto touch, stir a dollop into the tomato mixture to coat everything, then dollop the top with more right out of the oven for a fresh finish.
Get the Creamy Pesto Baked Gnocchi & Chicken Skillet recipe.
Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken & Potato Soup
Prep everything in the morning and then come home at night to this delightful slow-cooker soup that will please everyone. No need to sear or use any other skillet! The slow cooker makes the chicken completely fall apart and the potatoes creamy and tender, while your favorite curry powder helps spice up the dish and make it something special.
Chicken & Dumplings
This easy recipe is perfect on a cold night and simple enough to make when you don't feel like making anything. If you want an even easier route, we have the perfect slow-cooker version too!
Get the Chicken & Dumplings recipe.
Camille Lowder is the digital food producer at Delish, otherwise known as our resident queen of recipe galleries. Previously, she attended the Natural Gourmet Institute for culinary school and worked at/managed a number of New York restaurants. She loves anything vegan, foods masquerading as other foods (hello, cauliflower), and a well-used Oxford comma.
