Look no farther than cream cheese sauce for chicken if you’re trying for a sauce that gives your chicken meals a rich, creamy taste. Perfectly matched with grilled, roasted, or pan-seared chicken, this sauce is rather flexible. Using cream cheese as the basis produces a rich and delectable sauce with a velvety finish that enhances any dish.
Why You’ll Love Cream Cheese Sauce for Chicken
Here are a few reasons why this sauce is going to be a go-to in your kitchen:
- Creamy and Rich: The cream cheese creates a thick, smooth sauce that adds depth to any chicken dish.
- Simple Ingredients: You probably already have most of these ingredients on hand.
- Quick to Make: This sauce comes together in just 10 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Versatile: You can customize it with herbs, spices, or even other cheeses to create different flavor profiles.
- Great for Leftovers: The sauce stays creamy and reheats well, making it perfect for leftover chicken.
How to Use Cream Cheese Sauce for Chicken
This cream cheese sauce is incredibly versatile, and it can be used in many different ways to enhance your chicken dishes:
- Grilled Chicken: Drizzle the sauce over grilled chicken breasts or thighs for a rich and creamy finish.
- Baked Chicken: Serve the sauce with baked chicken to add extra flavor and moisture.
- Pan-Seared Chicken: Pour the sauce over pan-seared chicken for a restaurant-quality meal that’s perfect for special occasions.
- Chicken Alfredo: Use this sauce as a base for a chicken Alfredo dish, tossing it with pasta and chicken for a creamy, comforting dinner.
- Chicken with Vegetables: Serve it alongside roasted or sautéed vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, or spinach to complete your meal.
What You’ll Need to Make Cream Cheese Sauce for Chicken
Equipment and Tools
Here are the kitchen tools you’ll need to make this creamy sauce:
- A medium saucepan
- A whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- A wooden spoon or spatula
Ingredients and Substitutions
Here’s a breakdown of the essential ingredients for cream cheese sauce for chicken:
- Butter (2 tablespoons unsalted): This adds richness to the sauce. Olive oil can be used as a substitute for a lighter or dairy-free version.
- Cream Cheese (4 oz, softened): The main ingredient that gives the sauce its creamy texture. To make it lighter, you can use low-fat cream cheese.
- Garlic (1 clove, minced): Fresh garlic adds depth to the flavor. If you don’t have fresh garlic, you can use garlic powder instead
- Milk (½ cup): Helps to thin the sauce to the desired consistency. Whole milk will give a richer result, but you can use any type of milk or dairy-free alternatives.
- Parmesan Cheese (¼ cup, grated): Adds a sharp, cheesy flavor that complements the cream cheese. If you prefer, you can substitute with nutritional yeast for a dairy-free option.
- Salt and Pepper: Season to taste to balance the flavors.
How to Make
Follow these simple steps to make your rich and creamy cream cheese sauce for chicken:
Step 1: Melt the Butter
Melt the butter over medium-low heat in a medium-sized pot. Stir occasionally to prevent the butter from burning.
Step 2: Add Garlic
When the butter melts, add the chopped garlic and cook for about one minute, until the garlic smells good. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
Step 3: Stir in the Cream Cheese
Add the softened cream cheese to the pan. Stir continuously with a whisk or spoon until the cream cheese melts and combines with the butter, creating a smooth base for the sauce.
Step 4: Pour in the Milk
Slowly pour in the milk while whisking to ensure the sauce is smooth and lump-free. Continue stirring until the sauce starts to thicken.
Step 5: Add Parmesan Cheese
Stir in the grated parmesan cheese and whisk until fully melted and combined. At this point, the sauce should be thick and smooth.
Step 6: Season and Simmer
Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Let it simmer on low heat for 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Step 7: Serve Over Chicken
Once the sauce is ready, remove it from the heat and drizzle it over your cooked chicken. Enjoy this creamy, flavorful sauce with your meal!
Variations for Cream Cheese Sauce for Chicken
Here are a few variations to customize your cream cheese sauce:
- Herb-Infused Sauce: Add fresh or dried herbs like basil, thyme, or parsley to the sauce for added flavor.
- Spicy Cream Cheese Sauce: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.
- Cheddar Cream Cheese Sauce: Stir in ¼ cup of shredded cheddar cheese for a sharp, cheesy twist on the original recipe.
- Dairy-Free Version: Use vegan butter, dairy-free cream cheese, and almond milk for a completely dairy-free sauce.
Tips for Making the Best Cream Cheese Sauce for Chicken
- Before adding the cream cheese to the pan, make sure it has melted. This allows it to melt more easily and prevents lumps.
- Whisk constantly as you add the milk to the cream cheese mixture to prevent a lumpy sauce.
- If the sauce appears excessively thick, dilute it with a small amount of milk. Should it be overly thin, simmer for a few more minutes to thicken.
- Store any leftover cream cheese sauce refrigerated in an airtight jar for up to three days.
- Reheat the sauce gradually in a skillet over low heat; if needed, add a little milk to help the sauce regain its creamy consistency.
Serving Recommendations
This cream cheese sauce for chicken pairs beautifully with:
- Grilled Chicken Breasts or Thighs: Drizzle the sauce over grilled chicken for an elevated meal.
- Roasted Vegetables: Serve the sauce with roasted veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, or asparagus.
- Pasta: Toss the sauce with your favorite pasta for a creamy chicken pasta dish.
- Mashed Potatoes: Use the sauce as a topping for mashed potatoes to add rich, creamy flavor.
Conclusion
For a rich and velvety texture that elevates the flavor of poultry, veggies, and more, try this cream cheese sauce. It’s the ideal complement to any dish. Thanks to its few ingredients and ease of preparation, this sauce is perfect for weeknights when you’re short on time but still want to impress.
Make this cream cheese sauce a staple in your kitchen by using it to top grilled chicken, incorporating it into pasta, or serving it over roasted vegetables. If you want your next meal to be extra creamy and tasty, try it out now!
Related Recipes You Might Also Like
- Philadelphia Cream Cheese Alfredo Sauce
- Perfect Alfredo Sauce with Whole Milk
- Gluten-Free Alfredo Sauce
FAQs Recipe
1. Can I make cream cheese sauce ahead of time?
You can make the sauce ahead and refrigerate it for three days. Reheating it with a little milk can keep it creamy.
2. Can I use low-fat cream cheese in this recipe?
To make the sauce lighter, you can use low-fat cream cheese instead of standard cream cheese.
3. How can I make the sauce thicker?
If you want a thicker sauce, you may either cook it for a little longer or add additional cream cheese.
4. Is this sauce gluten-free?
This dish will not contain gluten if you use only gluten-free products, such as parmesan cheese. For your assurance, always read the label.
Print cream cheese sauce for chicken recipe
Equipment
- A medium saucepan
- A whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- A wooden spoon or spatula
Ingredients
- Butter 2 tablespoons unsalted: This adds richness to the sauce. Olive oil can be used as a substitute for a lighter or dairy-free version.
- Cream Cheese 4 oz, softened: The main ingredient that gives the sauce its creamy texture. To make it lighter, you can use low-fat cream cheese.
- Garlic 1 clove, minced: Fresh garlic adds depth to the flavor. If you don’t have fresh garlic, you can use garlic powder instead
- Milk ½ cup: Helps to thin the sauce to the desired consistency. Whole milk will give a richer result, but you can use any type of milk or dairy-free alternatives.
- Parmesan Cheese ¼ cup, grated: Adds a sharp, cheesy flavor that complements the cream cheese. If you prefer, you can substitute with nutritional yeast for a dairy-free option.
- Salt and Pepper: Season to taste to balance the flavors.
Instructions
- Melt the Butter: Melt the butter over medium-low heat in a medium-sized pot. Stir occasionally to prevent the butter from burning.
- Add Garlic: When the butter melts, add the chopped garlic and cook for about one minute, until the garlic smells good. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
- Stir in the Cream Cheese: Add the softened cream cheese to the pan. Stir continuously with a whisk or spoon until the cream cheese melts and combines with the butter, creating a smooth base for the sauce.
- Pour in the Milk: Slowly pour in the milk while whisking to ensure the sauce is smooth and lump-free. Continue stirring until the sauce starts to thicken.
- Add Parmesan Cheese: Stir in the grated parmesan cheese and whisk until fully melted and combined. At this point, the sauce should be thick and smooth.
- Stir in the grated parmesan cheese and whisk until fully melted and combined. At this point, the sauce should be thick and smooth.
- Season and Simmer: Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Let it simmer on low heat for 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Serve Over Chicken: Once the sauce is ready, remove it from the heat and drizzle it over your cooked chicken. Enjoy this creamy, flavorful sauce with your meal!
Notes
- Before adding the cream cheese to the pan, make sure it has melted. This allows it to melt more easily and prevents lumps.
- Whisk constantly as you add the milk to the cream cheese mixture to prevent a lumpy sauce.
- If the sauce appears excessively thick, dilute it with a small amount of milk. Should it be overly thin, simmer for a few more minutes to thicken.
- Store any leftover cream cheese sauce refrigerated in an airtight jar for up to three days.
- Reheat the sauce gradually in a skillet over low heat; if needed, add a little milk to help the sauce regain its creamy consistency.
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