Creamy Garlic Chicken | Keto Garlic Chicken Recipe (2024)

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At the risk of sounding conceited, had I been served this Low Carb Creamy Garlic Chicken in a restaurant in Paris, I would not have complained. And of course, since it’s my recipe it’s stupid simple. French Garlic Chicken is an easy low carb chicken recipe that you can make made in the Instant Pot or Stovetop.

Creamy Garlic Chicken | Keto Garlic Chicken Recipe (1)

What Makes Low Carb Chicken Recipes So Fantastic?

This is a great low carb chicken recipe that takes less than 30 minutes start to finish but is elegant enough to serve for company.

It's a very simple French Garlic Chicken recipe that combines juicy chicken thighs with dijon mustard, garlic, and a mixture of spices to make a French-inspired dish that is as delicious as it looks.

It's easy to see why this is one of my best Instant Pot recipes.

The only things you may have to buy to make this recipe, are an Instant Pot and Herbes De Provence. Everything else is probably already in your house.

Why Make Creamy Garlic Chicken?

This is actually one of my post popular recipes on the blog. You know what several people have said about this recipe?

This sauce would make a BOOT taste good!

When was the last time you made a sauce like that?? How about tonight then? Even if you don't have an old boot laying around? I promise Instant Pot chicken thighs or chicken breast will taste even better.

  • Versatile. It can be made in an Instant Pot, in a multicooker with a sauté function, or in a heavy skillet such as a cast iron skillet.
  • Fast. Done in less than 30 minutes.
  • Easy. A Pour and Cook Instant Pot recipe.
  • Low Carb. Only 4 carbs per serving. Low Carb Chicken recipes are a great keto meal solution.
  • Authentic. Tastes just like the food I've eaten in France.

Why Do I Call This French Garlic Chicken?

As you guys know, I suck at naming dishes. But Herbes deProvence, mustard, and cream sauce are all typically used inFrench cuisine. I just happened to use all these things in this dish, and I will say it reminded me of some wonderful meals I've had in France. So French Garlic Chicken is what this recipe became.

While different brands of this spice contain different herbs, most Herbes de Provence mixes have a combination of rosemary, thyme, oregano, fennel, and sometimes lavender. It's an excellent way to get one bottle of a blend of different herbs rather than buying each individually.

I often use Herbes de Provence to make a salad dressing with oil and balsamic vinegar. It doubles as a delicious keto chicken marinade.

How To Make Creamy Garlic Chicken

You can make this dish either on the stovetop or in your Instant Pot.

If you make this dish stovetop, be sure to use a thick-bottomed pan such as a cast iron saucepan.

Creamy Garlic Chicken | Keto Garlic Chicken Recipe (2)
  1. Mix together the oil, mustard, vinegar, salt, pepper, garlic, and Herbes de Provence.
  2. Coat the chicken with the marinade. At this point, you can either cook in a few minutes, marinate in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days, or freeze along with the marinade.
  3. Sauté butter, garlic, and chicken. Then add marinade and water.
  4. Cook for 5 mins under high pressure.
  5. Allow it to release pressure naturally for 10 minutes, and then release all remaining pressure.
  6. Slowly add in the cream, and allow the sauce to thicken on the Sauté setting.
Creamy Garlic Chicken | Keto Garlic Chicken Recipe (3)

7. Ladle the sauce over the chicken, garnish as desired, and serve up your delicious low carb chicken recipe--and transport yourself to Provence with the first bite.

Tips and Tricks For Making This Keto Chicken Recipe

  • Prep Ahead
    • If you have time to marinate the chicken, it will be that much more tender, but you don't have to. You can use this keto chicken marinade for anything from 30 minutes to up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
    • You can marinate the chicken, and freeze the marinade and chicken together. That way, when you're ready to cook, simply brown the garlic in butter, throw in the frozen chicken and marinade (skipping the step where you sear the chicken), and just cook it in the Instant pot.
  • Double Up
    • You can double up on the sauce ingredients, and save some of the extra sauce to serve over asparagus or other steamed vegetables.
    • You could add in a cup or so of mushrooms to this dish and have a more complete meat and vegetable dish in one go.
  • Adapt the recipe for different diets
    • This is a keto Instant Pot chicken recipe--but really that has nothing to do with anything. What it is, is a SUPER TASTY low carb chicken recipe.
    • If you are dairy-free or kosher, use coconut milk or coconut cream for the cream, and coconut or olive oil for the butter.
    • Vegetarians should use a hearty vegetable like butternut squash or even turnips instead of chicken.
    • If you are allergic to Lavender, you can either find a lavender-free Herbes de Provence or use a mixture of dried thyme, oregano, rosemary, and marjoram.

Can I Put Frozen Chicken In My Instant Pot?

Yes! That's one of the best features Instant Pot recipes offer. The ability to have dinner ready in no time, even if you forgot to pull the meat out of the freezer the night before. Here's what you should know:

  • Prep. The most important part of cooking chicken in your Instant Pot is making sure you freeze your chicken in a single layer so your pressure cooker chicken cooks evenly.
  • Time. The pot may take a little longer to come to pressure since the frozen chicken will keep the temperature inside the pot cooler longer.
  • Recipe. The actual cooking time of the recipe will be the same as it states once the pot comes up to pressure.

What To Serve With It

Garlic chicken can be paired with a variety of side dishes to make a delicious and satisfying meal. Here are some of my favorite things to pair it with, both low carb and more traditional:

  1. Roasted vegetables- Roasting vegetables like broccoli, carrots, or asparagus with garlic and olive oil can complement the garlic flavor in the chicken.
  2. Rice- A side of rice can soak up the flavorful sauce from the garlic chicken. You can make plain white rice or add some herbs or spices for extra flavor.
  3. Salad- A fresh salad with greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, and a light vinaigrette can balance out the richness of the garlic chicken.
  4. Potatoes- Roasted or mashed potatoes are a classic side dish that go well with garlic chicken.
  5. Pasta- Serve the garlic chicken over a bed of pasta, such as linguine or fettuccine, for a comforting and hearty meal.
  6. Bread- Garlic bread or a crusty baguette can be a great way to soak up the sauce from the garlic chicken.

How Long Does It Last?

The longer the chicken sits in the sauce, the more flavor it takes on, so leftovers are always gobbled up at our house.

For food safety reasons, try to enjoy this Creamy Garlic Chicken within 3-4 days after preparing it.

I promise you, this shouldn't be an issue.

Want More Instant Pot Recipes?

  • Easy Chicken Tikka Masala- a restaurant favorite made at home.
  • Chicken Vindaloo- adjust the heat to fit your taste buds.
  • Chicken Enchilada Casserole- Mexican cuisine made easy.
  • Pollo Con Salsa Rojo- a low carb recipe delight!
  • Pakistani Karahi Chicken- A quick Keto Instant Pot meal.
  • Fast and Easy Instant Pot Chicken - Your complete IP Chicken guide.
Creamy Garlic Chicken | Keto Garlic Chicken Recipe (4)

This Creamy Garlic Chicken recipe is so good you'll want to add it to your weekly dinner rotation. If you love it as much as I do, make sure you share it with your friends on Facebook and Pin it to make it again soon.

Creamy Garlic Chicken | Keto Garlic Chicken Recipe (5)

Low Carb French Garlic Chicken

At the risk of sounding conceited, had I been served this Low Carb French Garlic Chicken in a restaurant in Paris, I would not have complained. And of course, since it’s my recipe it’s stupid simple. An easy low carb recipe that can be made in the Instant Pot or stovetop.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Course: Main Courses

Cuisine: French

Keyword: French garlic chicken, instant pot french recipe, instant pot keto chicken recipe

Servings: 4

Calories: 429kcal

Author: URVASHI PITRE

Click on highlighted ingredients or Equipment to see exactly what I use to make this recipe

Ingredients

For the Marinade

For Cooking

  • 2 tablespoons (2 tablespoons) Butter
  • 8 cloves (8 cloves) Chopped Garlic
  • 1/4 cup (62.5 ml) Water
  • 1/4 cup (59.5 ml) Heavy Whipping Cream

Instructions

  • Mix all the ingredients for the marinade, using a wire whisk to emulsify the oil and vinegar together.

  • Add in chicken thighs and allow it to marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes. If you need to marinate for longer, put in the refrigerator.

For Stovetop

  • When you are ready to cook, heat a heavy-bottomed pan. When it is hot, add the butter and allow it to melt.

  • Add chopped garlic and sauté for 2-3 minutes.

  • Add in the chicken leaving behind as much of the marinade as you can. Do not discard the marinade.

  • Cook the chicken thighs so that they can lightly brown on one side, 3-5 minutes.

  • Add the marinade and 1/4 cup water.

  • Cover the pot and allow it to cook for 10 minutes, turning the thighs halfway through.

  • Using a meat thermometer, ensure an internal temperature of 165f.

  • Remove the chicken on to a plate and add 1/4 cup cream into the pot, mixing well with the liquid in the pot.

  • As soon as the sauce thickens, pour it onto the chicken thighs and serve.

For Instant Pot

  • When you are ready to cook, turn your Instant Pot to Sauté and when it is hot, add the butter and allow it to melt.

  • Add chopped garlic and sauté for 2-3 minutes.

  • Add in the chicken leaving behind as much of the marinade as you can. Do not discard the marinade.

  • Cook the chicken thighs so that they can lightly brown on one side, 3-5 minutes.

  • Add the marinade and 1/4 cup water.

  • Close the instant pot and set it to cook at High Pressure for 5 minutes. Allow it to release pressure naturally for 10 minutes, and then release all remaining pressure.

  • Remove the chicken on to a plate and add 1/4 cup cream into the pot, mixing well with the liquid in the pot.

  • As soon as the sauce thickens, pour it onto the chicken thighs and serve.

Watch The Video

  • Prep Ahead
    • If you have time to marinate the chicken, it will be that much more tender, but you don't have to. You can let the chicken marinate for anything from 30 minutes to up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
    • You can marinate the chicken, and freeze the marinade and chicken together. That way, when you're ready to cook, simply brown the garlic in butter, throw in the frozen chicken and marinade (skipping the step where you sear the chicken), and just cook it in the Instant pot.
  • Double Up
    • You can double up on the sauce ingredients, and save some of the extra sauce to serve over asparagus or other steamed vegetables.
    • You could add in a cup or so of mushrooms to this dish and have a more complete meat and vegetable dish in one go.
  • Adapt for different diets
    • This is a keto Instant Pot chicken recipe--but really that has nothing to do with anything. What it is, is a SUPER TASTY low carb chicken recipe.
    • If you are dairy-free or kosher, use coconut milk or coconut cream for the cream, and coconut or olive oil for the butter.
    • If you are vegetarian, use a hearty vegetable like butternut squash or even turnips instead of the chicken.
    • If you are allergic to Lavender, you can either find a lavender-free Herbes de Provence or use a mixture of dried thyme, oregano, rosemary, and marjoram.
    • If you don't have Herbes de Provence, sub Italian blend herbs or even Greek blend herbs for a slightly different taste
    • Go easy on the salt in this recipe. I have reduced it to 1/2 teaspoon based on reader feedback

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Nutrition

Calories: 429kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 37g

Tried this recipe?Follow @twosleevers and Pin it!

Don't forget to check out my other Best-selling Instant Pot Cookbooks!

Indian Instant Pot, Keto Instant Pot, Instant Pot Fast and Easy, Healthy Instant Pot & Vegetarian Instant Pot.

Creamy Garlic Chicken | Keto Garlic Chicken Recipe (6)
Creamy Garlic Chicken | Keto Garlic Chicken Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to moist chicken? ›

Brines and marinades help tenderize the meat by bringing more moisture in the protein. With that extra moisture, you lose less when you cook. The simplest way to do this is with a dry brine — unwrap the chicken breasts, salt them on both sides and let them sit in the fridge for at least an hour.

How to make chicken juicy inside? ›

Make sure your chicken breast is well-seasoned before adding it to the pan. Cook each side evenly until brown. Once done, bake the chicken breast in a pre-heated oven until juices run clear. The crispy skin from the sear will help keep juices intact while baking cooks the insides through without drying them out.

How to make chicken more flavorful? ›

Add a touch of spice to your chicken breast by combining paprika, cinnamon, turmeric, cumin, ginger, garlic and olive oil to create a paste. Then cover your chicken breast with the paste and pat down to secure.

Why do people put mayo on chicken before cooking? ›

The mayo will lock in moisture and will improve the browning on the grill, leaving you with delicious, charred grill marks that will take your chicken to the next level.

What is white garlic sauce made of? ›

Melt butter in medium sauce pan over low heat. When butter is completely melted, whisk in flour to make a roux. Keep heat low, whisk out all lumps. Add milk, garlic, and seasons and continue whisking while cooking on low heat.

Do you add garlic before or after chicken? ›

It's best to cook the chicken first because it takes longer to cook than garlic does. Add the garlic after the chicken has been cooked and removed from the pan. Garlic only takes 30 seconds to 2 minutes to become aromatic and can burn quickly after that, so it's important to add it later in the cooking process.

Can I put garlic in my chicken? ›

Small amounts of crushed raw garlic fed to baby chicks twice a week not only help their immune systems develop but also get them used to the flavor so they will be more likely to accept it later in life. Raw garlic may be used to boost the immune system of a droopy mature chicken by serving as an appetite stimulant.

Is it better to bake chicken at 350 or 400? ›

Given the fact that drumsticks and thighs are dark meat and won't dry out as easily as breasts, the range from 350 to 450 degrees is okay for baking them. 350 to 375 is generally best for breasts. The best answer to these questions? Simply check the chicken for doneness using an instant read thermometer.

Does baking soda make chicken moist? ›

Briefly soaking meat in a solution of baking soda and water raises the pH on the meat's surface, making it more difficult for the proteins to bond excessively, which keeps the meat tender and moist when it's cooked.

What spices enhance the flavor of chicken? ›

5 best spice and herbs blends for chicken and meat
  • Paprika and garlic powder. Paprika is a great spice that makes any chicken dish stand out, it comes in many forms sweet, hot, regular and smoky. ...
  • Basil and rosemary. ...
  • Ginger and lemongrass. ...
  • Turmeric and chili. ...
  • Coriander and cumin.

What makes chicken taste really good? ›

The reaction of cysteine and sugar can lead to characteristic meat flavour specially for chicken and pork. Volatile compounds including 2-methyl-3-furanthiol, 2-furfurylthiol, methionol, 2,4,5-trimethyl-thiazole, nonanol, 2-trans-nonenal, and other compounds have been identified as important for the flavour of chicken.

How do you make chicken more tender and juicy? ›

Marinating your chicken in something overnight can help make it all the more juicier and tender. You can use a gluten-free, acidic marinade (like olive oil and lemon juice) or something breadier (like baking soda, egg whites, and buttermilk).

How to cook chicken breasts so they are moist and tender? ›

  1. Flatten the chicken breasts. ...
  2. Heat the pan. ...
  3. Cook the chicken breasts over medium heat for 1 minute without moving. ...
  4. Flip the chicken breasts. ...
  5. Turn the heat down to low. ...
  6. Cover the pan and cook on low for 10 minutes. ...
  7. Turn off the heat and let sit for an additional 10 minutes. ...
  8. Remove lid and take temperature.

How do caterers keep chicken moist? ›

Brining: Before cooking, some restaurants soak their chicken in a brine solution, which is a mixture of water, salt, and sometimes sugar and other seasonings. Brining helps to tenderize the meat and keep it moist during cooking.

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