Creamy Garlic Herb Cajun Chicken Skillet (Easy One-Pan Dinner)
Derek
This one-skillet creamy garlic herb Cajun chicken is packed with bold spices, fresh herbs, and lean protein—all in a rich, flavorful sauce. Perfect for a low-carb, high-protein dinner that feels indulgent but fits your clean eating goals. Ready in under 30 minutes and customizable for any spice level or veggie add-in.
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 25 minutes mins
Total Time 35 minutes mins
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Cajun-Inspired Comfort Food
Servings 4 servings
Calories 380 kcal
- 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp cayenne optional
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- ½ tsp dried thyme or 1 tsp fresh
- ½ tsp rosemary
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Season chicken: Mix paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Rub over chicken.
Sear: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high. Sear chicken for 4–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Set aside.
Make sauce: In the same skillet, lower heat to medium. Add butter, garlic, thyme, and rosemary. Sauté 1 minute.
Add cream: Stir in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook 3–5 minutes until slightly thickened.
Finish: Return chicken to pan. Add lemon juice and spoon sauce over top. Simmer 2 minutes.
Serve: Garnish with parsley. Pair with your favorite low carb sides.
Secret Tips for Creamy Garlic Herb Cajun Chicken
1. Use a Salt-Free Cajun Blend for Control: To balance heat and salt, opt for a salt-free Cajun seasoning or make your own. This gives you complete control over the spice level and ensures the final dish isn’t too salty once the Parmesan is added.
2. Pound Chicken Evenly for Perfect Cooking: Flatten chicken breasts to an even thickness to avoid dry, overcooked edges and underdone centers. Uniform size means even browning and juicier bites all the way through.
3. Sear in Cast Iron for Maximum Flavor: A cast iron skillet holds heat beautifully and gives your chicken a gorgeous, golden crust. That fond (the browned bits at the bottom) also deepens the flavor of the cream sauce when deglazed.
4. Deglaze with Broth or Wine: After searing the chicken, pour in a splash of chicken broth or dry white wine before adding cream. This lifts all the flavor-packed bits from the pan and builds a richer sauce.
5. Simmer, Don’t Boil the Sauce: Keep the sauce at a low simmer once you add the cream. Boiling can cause separation and graininess. A gentle simmer helps the fat emulsify into the sauce and cling perfectly to the chicken.
6. Add Parmesan Slowly: Sprinkle in the grated Parmesan a little at a time and stir constantly. This ensures it melts evenly and gives your sauce that creamy, cohesive texture without clumps.
7. Finish with Fresh Herbs and Citrus Zest: Right before serving, sprinkle in chopped parsley and a little lemon zest. It brightens the rich Cajun sauce and makes every bite feel balanced and fresh.
8. Make It a Base for Bowls or Pasta: This recipe isn’t just for plates—slice the chicken and layer it over rice bowls, pasta, or roasted veggies. It’s versatile and reheats like a dream, so make extra for lunches!Keyword creamy cajun chicken recipe, easy cajun chicken for dinner, garlic herb chicken skillet, healthy creamy chicken skillet, keto creamy cajun chicken, low carb cajun chicken dinner, one pan cajun chicken recipe, spicy creamy chicken breast
