If you are craving a cozy yet elegant dinner that comes together with minimal fuss, this Creamy Dill Chicken Recipe is about to become your new best friend. Imagine tender chicken breasts enveloped in a luscious, herb-infused cream sauce bursting with fresh dill’s vibrant flavor. It’s comfort food elevated, perfect for a weeknight meal that feels like a special occasion. The rich sauce and aromatic dill create an unforgettable marriage of tastes and textures that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Creamy Dill Chicken Recipe lies in its simplicity. Each ingredient plays a vital role: the chicken brings tenderness and protein, dill adds fresh brightness, and the combination of cream and chicken broth creates that silky sauce that makes this dish so unforgettable.
- 4 small boneless skinless chicken breasts: Choose evenly sized breasts for uniform cooking and juiciness.
- ⅛ teaspoon salt: Just enough to enhance natural flavors without overpowering the delicate herbs.
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper (optional): Adds a subtle kick to balance the creaminess.
- ¼ cup flour (regular or spelt): For dredging the chicken and thickening the sauce slightly.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil: Perfect for searing the chicken to a golden crust and softening onions.
- ½ white onion, diced: Adds gentle sweetness and depth to the sauce.
- 2 garlic cloves, minced: Gives a warm, savory backbone to the flavor profile.
- ¾ cup chicken broth or stock: Provides a savory base that keeps the sauce light and flavorful.
- ½ cup heavy cream*: The source of that luxurious, velvety texture everyone loves.
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, diced, plus more to garnish: Bright, grassy notes that elevate every bite with freshness.
How to Make Creamy Dill Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Dredge the Chicken
Start by patting your chicken breasts dry; this helps get that beautiful golden sear. Season both sides lightly with salt and black pepper if you like. Next, coat each breast evenly in flour. This not only adds a slight crust but also helps thicken the sauce later. You don’t need to use all the flour, just enough to cover the chicken.
Step 2: Sear the Chicken
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and place the chicken breasts inside. Cook them for 5-7 minutes on each side, or until they develop a gorgeous brown color and are fully cooked through. Then, transfer them to a plate to rest while you prepare the sauce. This step is where you build flavor and texture that’s essential for the dish’s success.
Step 3: Sauté Onion and Garlic
If the skillet looks dry, add a little more olive oil before turning the heat to low. Toss in the diced onion and minced garlic, cooking gently for 4-5 minutes until the onions are soft and sweet. This builds the aromatic base for your creamy sauce and brings depth to the dish’s flavor.
Step 4: Create the Creamy Sauce
Pour the chicken broth into the skillet and raise the heat just enough so the broth bubbles lightly. Use a spatula to scrape up all those delicious browned bits stuck to the bottom—that’s pure flavor gold! Then stir in the heavy cream. Let the mixture simmer for 4-5 minutes so it thickens beautifully and coats the back of a spoon in a silken embrace.
Step 5: Finish with Chicken and Fresh Dill
Return the chicken breasts to the skillet and sprinkle over the fresh dill. Stir the herb into the sauce, allowing its bright flavor to infuse everything. Simmer together for another 4-5 minutes to meld the flavors perfectly. Don’t forget to check that each breast reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (73.9°C) for safe, juicy perfection.
How to Serve Creamy Dill Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh dill on top just before serving not only boosts the visual appeal with a pop of green but also adds a fresh herbaceous aroma that complements the cream sauce beautifully. A light zest of lemon or a few cracks of fresh pepper can also take it up a notch.
Side Dishes
This chicken shines when paired with simple sides that soak up the lovely cream sauce. Fluffy mashed potatoes, buttery egg noodles, or even a bed of steamed rice make excellent choices. For some color and crunch, lightly sautéed green beans or a crisp garden salad balance out the meal nicely.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to impress guests or just brighten your plate on a weeknight, serve this creamy dill chicken on a rustic wooden board alongside wedges of buttery bread to mop up the sauce. Alternatively, slice the chicken after cooking and arrange it over a platter of roasted vegetables for a shareable family-style feast.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying your meal, simply cool any leftovers and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The creamy dill chicken will stay delicious for up to 3 days. Just be sure to give it a gentle stir before reheating to reincorporate the sauce.
Freezing
If you’d like to extend its shelf life, this dish freezes well. Place cooled portions into freezer-safe containers or bags and freeze for up to 2 months. Be mindful that the cream sauce may separate slightly after freezing, but a good stir when reheated will bring it back together.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave at medium power. Adding a splash of chicken broth or cream while warming helps keep the sauce smooth and creamy. Avoid high heat to prevent curdling and dryness in the chicken.
FAQs
Can I use dried dill instead of fresh?
While you can substitute dried dill if fresh is unavailable, it’s best to use about a third of the amount since dried herbs are more concentrated. Fresh dill adds that bright, garden-fresh flavor that makes this recipe truly sing.
Is heavy cream necessary, or can I use a lighter alternative?
Heavy cream gives the sauce its signature richness and velvety texture. For a lighter version, you could try half-and-half or a combination of milk and cream cheese, but the sauce won’t be quite as thick or indulgent.
How long does it take to cook the chicken thoroughly?
Cooking the chicken breasts for about 5-7 minutes per side on medium heat usually ensures they are cooked through. Using a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165°F (73.9°C) is the safest way to make sure.
Can I prepare this recipe gluten-free?
Absolutely! Swap the regular flour for a gluten-free flour blend when dredging the chicken to keep the dish gluten-free without sacrificing that lovely sauce texture.
What other herbs might complement the dill in this recipe?
Fresh parsley or chives are excellent companions to dill and can add extra layers of freshness to the sauce without overpowering the original flavor.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Dill Chicken Recipe is a wonderful way to transform simple chicken breasts into a meal that feels like a warm hug on a plate. Its perfect combination of creamy, savory, and fresh notes is guaranteed to become a staple in your dinner rotation. I can’t wait for you to try it and experience how a handful of humble ingredients can create something spectacularly delicious!
PrintCreamy Dill Chicken Recipe
This creamy dill chicken is a simple yet indulgent skillet dinner perfect for busy weeknights. Juicy, flour-dusted chicken breasts are seared to golden perfection, then simmered in a luscious sauce made with onion, garlic, chicken broth, heavy cream, and fresh dill for a flavorful and comforting meal.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, British
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 small boneless skinless chicken breasts
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper (optional)
- ¼ cup flour (regular or spelt flour)
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ white onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced or finely diced
- ¾ cup chicken broth or stock
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, diced, plus more to garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel and season both sides with salt and optional black pepper. Place the flour in a bowl and dredge each chicken breast in the flour until evenly coated; some flour may remain unused.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the dredged chicken breasts and cook each side for 5-7 minutes until nicely browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
- Cook Onion and Garlic: If needed, add a little more olive oil to the skillet. On low heat, sauté the diced onion and minced garlic for 4-5 minutes until they become soft and translucent.
- Make the Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and increase the heat slightly so the liquid simmers lightly. Use a spatula to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Stir in the heavy cream and allow the sauce to simmer for 4-5 minutes, reducing and thickening.
- Finish Cooking Chicken in Sauce: Return the chicken breasts to the skillet. Sprinkle the fresh dill over the chicken and stir it gently into the sauce. Continue cooking everything together for an additional 4-5 minutes. Check the internal temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F (73.9°C) at the thickest part.
Notes
- Using spelt flour makes this dish slightly healthier with a nutty flavor, but regular flour works equally well.
- If heavy cream is unavailable, substitute with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, although it will be less rich.
- Fresh dill is preferred for its bright flavor; dried dill can be used but reduce quantity by half.
- Check chicken doneness with a thermometer to guarantee food safety.
- Serve this creamy dill chicken with mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables, or rice for a balanced meal.