Absolutely Delicious Chicken or Tofu with Creamy Garlic Sauce
This creamy, garlicky dish works as a quick weeknight dinner or an easy weekend supper, served over pasta or rice. It's comforting, flavorful, and ready in about 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Protein
- 2 pieces Boneless chicken breasts (or 14 oz firm tofu) Cut into bite-size pieces
- to taste Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Cooking base
- 2 tbsp Olive oil or butter Or a mixture
- 4 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 small Onion, finely chopped (optional)
Liquid components
- 1/2 cup Dry white wine or low-sodium chicken/vegetable stock Substitute with stock for alcohol-free
- 1 cup Heavy cream Or full-fat coconut milk for dairy-free
Cheese and pasta
- 3/4 cup Freshly grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano Use nutritional yeast for vegan swap
- 8 oz Pasta (fettuccine, penne, or short pasta) or cooked rice Use 2 cups of cooked rice
Finishing touches
- 1 tbsp Lemon juice
- 2 tbsp Chopped fresh parsley or basil For brightness
- pinch Red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
Preparation
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta until just shy of al dente; reserve 1 cup pasta water.
- Season chicken (or tofu) with salt and pepper.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the pieces until golden and cooked through, about 4–5 minutes per side for chicken; remove and set aside.
Cooking
- Reduce heat to medium. Add a touch more oil if needed, then sauté onion for 2–3 minutes until translucent.
- Add garlic and red pepper flakes; cook 30–45 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in wine or stock to deglaze, scraping up browned bits. Let it reduce by half (about 2 minutes).
- Lower heat to medium-low and stir in cream. Simmer gently until slightly thickened, 3–5 minutes.
- Add grated cheese in batches, whisking until smooth. If sauce is too thick, loosen with reserved pasta water a splash at a time.
- Return chicken or tofu to the pan and coat with sauce.
- Stir in lemon juice and chopped herbs. Taste and adjust seasoning.
Serving
- Toss with drained pasta or spoon over rice. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan and a grind of black pepper.
Notes
If using tofu, press it for 15–30 minutes before cooking. Grate the cheese fresh — pre-grated can contain anti-caking agents that affect sauce texture. For added texture contrast, pair with roasted cherry tomatoes or steamed broccolini.