Cozy Winter Garlic Herb Chicken with Mashed Potatoes
Cozy Winter Garlic Herb Chicken with Mashed Potatoes is a comforting and flavorful dinner featuring juicy pan-seared chicken breasts infused with garlic and fresh herbs. Paired with creamy Yukon Gold mashed potatoes and sweet glazed carrots, this wholesome meal is perfect for family gatherings or an elegant dinner at home.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Herbs
- 2 chicken breasts
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Mashed Potatoes
- 1 pound Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 2 tablespoons butter (included above for chicken pan, use separately for potatoes)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- Salt to taste
Glazed Carrots
- 4 large carrots, sliced
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (included above, use separately for carrots)
- Salt to taste (optional)
Instructions
- Season Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt, black pepper, and the chopped fresh rosemary, thyme, and parsley to infuse the meat with herbaceous flavor.
- Sear Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Place the chicken breasts in the skillet and sear without moving them for about 5 minutes until golden and caramelized on one side.
- Flip and Baste Chicken: Turn the chicken breasts over and cook for another 5 minutes. In the final minute, add 2 tablespoons butter and the minced garlic to the skillet. Tilt the pan slightly and use a spoon to baste the butter and garlic over the chicken to enhance flavor and juiciness.
- Boil Potatoes: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add peeled and chopped Yukon Gold potatoes and cook for about 15 minutes or until the potatoes are fork-tender and easily pierced.
- Mash Potatoes: Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot while still hot. Add butter and 1/2 cup heavy cream. Mash the potatoes until smooth and creamy. Season with salt to taste and mix well.
- Prepare Carrots: In a separate pan, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat until melted. Add the sliced carrots, season lightly with salt if desired, and cook for 5 to 7 minutes until tender.
- Glaze Carrots: Sprinkle 1 tablespoon brown sugar over the carrots and cook for an additional 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the carrots are glazed and slightly caramelized.
- Plate and Serve: Spoon the creamy mashed potatoes onto plates, place the garlic herb chicken breasts on top, and serve the sweet glazed carrots on the side for a complete cozy winter meal.
Notes
- Use fresh herbs for the best vibrant flavor, but dried herbs can be substituted if fresh are unavailable.
- Adding a splash of white wine to the pan while cooking the chicken can provide extra depth and complexity in flavor.
- You can prepare the mashed potatoes ahead of time and reheat them by adding a splash of cream to restore creaminess.