Creamy Avocado Herb Chicken Skillet
Tender chicken breasts baked in a rich avocado-cream cheese sauce with fresh herbs, finished with a golden herb crust. Perfect for a quick keto dinner that satisfies cravings without the carbs. This mediterranean-inspired keto (keto, low carb) ready in about 30 minutes pairs (4 oz each) boneless chicken breasts, large avocado, full-fat cream cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 318 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 (4 oz each) boneless chicken breasts
- 1 large avocado
- 2 oz full-fat cream cheese
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pound chicken breasts to 1/2-inch thickness using a meat mallet, then season both sides with 1/4 tsp sea salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Sear chicken for 3 minutes per side until golden brown and edges are crisp.
- Step 3: While chicken sears, mash 1/2 of the avocado with 2 oz cream cheese and 2 minced garlic cloves in a bowl until smooth and creamy.
- Step 4: Spread the avocado-cream cheese mixture evenly over the top of each chicken breast, then sprinkle with 2 tbsp chopped parsley and 1 tbsp thyme.
- Step 5: Transfer skillet to a preheated 375°F oven and bake for 15 minutes until the sauce is bubbly and golden around the edges, and chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Creamy Avocado Herb Chicken Skillet take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Creamy Avocado Herb Chicken Skillet?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep large avocado from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Creamy Avocado Herb Chicken Skillet?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Creamy Avocado Herb Chicken Skillet for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Creamy Avocado Herb Chicken Skillet keto?
Yes — this recipe is tagged keto, low carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.
- ★★★★★
Brought this to a potluck and it was the first dish to disappear.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.