Garlic adds bold flavor to everything it touches, and this list is packed with ways to use it across meats, seafood, pasta, and more. From crispy wings and seared bites to creamy sauces and smoky finishes, each recipe uses garlic as a key part of the flavor. Some go sweet with honey or citrus, others lean savory with butter or soy. Whether it’s slow-cooked, grilled, or pan-fried, these dishes all hit strong with garlic in the spotlight.

Chicken with 40 Cloves of Garlic

Chicken with 40 Cloves of Garlic. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Whole garlic cloves soften and mellow as they cook with the chicken. The result is rich and deeply flavored. Serve with bread or mashed potatoes to catch the sauce. A bold classic.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with 40 Cloves of Garlic

Crispy Chicken with Garlic Panko Crust

Crispy Chicken with Garlic Panko Crust. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Panko breadcrumbs and garlic coat the chicken for a crisp, savory finish. The crust stays crunchy while the inside stays juicy. Serve with a squeeze of lemon. Oven or air fryer friendly.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Chicken with Garlic Panko Crust

Hot Honey Garlic Wings

Hot Honey Garlic Wings. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

These wings are tossed in a sticky glaze of hot honey and garlic. The flavor is spicy and sweet with crispy skin. Bake or fry, then sauce. A crowd-pleaser every time.
Get the Recipe: Hot Honey Garlic Wings

Soy Garlic Chicken

A cooked, seasoned chicken breast topped with chopped green onions sits on a white plate with sauce, making it a flavorful choice for fans of garlic dishes.
Soy Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Chicken thighs or wings are glazed in a mix of soy sauce and garlic. The flavor is deep and salty with a hint of sweetness. Cook on the stove or grill. Serve with rice or noodles.
Get the Recipe: Soy Garlic Chicken

Grilled Garlic Lime Chicken with Cilantro Crema

Grilled chicken with cilantro crema on a white plate surrounded by limes, cilantro, and a glass of beer.
Grilled Garlic Lime Chicken with Cilantro Crema. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Garlic and lime marinate the chicken before it’s grilled for char and brightness. A cilantro crema adds cool contrast. Great in tacos, wraps, or over greens. Fresh and bold.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Garlic Lime Chicken with Cilantro Crema

Reverse Seared Smoked Steaks with Smoked Garlic Butter

Reverse Seared Smoked Steaks with Smoked Garlic Butter on a plate with asparagus.
Reverse Seared Smoked Steaks with Smoked Garlic Butter. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Steaks cook low and slow before a final sear, then get topped with garlic-infused butter. The smoky flavor runs deep. Rich and satisfying. Serve with roasted sides.
Get the Recipe: Reverse Seared Smoked Steaks with Smoked Garlic Butter

Honey Garlic Chicken Rollups

Vegetables wrapped in chicken cutlets in a skillet.
Honey Garlic Chicken Rollups. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

Thin chicken slices are rolled with a sweet garlic filling and baked until tender. The glaze caramelizes slightly on top. Easy to portion and serve. Good for dinner or appetizers.
Get the Recipe: Honey Garlic Chicken Rollups

Garlic Butter Steak Bites

A stainless steel pan filled with cooked steak bites garnished with herbs. Nearby are butter, seasoning, and plates.
Garlic Butter Steak Bites. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Steak cubes are pan-seared with garlic butter until browned. The flavor clings to every bite. Serve with potatoes or over greens. Quick and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Steak Bites

Creamy Garlic Chicken

A cast iron skillet with chicken in a creamy sauce.
Creamy Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: .

A creamy garlic sauce coats tender chicken breasts or thighs. It simmers into a thick, rich base. Great with rice, pasta, or crusty bread. Comfort food with punch.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Black plate of chicken with asparagus.
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

Chicken pieces cook in garlic butter for a golden sear and deep flavor. They finish quickly in one pan. Serve with vegetables or over grains. Fast and filling.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Lemon Garlic Shrimp on the Blackstone Griddle

Lemon Garlic Shrimp on the Blackstone Griddle on a white plate with lemon and parsley.
Lemon Garlic Shrimp on the Blackstone Griddle. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Shrimp cook fast on a hot griddle with garlic and lemon. The heat gives them a light char. Serve with rice or over salad. Bright, simple, and fast.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Garlic Shrimp on the Blackstone Griddle

Lemon Garlic Butter Pasta

A fast and easy plate of pasta with parmesan cheese and parsley.
Lemon Garlic Butter Pasta. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

Pasta gets tossed in a simple sauce of lemon, garlic, and butter. It’s silky and fresh with bold flavor. Serve alone or with shrimp or chicken. A fast meal with big return.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Garlic Butter Pasta

Honey Garlic Salmon in the Air Fryer

Honey Garlic Salmon in the Air Fryer. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

Salmon is coated in a sticky garlic glaze and air fried to crispy-edged perfection. The inside stays moist. Serve with rice or vegetables. A strong mix of sweet and savory.
Get the Recipe: Honey Garlic Salmon in the Air Fryer

Easy Garlic Broiled Chicken Thighs

Easy Garlic Broiled Chicken Thighs with parsley in a white baking dish with a spatula.
Easy Garlic Broiled Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Chicken thighs are seasoned with garlic and broiled until crisp on top. The inside stays juicy. Serve with your favorite side. Fast and reliable.
Get the Recipe: Easy Garlic Broiled Chicken Thighs

Garlic Herb Butter Gnocchi

Roasted Garlic Herb Butter Gnocchi with peas and parmesan.
Garlic Herb Butter Gnocchi. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

Gnocchi pan-fries in garlic herb butter until golden and crisp. Each bite is soft inside with a rich coating. Serve as a main or side. Comforting and quick.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Herb Butter Gnocchi

Garlic Steak & Mushrooms

A white plate with garlic steak bites and mushrooms on it.
Garlic Steak & Mushrooms. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

Steak and mushrooms cook together in a garlicky pan sauce. The flavors soak into each other. Great with mashed potatoes or pasta. Hearty and fast.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Steak & Mushrooms

Garlic Chicken Bite Skillet

Garlic chicken bites with peppers and mushrooms in a skillet.
Garlic Chicken Bite Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Chicken bites cook quickly in a hot skillet with lots of garlic. The result is golden and packed with flavor. One pan, no fuss. Good for busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Chicken Bite Skillet

Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

A bowl of shrimp pasta with lemon and parsley.
Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Shrimp and pasta meet in a buttery garlic sauce that clings to every noodle. It’s rich without being heavy. Serve with a side salad. Quick to make and easy to like.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

Garlic Herb Pork and Potatoes

Garlic Herb Pork and Potatoes. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Pork and potatoes roast together with garlic and herbs until browned. The pan juices bring it all together. A one-pan meal with strong flavor. Great for colder days.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Herb Pork and Potatoes

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Honey garlic chicken in a bowl served over rice.
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Chicken cooks slowly in a garlic honey sauce that thickens into a glaze. It stays tender and flavorful. Serve over rice or in wraps. Set it and forget it.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, wearing a white T-shirt and dark jeans, stands in a kitchen with a brick backsplash and stainless steel appliances. She is smiling and resting her hands on the counter.

About the author

Hi, I’m Lucy! I’m a home cook, writer, food and wine fanatic, and recipe developer. I’ve created and tested hundreds of recipes so that I can bring you the best tried and true favorites.

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