How to Spice Up Voila Garlic Chicken and Take It to the Next Level

Voila garlic chicken is a quick and easy frozen meal that can be a tasty option for busy weeknights. However the pre-made sauce and frozen vegetables may start to seem a bit bland after eating it repeatedly. If you’re looking for ways to spice up this convenient dish there are many simple tricks to take your Voila garlic chicken from boring to sensational.

Voila garlic chicken is something I’ve been making for years and have learned a lot of ways to make it taste better and be more interesting. I’ll share all of my favorite ways to spice up Voila garlic chicken in this article so you can make a delicious meal full of flavor. These tips will turn a frozen dinner into a family favorite by adding herbs and spices and quick cooking methods.

Start with High-Quality Ingredients

Using fresh, high-quality ingredients is the first thing that can make a dish better. Fresh chicken and vegetables are always what I use when I make Voila garlic chicken. Look for chicken breasts without any discoloration or off odors. Don’t use frozen vegetables for the vegetables. Instead, use fresh broccoli, carrots, peppers, or any other vegetables you like. Fresh food makes a big difference because it tastes great and is crisp.

Boost Flavor with Herbs and Spices

One of the easiest ways to spice up Voila garlic chicken is to add fresh or dried herbs and spices. Chopped parsley basil cilantro or dill provide a burst of flavor and color. You can also add spices like cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder or cayenne for a kick of heat.

I like to create my own blend of herbs and spices to complement the garlicky flavor. A mixture of oregano, thyme, rosemary and black pepper is a fragrant combination. Experiment with different herbs and spices until you find a blend you love.

Intensify Garlic Flavor

Voila garlic chicken is all about the garlic, so don’t be afraid to add more! Grate extra garlic cloves and add them early in the cooking process so the whole dish tastes great. For extra flavor, you can also add roasted garlic cloves or garlic paste.

Add a little garlic powder, garlic salt, or granulated garlic to the chicken as it’s almost done cooking to make it taste better. The options for getting more garlic flavor are endless.

Brighten with Acid

The rich, creamy garlic sauce benefits from a pop of acidity. Brighten up the flavor by squeezing fresh lemon or lime juice over the finished chicken. I also like to deglaze the pan with white wine or chicken broth to pick up browned bits.

For a tangy twist, stir in a spoonful of capers, sun-dried tomatoes or artichoke hearts. The acidity helps cut through the heaviness and brings the flavors to life.

Stir in Veggies

Besides the standard carrots and corn, incorporatin additional fresh vegetables amps up the flavor, texture and nutrition. Try stirring in broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, squash, snap peas, onions or mushrooms.

I love using red bell peppers since they add a pop of color and sweetness. Cook them just until crisp-tender so they retain their crunch. Extra veggies provide more depth and keep things interesting.

Add Creaminess

The frozen garlic sauce can seem thin at times. For more richness, stir in a spoonful of cream cheese, heavy cream, sour cream or plain Greek yogurt. I also enhance the sauce by adding a sprinkle of Parmesan or other melty cheese right at the end.

The dairy provides creaminess while the cheese contributes a savory, salty punch. Just don’t overdo it or the sauce may become too heavy.

Use Quick Cooking Techniques

Take advantage of quick cooking techniques to bring out more flavor in your Voila garlic chicken:

• Sear the raw chicken before simmering to get caramelized browning for deeper flavor.

• Sauté aromatics like garlic, shallots or onions in oil before adding the chicken.

• Deglaze the pan with wine or broth to loosen up browned bits.

• Let the dish simmer for 5-10 minutes so the flavors mingle.

• Finish with a pat of butter for a rich, glossy sauce.

Customize the Protein

If you want to change things up, you can easily substitute or add different proteins besides chicken. I often use shrimp instead for a seafood twist – just stir it in during the last few minutes of cooking.

Slices of grilled sausage or crispy bacon also pair nicely with the garlic flavor. Or go meatless with cubed extra-firm tofu or chickpeas. Get creative with the proteins you enjoy!

Serve with Creative Sides

Voila garlic chicken tastes even better when paired with complementary side dishes. Here are some of my favorites:

• Cheesy polenta or creamy mashed potatoes
• Garlic bread or rolls
• Sauteed spinach or roasted Brussels sprouts
• Quinoa or rice pilaf
• Pasta with pesto or alfredo sauce

Sides provide texture and balance out the richness of the chicken. The possibilities are endless for what you can serve it with!

Make a Full Meal

For a satisfying one-pan meal, I cook Voila garlic chicken with plenty of vegetables and grains. Here are a few easy meal ideas:

• Chicken with broccoli and brown rice
• Chicken with peppers, zucchini and quinoa
• Chicken with snap peas and orzo
• Chicken with carrots, cauliflower and couscous

Cooking everything together results in a hearty, healthy meal with minimal cleanup. It transforms Voila garlic chicken from a boring frozen dinner to a complete meal.

Change Up Cooking Methods

Voila garlic chicken is convenient since you can cook it straight from frozen, but playing around with different cooking methods can enhance the flavor. Here are some methods worth trying:

• Bake in the oven at 400°F until the chicken is browned and crispy.

• Saute in a skillet on the stovetop over medium-high heat for more caramelization.

• Grill on an outdoor grill or grill pan for smoky flavor.

• Slow-cook in a crockpot on low for 4-6 hours until fall-off-the-bone tender.

• Air-fry at 380°F for a crispy, crunchy texture without oil.

Don’t limit yourself to just microwave or stovetop cooking. Trying new techniques keeps the dish exciting.

Make Leftovers Even Better

One bonus of Voila garlic chicken is that the flavors improve after sitting. To make leftovers even more delicious, I like to:

• Shred or dice the chicken and add it to salads, wraps or flatbreads.

• Toss the chicken with pasta and extra Parmesan cheese.

• Stuff the chicken into a pita or sandwich with sliced veggies and hummus.

• Top pizza crust with the chicken, mozzarella and a drizzle of the garlic sauce.

Leftover chicken is endlessly versatile. A little creativity makes boring leftovers tasty again.

Satisfy Garlic Lovers

For hardcore garlic fans, you can never have enough garlic flavor. Here are some ideas for getting the absolute most garlic intensity:

• Double or triple the amount of garlic cloves
• Use minced garlic, garlic paste and garlic powder
• Add a spoonful of roasted garlic spread or tapenade
• Finish with a drizzle of garlic-infused olive oil
• Offer extra minced or roasted garlic on the side

When you love garlic, there’s no such thing as too much. Embrace the garlic goodness!

Adjust Heat to Taste

If you like things spicy,Voila garlic chicken may seem a little tame. Kick up the heat with your favorite hot sauces and peppers:

• Stir in sriracha, Tabasco or harissa sauce
• Add sliced jalapeños, serranos or other hot peppers
• Use cayenne, crushed red pepper flakes or chili oil
• Mix in curry powder, five-spice powder or chili paste
• Garnish with diced pickled peppers for a tangy crunch

On the other hand, reduce the heat for kids by skipping hot spices and using milder peppers. Cater the spice level to your personal taste.

Make It Your Own

Voila garlic chicken is the perfect blank canvas to customize with your favorite flavors. Don’t be afraid to experiment and make the dish your own:

• Swap in different herbs, spices, vegetables and proteins.

• Add cheese, cream or acid for richness and tang.

• Use quick cooking techniques to build more flavor.

• Pair with creative sides for a complete meal.

• Adjust heat level, garlic intensity and richness as desired.

The ideas for spicing up Voila garlic chicken are endless. With a bit of creativity, you can transform a boring frozen dinner into an insanely delicious masterpiece.

Spice It Up!

Voila garlic chicken is a handy shortcut on busy nights but has the potential to get boring quickly. By following my tips for spicing it up, you can take your Voila garlic chicken from bland to bold in minutes. Experiment with different ingredient combinations, cooking techniques and flavor profiles until you find a version that suits your taste. Get creative and have fun making this frozen dinner your own. Dinnertime will never be dull again with my ideas for spicing up Voila garlic chicken. Just grab a bag from the freezer and get ready to turn up the flavor!