1-Start by gathering all your ingredients for this garlic and chive mashed potatoes recipe to make the process smooth and fun. Place the peeled and quartered potatoes in a pot and cover them with cold water, then bring it to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook partially covered for 15-18 minutes until the potatoes are easily pierced with a fork.

2-While the potatoes cook, warm the 1 1/3 cups of whole milk and the 6 garlic cloves in a small pot until just steaming, then remove from heat and discard the garlic if you prefer. Drain the cooked potatoes and return them to the pot over very low heat to mash immediately using a potato masher or electric hand mixer. This helps avoid a gummy texture, keeping your garlic mashed potatoes with chives light and fluffy.

3-Slowly drizzle in the warm milk until you reach your desired texture, then cut the 8 tablespoons of softened unsalted butter into chunks and mash it in until well mixed. Stir in the 1/4 cup of sour cream and 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons of fine sea salt to taste for extra creaminess. Serve the mashed potatoes warm, drizzled with melted butter and sprinkled with the 2 tablespoons of finely chopped chives, making it a standout side dish.