Sizzling Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe for Weeknight Magic

Weeknight dinners find their perfect match in this garlic butter chicken that promises pure culinary magic.

Succulent pieces of tender meat melt under a luxurious herbed sauce.

Minimal ingredients combine for maximum flavor, creating a dish that feels both elegant and effortless.

Aromas will drift through your kitchen, signaling something delicious is happening.

Richness and simplicity dance together in this straightforward recipe.

Seasoned home cooks and kitchen novices alike can master this delectable meal with confidence.

Let’s unlock the secret to making restaurant-quality chicken right in your own space.

Highlights of Garlic Butter Chicken

• Create Mouthwatering Flavor: Garlic butter sauce transforms ordinary chicken into a restaurant-quality dish that bursts with rich, savory taste.
• Master Simple Cooking Techniques: Perfectly seared chicken with a delicious pan sauce teaches fundamental cooking skills that build kitchen confidence.
• Satisfy Hungry Families Fast: This one-skillet wonder delivers a delectable meal with minimal cleanup, making weeknight dinners stress-free and enjoyable.
• Versatile Meal Solution: Serve alongside rice, pasta, or vegetables for a complete meal that adapts to different dietary preferences and hunger levels.

Must-Have Ingredients For Garlic Butter Chicken

• Chicken Breasts: Tender and lean meat that serves as the main protein for this flavorful dish.

• Salt, Black Pepper, Italian Seasoning: A blend of herbs and spices that enhances the chicken's natural flavor and adds depth to the dish.

• Olive Oil, Butter, Garlic: Essential ingredients that create a rich, golden-brown exterior for the chicken and provide a luxurious, aromatic garlic butter sauce.

• Fresh Parsley: A bright, fresh herb that adds color and a light, herbal finish to the completed dish.

Step-By-Step Garlic Butter Chicken Instructions

Step 1: Prep and Season Chicken

• Salt
• Black pepper
• Italian seasoning

Ensure both sides of the chicken are evenly coated with the seasonings.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken

Place a large skillet over medium heat and pour in olive oil. When the oil shimmers, carefully add the chicken breasts.

Cook each side for 6-7 minutes, allowing a beautiful golden-brown crust to develop. The chicken should be completely cooked through with no pink in the center.

Transfer the chicken to a clean plate and set aside.

Step 3: Create Garlic Butter Sauce

In the same skillet where you cooked the chicken, melt butter until it becomes bubbly.

Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning. The kitchen will fill with an incredible aromatic fragrance.

Step 4: Combine Chicken and Sauce

Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Gently spoon the hot garlic butter sauce over each piece, ensuring they’re well-coated.

Let the chicken warm through for an additional 2-3 minutes, absorbing all the delicious flavors.

Step 5: Finish and Serve

Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the chicken for a pop of color and fresh flavor.

Transfer to serving plates immediately while the dish is hot and the sauce is glossy.

Tips For Succulent Garlic Butter Chicken Every Time

• Opt for boneless, skinless chicken breasts that are uniform in thickness to ensure even cooking and prevent dry spots.
• Pat chicken dry with paper towels before seasoning to help achieve a beautiful golden-brown crust and enhance flavor absorption.
• Use fresh garlic for the most robust and aromatic flavor, mincing it finely to distribute evenly throughout the butter sauce.
• Test chicken doneness with a meat thermometer, aiming for an internal temperature of 165°F to guarantee safe and juicy results.
• Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, reheating gently to maintain moisture and prevent toughness.

Creative Variations On Garlic Butter Chicken

• Low-Carb Keto Version: Replace olive oil with avocado oil, use grass-fed butter, and serve with cauliflower rice instead of traditional sides.
• Mediterranean Herb Remix: Swap Italian seasoning for za'atar spice blend, add lemon zest to garlic butter sauce, and sprinkle with fresh oregano.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Use coconut oil instead of butter, add dairy-free milk for moisture, and incorporate dairy-free nutritional yeast for extra flavor.
• Spicy Cajun Spin: Mix Cajun seasoning with salt and pepper, use smoked paprika, and add red pepper flakes to the garlic butter sauce for heat.

Serving Garlic Butter Chicken In Style

• Dinner Party Delight: Impress guests by serving the chicken on a rustic wooden board with roasted vegetables and a drizzle of extra garlic butter sauce for a restaurant-style presentation.
• Family Comfort Meal: Pair the chicken with creamy mashed potatoes or buttery rice to soak up the delicious garlic butter sauce, creating a hearty and satisfying family dinner.
• Quick Lunch Wrap: Slice the garlic butter chicken and wrap it in a soft tortilla with fresh greens, adding a dollop of sour cream or ranch dressing for a portable and tasty lunch option.
• Salad Topper: Chop the chicken and sprinkle over a crisp mixed green salad with cherry tomatoes and a light vinaigrette for a protein-packed, low-carb meal alternative.

How To Store Garlic Butter Chicken Safely

• Refrigerate leftover garlic butter chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Store the chicken in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, keeping the sauce separate to preserve its texture and flavor.
• To freeze, place chicken in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
• Thaw frozen chicken in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

FAQs

• Is it necessary to use Italian seasoning?

Yes, it adds a delicious herb flavor that complements the chicken and garlic butter sauce perfectly.

• Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs work great and can be even more flavorful and juicy.

• What if I don't have fresh garlic?

You can substitute with garlic powder, using about 1/2 teaspoon as an alternative to fresh minced garlic.

• How do I know the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.

Crispy Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe

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4.7 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent garlic butter chicken delights home cooks with its rich, savory flavors from Italian culinary traditions. Herb-infused butter and tender chicken create a simple yet elegant meal that satisfies your dinner cravings.

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Ingredients

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Main Proteins:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Seasonings and Herbs:

• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Fats and Oils:

• 1/3 cup (79 milliliters) butter
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil

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Instructions

1. Generously coat chicken with a blend of salt, black pepper, and aromatic Italian seasoning, ensuring even coverage.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high temperature (375°F), carefully placing seasoned chicken breasts into the pan.
3. Sear chicken for approximately 6-7 minutes on each side, watching for a golden-brown exterior and internal temperature reaching 165°F.
4. Transfer cooked chicken to a clean plate, keeping warm and retaining the flavorful pan drippings.
5. Reduce skillet heat to medium-low, melt butter until it becomes slightly foamy and translucent.
6. Add minced garlic to the melted butter, stirring continuously for 1-2 minutes to release its fragrant essence without burning.
7. Gently return chicken to the skillet, lovingly coating each piece with the rich, aromatic garlic butter sauce.
8. Allow chicken to simmer in the sauce for an additional 2-3 minutes, ensuring thorough flavor integration.
9. Remove from heat and sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the chicken for a vibrant, herbaceous finish.
10. Plate immediately, drizzling any remaining garlic butter sauce over the chicken for maximum flavor impact.

Notes

• Choose boneless, skinless chicken breasts of uniform thickness to ensure even cooking and prevent dry spots.
• Pat chicken dry with paper towels before seasoning to help achieve a perfect golden-brown crust and enhance flavor absorption.
• Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature reaches 165°F for safe and juicy chicken.
• Swap butter with olive oil or ghee for dairy-free or lactose-intolerant diets, maintaining similar rich flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 291 kcal
• Sugar: 0.1 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 1 g
• Fiber: 0.1 g
• Protein: 26 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg