Easy Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe: Juicy Weeknight Magic

Crispy, golden chicken draped in a luscious garlic butter sauce promises pure culinary magic.

Flavors dance across your plate with irresistible charm.

Tender meat meets rich, aromatic seasonings that whisper comfort and excitement.

Weeknight dinners never looked so tempting or felt so effortless.

Simple ingredients combine to create something extraordinary on your dinner table.

Aromas will swirl through your kitchen, drawing everyone closer with anticipation.

You won’t be able to resist this mouthwatering masterpiece that turns an ordinary meal into a celebration.

Garlic Butter Chicken Overview

• Customize with Ease: Versatile dish allows simple ingredient swaps or additions, making it adaptable for different taste preferences and dietary needs.
• Impress Without Stress: Professional-looking meal that requires basic cooking skills, guaranteeing a restaurant-quality dinner without complicated techniques or extensive culinary knowledge.
• One-Skillet Wonder: Minimizes kitchen cleanup with a single pan cooking method, reducing dishwashing time and making meal preparation incredibly convenient for weeknight dinners.

Garlic Butter Chicken Ingredients

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that serves as the main star of this delicious meal.

• Butter, Salt, Pepper: Butter adds rich flavor, while salt and pepper enhance the chicken's natural taste.

• Garlic, Chicken Broth, Thyme, Parsley: Garlic provides aromatic depth, chicken broth creates a light sauce, thyme adds earthy notes, and parsley offers a fresh finishing touch.

Cooking Steps for Garlic Butter Chicken

Step 1: Seasoning The Chicken

Sprinkle salt and pepper generously over both sides of the chicken breasts, ensuring an even coating that will help create a delicious flavor profile.

Step 2: Searing The Chicken

Heat a skillet over medium heat and add butter.

Once the butter melts and starts to shimmer, carefully place the chicken breasts into the pan.

Cook the chicken for 6-7 minutes on each side until they turn a beautiful golden brown and are completely cooked through.

Gently remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

Step 3: Creating Garlic Infusion

In the same skillet with the remaining butter, add minced garlic.

Sauté the garlic until it becomes wonderfully aromatic and releases its rich, savory fragrance, which should take about 1 minute.

Step 4: Developing The Sauce

Pour in chicken broth and sprinkle in thyme and parsley.

Allow the mixture to simmer and reduce, creating a flavorful sauce that will complement the chicken perfectly.

This process should take 2-3 minutes.

Step 5: Reuniting Chicken With Sauce

Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet.

Spoon the luscious sauce over the chicken, ensuring each piece is generously coated.

Let the chicken warm through in the sauce for an additional 2 minutes.

Step 6: Final Garnish

Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley over the chicken just before serving, adding a burst of color and a fresh herb accent to the dish.

Tips for Garlic Butter Chicken

• Pat chicken dry before seasoning to ensure a golden, crispy exterior and juicy interior.
• Use unsalted butter to control salt levels and prevent the dish from becoming too salty.
• Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
• Replace thyme with rosemary or oregano for a different flavor profile if desired.
• Let sauce simmer uncovered to concentrate flavors and achieve a slightly thicker consistency.

Variations for Garlic Butter Chicken

• Herb-Infused Chicken: Replace thyme with rosemary or sage for a different aromatic profile, adding depth to the classic garlic butter sauce.
• Low-Carb Keto Option: Swap chicken broth with heavy cream and add extra butter for a rich, ketogenic-friendly version that maintains the dish's creamy texture.
• Mediterranean Chicken: Incorporate sun-dried tomatoes and olives into the sauce, creating a tangy Mediterranean-inspired variation with a zesty flavor profile.
• Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken: Add red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the sauce for those who enjoy a spicy kick, transforming the mild dish into a fiery meal.

Serving Ideas for Garlic Butter Chicken

• Weeknight Dinner Companion: Pair this succulent garlic butter chicken with fluffy mashed potatoes or creamy rice to soak up the delicious sauce.
• Elegant Plate Presentation: Slice chicken at an angle and fan out over a bed of roasted seasonal vegetables like asparagus or green beans for a restaurant-style look.
• Salad Sidekick: Complement the rich chicken with a crisp mixed green salad dressed in a light lemon vinaigrette to balance the buttery flavors and add freshness to the meal.
• Wine Pairing Magic: Serve alongside a chilled glass of crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to enhance the garlic and herb notes of the dish.

Storage Advice for Garlic Butter Chicken

• Store leftover chicken in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Wrap individual chicken pieces tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Label with date for tracking.
• Place chicken on microwave-safe plate, cover with damp paper towel. Heat at 50% power for 1-2 minutes, checking temperature to avoid drying out.
• Warm chicken in preheated 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes. Add splash of chicken broth to maintain moisture and prevent overcooking.

FAQs

• How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part of the chicken breast.

• Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh?

Yes, you can substitute dried thyme and parsley. Use about 1/3 of the amount of fresh herbs when using dried herbs.

• What if my chicken breasts are different thicknesses?

Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness before cooking to ensure uniform cooking and prevent dry or undercooked sections.

• Is it necessary to use a cast-iron or specific type of skillet?

While a cast-iron skillet works great, any heavy-bottomed skillet will work well for this recipe. The key is even heat distribution for consistent cooking.

Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe

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4.6 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Garlic butter chicken brings succulent flavors from Mediterranean kitchens straight to your dinner table. Rich herbs and creamy sauce elevate this classic dish, promising a delightful culinary experience you’ll savor with every delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Protein:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Herbs and Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Fats and Liquids:

• 4 tablespoons (60 milliliters) butter
• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) chicken broth
• 5 garlic cloves, minced

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Instructions

1. Generously coat chicken breasts with salt and black pepper, ensuring even seasoning on all sides.
2. Heat a skillet to medium temperature and melt butter, creating a golden cooking surface.
3. Carefully place seasoned chicken into the skillet, allowing each side to develop a rich, caramelized exterior for 6-7 minutes until thoroughly cooked.
4. Transfer chicken to a separate plate, maintaining its warmth and juiciness.
5. In the same skillet, add remaining butter and minced garlic, releasing aromatic flavors for approximately 1 minute.
6. Pour chicken broth into the skillet, incorporating fresh thyme and chopped parsley, creating a fragrant pan sauce.
7. Allow the sauce to gently simmer and reduce for 2-3 minutes, concentrating its delicate flavors.
8. Return chicken to the skillet, delicately coating each piece with the herb-infused sauce.
9. Warm the chicken in the sauce for an additional 2 minutes, ensuring optimal temperature and flavor absorption.
10. Finish the dish by sprinkling fresh parsley over the chicken, adding a vibrant final touch before serving.

Notes

• Pound chicken breasts evenly to ensure uniform cooking and prevent dry spots, helping achieve consistent golden-brown exterior.
• Use high-quality unsalted butter for better control of salt levels and richer flavor development in the sauce.
• Consider substituting thyme with rosemary or oregano for different herbal undertones that complement the garlic butter sauce.
• For gluten-free option, replace chicken broth with white wine or additional stock to maintain sauce consistency and depth of flavor.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 320 kcal
• Sugar: 0.4 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 1 g
• Fiber: 0.2 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg