Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe (Easy 20-Minute Dinner)

This Garlic Butter Chicken is a quick and easy recipe that’s perfect for a delicious weeknight meal! Imagine tender, juicy chicken breasts cooked to perfection in a skillet with a rich and flavorful garlic butter sauce. This dish is simple to prepare, ready in just 20 minutes, and sure to become a new family favorite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Quick and Easy: Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe comes together in a flash with minimal ingredients and simple steps.
  • Flavorful and Aromatic: The combination of garlic, butter, and herbs creates a mouthwatering sauce that coats every chicken breast.
  • Versatile: Serve this chicken with your favorite sides, such as mashed potatoes, rice pilaf, or steamed vegetables. It’s also great for meal prepping or adding to salads and sandwiches.
  • Juicy and Tender: The cooking method ensures that the chicken breasts stay juicy and tender.

Ingredients

  • Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Use high-quality chicken breasts for the best flavor and texture.
  • Sea salt: Enhances the flavor of the chicken.
  • Black pepper: Adds a touch of heat.
  • Dried thyme, oregano, rosemary, and parsley: A blend of dried herbs that adds a fragrant touch.
  • Olive oil: Used to sear the chicken and create a flavorful base for the sauce.
  • Unsalted butter: Adds richness and flavor to the sauce.
  • Chicken broth: Adds depth of flavor to the sauce.
  • Garlic: Minced and added to the sauce for a fragrant and savory kick.

Note: For exact measurements, see the recipe card below!

How to Make Garlic Butter Chicken

Step 1: Season and Sear

Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and the dried herbs. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts in a single layer and sear for 4-8 minutes per side, or until golden brown and just barely cooked through. Reduce the heat to medium if the chicken starts to brown too quickly. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and cover to keep warm.

Step 2: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce

Add the butter and chicken broth to the skillet. As the butter melts, scrape the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to deglaze, incorporating all those flavorful browned bits into the sauce. Reduce the heat to low. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, or until fragrant.

Step 3: Finish and Serve

Return the chicken breasts to the skillet and flip them once or twice to coat in the sauce. If needed, heat for 1-2 minutes longer, or until warmed through. Serve the garlic butter chicken with the pan juices spooned over the top.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

  • Pat the chicken dry: Patting the chicken dry helps it sear properly and achieve a golden brown crust.
  • Don’t overcrowd the pan: Cooking the chicken in a single layer ensures even browning and prevents steaming.
  • Use a meat thermometer: An instant-read thermometer is the best way to ensure the chicken is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
  • Adjust the cooking time: The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the chicken breasts.
  • Make extra sauce: Double the amount of butter, garlic, and broth for extra sauce to serve with the chicken.

How to Serve

Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe (Easy 20-Minute Dinner)

This Garlic Butter Chicken is delicious with a variety of sides:

  • Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes are a classic pairing for this dish.
  • Rice Pilaf: A flavorful rice pilaf complements the richness of the garlic butter sauce.
  • Steamed Vegetables: Serve with steamed broccoli, green beans, or asparagus for a balanced and nutritious meal.

Make Ahead and Storage

This Garlic Butter Chicken is best enjoyed fresh, but you can also prepare components ahead of time or store leftovers for later.

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Freezing

You can freeze the cooked chicken breasts for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating

Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat until warmed through.

FAQs

1. Can I use bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts? Yes, you can! However, you’ll need to adjust the cooking time accordingly, as bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts will take longer to cook.

2. Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh? Yes, you can! This recipe uses dried herbs for convenience, but you can substitute with fresh herbs if you prefer.

3. Can I use a different type of oil? Absolutely! Avocado oil, grapeseed oil, or even butter would be good substitutes for olive oil.

4. Can I make this recipe without the wine? Yes, you can! You can substitute the white wine with an equal amount of chicken broth or water.

This Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe is a quick, easy, and delicious way to enjoy a flavorful and satisfying meal. With its simple preparation, versatile serving options, and juicy, tender chicken, it’s a recipe you’ll want to make again and again!

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Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe (Easy 20-Minute Dinner)

Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe (Easy 20-Minute Dinner)

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  • Author: Emily
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Pan-sear, Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Description

 This Garlic Butter Chicken is a simple yet flavorful dish that’s ready in just 20 minutes! Tender chicken breasts are seared to golden perfection and coated in a rich garlic butter sauce. It’s an easy and satisfying meal that’s perfect for any night of the week.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 4 (8-oz) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 teaspoons sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions

  1. Season Chicken: Pat chicken breasts dry and season with salt, pepper, thyme, oregano, rosemary, and parsley.
  2. Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 4-8 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer chicken to a plate and cover to keep warm.
  3. Make Sauce: Add butter and chicken broth to the skillet. Scrape the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to deglaze. Reduce heat to low, add garlic, and sauté for 1 minute.
  4. Combine and Serve: Return chicken to the skillet and flip to coat in the sauce. Heat for 1-2 minutes, or until warmed through. Serve chicken with pan sauce spooned over.

Notes

  • For best results, use a stainless steel skillet or a cast-iron skillet.
  • If you don’t have all the dried herbs, you can use a combination of your favorites or an Italian seasoning blend.
  • Serve with your favorite sides, such as mashed potatoes, rice pilaf, or steamed vegetables.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
  • Calories: 300
  • Sugar: 1g
  • Sodium: 500mg
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 11g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 2g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 35g
  • Cholesterol: 120mg

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