Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe

Sizzling Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe for Flavor Lovers

My kitchen always comes alive with this irresistible garlic butter chicken recipe that promises pure comfort and flavor.

Home cooks adore simple meals packed with robust taste and minimal effort.

Succulent chicken breasts meet a luxurious blend of melted butter and aromatic garlic, creating a dish that feels both elegant and approachable.

Every bite delivers rich, creamy goodness that makes weeknight dinners feel special.

Minimal ingredients combine to produce maximum satisfaction, ensuring you’ll want to make this again and again.

Fragrant herbs and golden-brown edges hint at the deliciousness waiting on your plate.

Prepare to savor a meal that will quickly become your new favorite go-to dinner solution.

Garlic Butter Chicken Storage Plan

  • Store leftover chicken in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator, keeping the sauce separate to prevent soggy meat.
  • Wrap individual portions in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. Freeze for maximum 2 months to maintain best quality and flavor.
  • Warm chicken at 325°F wrapped in foil for 10-15 minutes, adding a splash of chicken broth to prevent drying out.
  • Heat on medium power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly and maintain moisture.

Garlic Butter Chicken: Best Matches

  • Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to complement the rich garlic butter sauce, cutting through its richness while enhancing the chicken's delicate flavors.
  • Roasted Vegetable Side: Create a colorful medley of roasted bell peppers, zucchini, and asparagus that absorbs the garlic butter sauce, providing a vibrant and nutritious accompaniment to the main dish.
  • Creamy Mashed Potatoes: Whip up smooth, buttery mashed potatoes that perfectly soak up the extra garlic butter sauce, creating a luxurious and comforting side that balances the chicken's savory profile.
  • Crusty Artisan Bread: Serve warm, crusty bread to soak up every last drop of the flavorful garlic butter sauce, turning this dish into an interactive and satisfying dining experience.

Garlic Butter Chicken with Tasty Adjustments

  • Low-Carb Version: Replace chicken breasts with chicken thighs for higher fat content. Use ghee instead of butter to enhance flavor and reduce carbohydrates.
  • Dairy-Free Alternative: Substitute butter with coconut oil or olive oil. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth to maintain moisture and flavor profile.
  • Herb-Infused Variation: Incorporate fresh rosemary or thyme into the seasoning mix. Replace Italian seasoning with a blend of fresh chopped herbs for a more vibrant taste.
  • Spicy Kick Option: Add red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the seasoning blend. Include diced jalapeños in the garlic butter sauce for extra heat and complexity.

FAQs

  • Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Yes, you can easily substitute chicken thighs. Just adjust cooking time to ensure they’re fully cooked through, as thighs might take slightly longer than chicken breasts.

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

Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature. Chicken should reach 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part to be safely cooked.

  • What if I don't have Italian seasoning?

Create a quick blend using dried oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary in equal proportions. If you only have one or two herbs, those will work fine too.

  • Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

You can prepare the chicken and sauce in advance and reheat gently in the skillet or microwave. Just be careful not to overcook the chicken to maintain its moisture.

Garlic Butter Chicken Is a Weeknight Staple for a Reason

  • Elevate Weeknight Dinners: Whip up this restaurant-quality chicken in just 20 minutes, transforming ordinary meals into something spectacular with minimal effort.
  • Foolproof Flavor Boost: Perfect for novice cooks, the recipe requires simple techniques and basic ingredients, ensuring delicious results every single time without complex skills.
  • One-Pan Wonder: Minimize kitchen cleanup by using a single skillet for cooking chicken and creating a rich, velvety garlic butter sauce, saving time and reducing dish washing.
  • Family-Friendly Crowd-Pleaser: Delivers tender, juicy chicken with a luxurious sauce that appeals to both adults and kids, making mealtime stress-free and enjoyable for everyone.

Garlic Butter Chicken Must-Haves

Protein Ingredients:
  • Chicken Breasts: Lean and tender meat that serves as the main protein, best when fresh and of high quality.
  • Salt, Pepper: Classic seasonings that enhance the natural flavor of the chicken, choose sea salt or kosher salt for better taste.
Seasoning Ingredients:
  • Paprika: Adds mild, sweet pepper flavor and beautiful color to the chicken, Hungarian or Spanish varieties recommended.
  • Italian Seasoning: Herb blend that provides depth and aromatic complexity to the dish, pre-mixed or homemade blend works well.
Sauce and Cooking Ingredients:
  • Olive Oil: Used for searing chicken and provides a subtle fruity undertone, extra virgin recommended for best flavor.
  • Butter: Creates rich, creamy sauce base with luxurious mouthfeel, unsalted butter preferred for better control of saltiness.
  • Garlic: Provides intense, sharp flavor to the sauce, fresh garlic cloves offer the most robust taste.
  • Chicken Broth: Adds moisture and deepens sauce's flavor profile, low-sodium version allows more seasoning control.
Garnish Ingredient:
  • Fresh Parsley: Brings fresh, bright color and light herbaceous note to finish the dish, flat-leaf parsley preferred.

Garlic Butter Chicken Simple Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Prep The Chicken

Grab your chicken breasts and coat them generously with salt, black pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning.

Massage the spices into both sides of the meat to ensure deep flavor penetration.

Step 2: Sizzle The Protein

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Carefully place chicken breasts into the hot pan.

Cook each side for 4-5 minutes until a beautiful golden-brown crust forms and the chicken reaches perfect doneness.

Transfer cooked chicken to a clean plate.

Step 3: Create Aromatic Garlic Butter Base

In the same skillet, drop butter and let it melt smoothly.

Toss in minced garlic and swirl around for about 30 seconds until the kitchen fills with a rich, enticing aroma.

Step 4: Build Complex Flavor Profile

Pour chicken broth into the skillet, using a wooden spoon to scrape up all those delicious caramelized brown bits stuck to the bottom.

Allow the liquid to simmer and reduce slightly for 2-3 minutes.

Step 5: Unite Chicken With Sauce

Gently return chicken breasts back to the skillet.

Spoon the luxurious garlic butter sauce over the meat, ensuring every inch gets coated.

Let everything mingle together for another 2-3 minutes.

Step 6: Finish With Fresh Herbs

Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley across the top for a burst of color and bright flavor.

Serve immediately while hot and fragrant.

Garlic Butter Chicken Cooking Tips Everyone Should Know

  • Use fresh garlic cloves instead of pre-minced for a more robust and authentic taste that elevates the entire dish.
  • Ensure chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature without overcooking by using a meat thermometer for perfectly juicy results.
  • Add a teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with cold water to the broth if you prefer a slightly thicker, more clingy sauce consistency.
  • Experiment with different herb combinations like thyme, rosemary, or dried oregano to personalize the chicken's flavor profile.
  • Serve over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles for a lighter, keto-friendly meal that maintains the delicious garlic butter essence.
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Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe

Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe


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4.7 from 22 reviews

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

Description

Succulent garlic butter chicken delivers a mouthwatering symphony of flavors that dance across your palate. Crispy golden edges and rich, herbed butter sauce promise a delightful meal you’ll savor with every delectable bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Protein:

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Seasonings and Spices:

  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Cooking Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons (45 grams) unsalted butter
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup (240 milliliters) chicken broth
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Transform succulent chicken breasts by generously coating them with a harmonious blend of salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning, ensuring each surface receives an even, flavorful treatment.
  2. Activate a large skillet over medium heat, drizzle with olive oil, and carefully place seasoned chicken breasts into the glistening pan. Allow each side to develop a golden-brown crust while cooking thoroughly, approximately 4-5 minutes per side.
  3. Transfer perfectly cooked chicken to a temporary resting plate, maintaining its warmth and juiciness.
  4. Utilize the same skillet’s residual heat and flavor foundation, gently melt butter until it becomes a luxurious golden liquid. Introduce minced garlic, stirring rapidly to release its aromatic essence without burning.
  5. Deglaze the pan by pouring chicken broth, using a wooden spoon to lift and incorporate the caramelized remnants from the chicken’s cooking process. Allow the liquid to simmer and reduce, concentrating its complex flavors.
  6. Reintroduce the chicken breasts into the silky garlic butter sauce, tenderly coating each piece and permitting the ingredients to harmonize for an additional 2-3 minutes.
  7. Elevate the dish’s visual appeal and fresh flavor profile by sprinkling finely chopped parsley across the glistening chicken just before serving.

Notes

  • Ensure chicken is evenly seasoned by patting it dry before adding spices, which helps create a perfect golden-brown crust.
  • Use high-quality butter and fresh garlic for a more intense, rich flavor that elevates the entire dish.
  • For a low-carb version, replace chicken broth with heavy cream or white wine to create a luxurious sauce without adding extra carbohydrates.
  • Allow chicken to rest for a few minutes after cooking to retain maximum juiciness and prevent dry meat.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 380
  • Sugar: 0g
  • Sodium: 800mg
  • Fat: 24g
  • Saturated Fat: 10g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 1g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 36g
  • Cholesterol: 100mg
Katherine Pierce

Katherine Pierce

Recipe Curator & Food Educator

Expertise

  • Curating diverse recipe collections
  • Educating on global culinary traditions
  • Developing informative food content

Education

Boston University Metropolitan College
Certificate Program in the Culinary Arts
Focus: French and international cuisine techniques, Hands-on culinary training with industry professionals, Food industry insights and operations


Katherine grew up believing every dish has a story. She studied the art of food at Boston University and explored the history behind it. She loves pulling easy recipes from every corner of the world and putting them at your fingertips.
When Katherine’s not writing or testing new flavors, she’s teaching cooking classes, baking colorful mooncakes, or dreaming up new ways to mix old favorites with new twists.

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