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Garlic Butter Chicken
Garlic Butter Chicken is a comforting, flavorful dinner that comes together in just 25 minutes. Juicy chicken is coated in a rich garlic butter sauce with savory broth, bright lemon, and herbs, making this an easy meal that feels special enough for guests.
Quick Overview
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Servings: 4 servings
Why Make This Recipe
- Quick and simple: This one-pan chicken dinner requires basic ingredients and minimal preparation.
- Packed with flavor: Garlic, butter, broth, herbs, and lemon create a rich, savory sauce.
- Easy to customize: Use chicken breasts or juicy boneless chicken thighs, and adjust the spice to suit your taste.
- Perfect for busy nights: The entire meal comes together in about 25 minutes and pairs well with many side dishes.
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds chicken breast or chicken thighs (boneless is easiest) (Can use thighs for juiciness.)
- Salt (To taste.)
- Black pepper (To taste.)
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons butter, divided
- 5-6 cloves garlic, minced (Yes, it sounds like a lot, it is perfect.)
- 1 cup chicken broth (Broth tastes best, but water can be used in a pinch.)
- 1-2 teaspoons lemon juice (Optional but brightens the dish.)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning or dried parsley
- A pinch red pepper flakes (Optional for spice.)
How to Make It
Prepare the chicken. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper.
Heat the skillet. Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook without moving it too much.
Cook the chicken. Cook for about 4 to 6 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until cooked through.
Set the chicken aside. Move the chicken to a plate. Lower the heat and add the remaining butter to the pan.
Cook the garlic. Add minced garlic and stir for about 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant.
Build the sauce. Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up the browned bits from the pan. Add Italian seasoning or parsley and red pepper flakes if using.
Reduce the sauce. Let the sauce bubble for 2 to 4 minutes to reduce slightly. Add lemon juice if using.
Finish the dish. Return the chicken to the pan and spoon the sauce over it. Warm for another minute or two before serving.
How to Serve It
- Spoon the garlic butter sauce over mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta.
- Serve with steamed green beans, roasted vegetables, or a crisp green salad.
- Garnish with dried parsley or a small squeeze of lemon for extra brightness.
How to Store It
Store leftover chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat until warmed through, spooning the sauce over the chicken as it heats to help keep it moist.
For longer storage, place the cooled chicken and sauce in a freezer-safe container and freeze. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating gently in a skillet. The sauce may separate slightly after freezing, but stirring it gently as it warms can help bring it back together.
Helpful Tips
- Pat the chicken dry first. Removing excess moisture helps the chicken cook more evenly and develop better browning.
- Avoid moving the chicken too much. Let it cook undisturbed so the outside can brown before turning it.
- Watch the garlic carefully. Keep the heat lowered and stir the garlic for about 30 seconds to 1 minute so it becomes fragrant without burning.
Optional Variations
- Use boneless chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts for a juicier result.
- Add extra red pepper flakes for a spicier garlic butter sauce.
- Replace Italian seasoning with dried parsley, or use water instead of chicken broth when needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Yes. Boneless chicken thighs work well and can make the dish especially juicy.
Can I use water instead of chicken broth?
Yes, water can be used in a pinch, although chicken broth provides more flavor.
Is the lemon juice necessary?
No. Lemon juice is optional, but it brightens the rich butter sauce and balances the savory flavors.
How do I know when the chicken is done?
Cook the chicken for about 4 to 6 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until cooked through.
Can I make this recipe less spicy?
Yes. Simply leave out the red pepper flakes for a mild garlic butter chicken.
Garlic Butter Chicken
A comforting and flavorful one-pan chicken dinner prepared in just 25 minutes, featuring juicy chicken coated in a rich garlic butter sauce with savory broth, bright lemon, and herbs.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds chicken breast or chicken thighs (boneless is easiest) Can use thighs for juiciness.
- Salt To taste.
- Black pepper To taste.
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons butter, divided
- 5-6 cloves garlic, minced Yes, it sounds like a lot, it is perfect.
- 1 cup chicken broth Broth tastes best, but water can be used in a pinch.
- 1-2 teaspoons lemon juice Optional but brightens the dish.
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning or dried parsley
- a pinch red pepper flakes Optional for spice.
Instructions
Preparation
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper.
Cooking
- Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook without moving it too much.
- Cook for about 4 to 6 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until cooked through.
- Move the chicken to a plate. Lower the heat and add the remaining butter to the pan.
- Add minced garlic and stir for about 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up the browned bits from the pan. Add Italian seasoning or parsley and red pepper flakes if using.
- Let the sauce bubble for 2 to 4 minutes to reduce slightly. Add lemon juice if using.
- Return the chicken to the pan and spoon the sauce over it. Warm for another minute or two before serving.
Notes
Spoon the garlic butter sauce over mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta. Serve with steamed green beans, roasted vegetables, or a crisp green salad. Garnish with dried parsley or a small squeeze of lemon for extra brightness.
