Juicy Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe: Ready in a Flash

Garlic butter chicken enhances ordinary poultry into a mouthwatering sensation that elevates home cooking to restaurant-quality delights.

Rich, aromatic flavors dance across your palate with this remarkably simple dish.

Creamy butter and robust garlic create a luxurious coating that seals in moisture and intensifies every succulent bite.

Home cooks appreciate how quickly these ingredients come together for a stunning meal.

The combination promises a harmonious blend of savory notes that tantalize taste buds and spark culinary excitement.

Skilled chefs and kitchen novices alike can master this delectable preparation with minimal effort.

Comfort and elegance merge seamlessly in this crowd-pleasing recipe that guarantees satisfaction.

Garlic Butter Chicken: Why It’s a Weekly Winner

• Sizzle with Flavor: The recipe delivers a mouthwatering garlic butter sauce that coats the chicken with rich, aromatic goodness, creating an instant flavor explosion in every bite.
• Foolproof Cooking Technique: This one-skillet method makes cooking perfectly seared chicken super easy, even for beginner home cooks, with simple steps that guarantee golden-brown, juicy results every time.
• Quick Weeknight Winner: From start to finish, this chicken dish comes together in under 20 minutes, making it an ideal solution for busy families craving a delicious, home-cooked meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Restaurant-Quality at Home: The technique of deglazing the pan and creating a luxurious garlic butter sauce transforms an ordinary chicken breast into a restaurant-worthy meal that feels fancy but requires minimal culinary skills.

What You’ll Need to Make Garlic Butter Chicken

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that becomes tender and juicy when cooked properly, best when pounded to even thickness for consistent cooking.
• 21 Salute Seasoning or Poultry Seasoning: Adds complex flavor profile and enhances the overall taste of the chicken.
• Kosher Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning and bringing out the natural flavors of the chicken.

• Chicken Broth: Provides moisture and extra flavor depth to prevent chicken from drying out.
• Unsalted Butter: Creates rich, creamy sauce and adds luxurious flavor to the dish.

• Olive Oil: Helps prevent sticking and provides initial cooking fat for even browning.
• Garlic: Adds robust, intense flavor that complements the chicken perfectly.
• Fresh Parsley: Optional bright green garnish that adds fresh color and subtle herbal note.

How to Prepare Garlic Butter Chicken with Ease

Step 1: Prepare Chicken

• Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels
• Sprinkle seasonings evenly over both sides

Step 2: Sizzle The Protein

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high temperature

Carefully place seasoned chicken into hot pan

Cook without moving for 5-6 minutes until golden brown edges appear

Step 3: Flip And Continue Cooking

Turn chicken to opposite side

Cook additional 5 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F

Ensure no pink remains in center of chicken

Step 4: Remove And Rest Chicken

Transfer chicken to clean plate

Allow meat to rest and redistribute juices for 3-4 minutes

Step 5: Create Flavor Base

Pour chicken broth into same skillet

Scrape bottom of pan to release browned bits

Let liquid bubble briefly

Step 6: Develop Garlic Butter Sauce

Add butter to skillet

Stir continuously until butter melts completely

Sauté garlic until fragrant

Step 7: Finish And Serve

Return chicken to skillet

Coat each piece generously with garlic butter sauce

Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley on top

Transfer to serving plate

Clever Ideas to Improve Garlic Butter Chicken

• Choose Thick Cuts: Select uniformly thick chicken breasts to ensure even cooking and prevent dry edges.
• Control Heat Precision: Use medium-high heat to create a perfect golden sear without burning the chicken's exterior.
• Check Internal Temperature: Verify chicken is fully cooked by using a meat thermometer, aiming for 165°F at the thickest part.
• Butter Timing: Add butter after deglazing to prevent burning and create a rich, silky sauce with maximum flavor development.
• Resting Matters: Allow chicken to rest for 3-5 minutes after cooking to retain moisture and ensure juicy, tender meat.

Storing Garlic Butter Chicken the Smart Way

• Refrigerate: Transfer cooled chicken to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheat Gently: Warm chicken in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of chicken broth to prevent drying, stirring occasionally until heated through.
• Prevent Overcooking: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F without turning the chicken tough or rubbery.

What Tastes Best with Garlic Butter Chicken

• Create Garlic Butter Chicken Wine Harmony: Pair this savory dish with a crisp Chardonnay or light Pinot Grigio to complement the rich garlic butter sauce and cut through the chicken's richness.
• Craft Vibrant Side Dish Companions: Serve alongside roasted asparagus or a bright Mediterranean salad to balance the buttery chicken and add fresh, zesty flavors.
• Design Bread Dipping Delight: Include crusty artisan bread to soak up the delicious garlic butter sauce, transforming every bite into a complete flavor experience.
• Elevate Herb Finishing Touch: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or basil on top to add a burst of color and a light, aromatic note that enhances the overall dish's complexity.

Garlic Butter Chicken Variations to Try Tonight

• Mediterranean Herb Chicken: Replace 21 Salute seasoning with dried oregano, thyme, and rosemary. Add crumbled feta cheese on top for a Greek-inspired flavor profile.
• Spicy Cajun Version: Swap 21 Salute for Cajun seasoning and add a dash of cayenne pepper. Include sliced bell peppers during the searing process for extra heat and color.
• Lemon Garlic Infusion: Squeeze fresh lemon juice into the garlic butter sauce before coating the chicken. Sprinkle lemon zest on top for a bright, citrusy undertone that complements the rich butter sauce.
• Mushroom Garlic Chicken: Sauté sliced mushrooms in the skillet after removing the chicken. Add them to the garlic butter sauce for an earthy, umami-rich variation that enhances the overall depth of flavor.

Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe

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4.6 from 11 reviews

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

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Description

Succulent garlic butter chicken elevates weeknight dinners with minimal effort and maximum flavor. Mediterranean-inspired herbs and rich butter create a mouthwatering experience you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Proteins:

• 1 ½ pounds (680 grams) boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded to an even thickness (4 average-sized breasts)

Seasonings and Spices:

• 1 to 2 teaspoons 21 Salute Seasoning or poultry seasoning
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste

Cooking Liquids and Fats:

• 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) olive oil
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) chicken broth, or as necessary
• 3 tablespoons (42 grams) unsalted butter, or more if you want extra sauce
• 1 tablespoon finely minced garlic, or to taste
• 2 teaspoons fresh parsley, optional for garnishing

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Instructions

1. Prepare a large skillet by heating olive oil over medium-high temperature, then place chicken breasts in the pan and season thoroughly with 21 Salute, salt, and pepper.
2. Allow chicken to develop a golden crust without moving for 5-6 minutes, creating a rich caramelized exterior that locks in moisture and flavor.
3. Carefully flip the chicken, revealing a beautifully seared surface, and continue cooking for an additional 5 minutes until the meat is completely opaque and cooked through.
4. Transfer chicken to a separate plate, letting it rest and retain its juices while preparing the complementary sauce.
5. Deglaze the hot skillet by pouring chicken broth, which will help lift the flavorful browned bits from the pan’s surface and create a dynamic cooking liquid.
6. Introduce butter to the skillet, gently melting and swirling until it transforms into a silky, golden base for the sauce.
7. Add minced garlic to the butter, stirring continuously and allowing the aromatics to bloom and release their intense fragrance for approximately one minute.
8. Remove skillet from heat and return chicken to the pan, generously coating each piece with the rich garlic butter sauce.
9. For a final touch of freshness and color, sprinkle chopped parsley over the glazed chicken before serving.

Notes

• Versatile chicken dish bursting with rich, garlicky flavor that transforms a simple protein into a restaurant-worthy meal.
• Quick one-skillet technique ensures maximum taste with minimal cleanup, perfect for busy weeknight dinners or impressive date night cooking.
• Crispy golden sear locks in juices while creating delectable caramelized exterior, guaranteeing tender, succulent chicken every single time.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 2 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 36 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg