Garlic Butter Chicken (Easy 20-Minute Dinner) Recipe

Introduction

This Garlic Butter Chicken recipe is a quick and flavorful dinner option perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken breasts are seared to golden perfection, then finished in a rich garlic butter sauce. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s both simple and satisfying.

The image shows a close-up view of several golden-brown cooked chicken breasts in a pan with a slightly burnt bottom edge. The chicken pieces are sliced with a smooth texture inside, revealing moist white meat. The surface of the chicken is shiny with a shiny oil sauce mixed with herbs and small chopped onions, scattered with green parsley bits, adding a fresh contrast to the warm colors. The pan background is a metal silver color with cooked oil and herbs surrounding the chicken pieces, creating a rich and appetizing look. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 4 8-oz boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 tsp sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp dried rosemary
  • 1/2 tsp dried parsley
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup reduced sodium chicken broth
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Season both sides evenly with sea salt, black pepper, thyme, oregano, rosemary, and parsley.
  2. Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken breasts in a single layer and sear for 4 to 8 minutes per side, until golden brown and just cooked through. If the chicken browns too quickly, reduce the heat to medium. Transfer chicken to a plate and cover to keep warm.
  3. Step 3: Add the butter and chicken broth to the same pan. As the butter melts, use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan to deglaze and incorporate flavor.
  4. Step 4: Lower the heat to low. Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for about one minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
  5. Step 5: Return the chicken breasts to the pan. Turn them once or twice to coat evenly in the garlic butter sauce. Warm for an additional 1 to 2 minutes if needed.
  6. Step 6: Serve the garlic butter chicken with the pan juices spooned over the top for extra flavor.

Tips & Variations

  • For a richer sauce, add a splash of heavy cream after adding the garlic.
  • Swap dried herbs for fresh when available for a brighter flavor—add fresh herbs at the end to preserve aroma.
  • Use bone-in chicken breasts for more juicy flavor, but increase cooking time accordingly.
  • Pair this dish with mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth or water to keep the chicken moist.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes, boneless skinless chicken thighs work well and stay very juicy. Adjust cooking time slightly, cooking thighs longer until fully cooked through.

What if I don’t have all the dried herbs?

Use whatever you have on hand—the combination creates depth, but salt, pepper, and garlic alone still make a tasty sauce.

Print
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Garlic Butter Chicken (Easy 20-Minute Dinner) Recipe


  • Author: lilan
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Low Salt

Description

This Garlic Butter Chicken recipe is a quick and flavorful dinner option that can be prepared in just 20 minutes. Tender chicken breasts are seasoned and seared to golden perfection, then simmered in a rich garlic butter sauce with a touch of herbs and chicken broth. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish is both simple and delicious.


Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 4 8-oz Boneless skinless chicken breasts

Seasonings

  • 2 tsp Sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp Black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp Dried thyme
  • 1/2 tsp Dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp Dried rosemary
  • 1/2 tsp Dried parsley

Cooking Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp Olive oil
  • 3 tbsp Unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup Chicken broth, reduced sodium
  • 5 cloves Garlic, minced

Instructions

  1. Prepare Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture, then season both sides evenly with sea salt, black pepper, dried thyme, oregano, rosemary, and parsley.
  2. Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large stainless steel skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts in a single layer and sear for 4-8 minutes on each side until golden brown and just cooked through. Adjust heat to medium if the chicken starts to brown too quickly to prevent burning. Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a plate and cover to keep warm.
  3. Create Sauce Base: Reduce heat to medium, add the unsalted butter and chicken broth to the skillet. As the butter melts, use a wooden spoon to scrape and deglaze the bottom of the pan, lifting all the flavorful browned bits.
  4. Sauté Garlic: Lower the heat to low, add the minced garlic to the butter and broth mixture, and sauté for about 1 minute until the garlic becomes fragrant but not browned.
  5. Recombine Chicken with Sauce: Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, flipping once or twice to coat them evenly with the garlic butter sauce. Heat for 1-2 more minutes if necessary until the chicken is warmed through and well coated.
  6. Serve: Plate the chicken breasts and spoon the savory pan juices over the top for extra flavor and moisture. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Patting the chicken dry before seasoning helps achieve a better sear and prevents steaming.
  • If you prefer more sauce, you can double the butter and broth amounts.
  • Use fresh garlic for the best flavor; avoid pre-minced garlic in oil for this recipe.
  • To ensure chicken is fully cooked, use a meat thermometer; it should reach 165°F (74°C).
  • This recipe pairs well with steamed vegetables, rice, or mashed potatoes.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: garlic butter chicken, easy chicken recipe, quick dinner, stovetop chicken, herbed chicken, weeknight meal

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