Description
Garlic Butter Chicken is the perfect easy dinner recipe for busy weeknights when you want something rich, comforting, and full of flavor without spending hours in the kitchen. Juicy pan-seared chicken breasts are coated in a buttery garlic sauce that tastes restaurant-quality while using simple everyday ingredients. This quick chicken dinner pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables, making it one of the best family-friendly dinner ideas for any occasion. This easy recipe combines tender chicken, fresh garlic, butter, herbs, and savory seasonings into a delicious one-pan meal that’s satisfying and incredibly simple to prepare. Whether you need quick dinner ideas, comfort food recipes, or easy chicken recipes for meal prep, Garlic Butter Chicken delivers flavor in every bite.
Ingredients
2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
1. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt, black pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning.
2. Heat olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot.
3. Add the chicken breasts to the skillet and sear for 5 to 6 minutes on each side until golden brown and nearly cooked through.
4. Lower the heat slightly and add the minced garlic to the skillet. Stir continuously for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Pour in the chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the skillet to release the browned bits for extra flavor.
6. Add the remaining butter and stir until fully melted into the sauce.
7. Stir in the lemon juice and allow the sauce to simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes.
8. Return the chicken fully into the sauce and spoon the garlic butter mixture over the top repeatedly while simmering.
9. Continue cooking until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
10. Sprinkle fresh parsley and optional Parmesan cheese over the chicken before serving.
11. Serve hot with mashed potatoes, pasta, rice, or roasted vegetables.
Notes
Use evenly sized chicken breasts to ensure even cooking and juicy results.
Do not burn the garlic because it can turn bitter very quickly once added to the skillet.
Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes before slicing to help retain its juices.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 145mg
Keywords: garlic butter chicken, easy chicken recipe, quick dinner, chicken dinner ideas, one pan chicken recipe, garlic chicken skillet, buttery chicken recipe