Garlic Butter Chicken

As the chicken sizzles away in the pan, the smell of garlic and butter fills the air, instantly making your kitchen feel warm and inviting. There’s something about this combination that just feels like a hug in a dish—rich, comforting, and full of flavor. The garlic butter gently seeps into every crevice of the chicken, creating a crispy, golden crust on the outside while keeping the meat tender and juicy on the inside. The secret to this dish is in that luscious butter sauce, flavored with just the right amount of garlic and a hint of fresh herbs.

Every bite brings a burst of savory goodness, and if you’re anything like me, you’ll want to savor every last drop of that buttery sauce. It’s perfect over a bed of rice, or even paired with roasted vegetables, soaking up all that deliciousness. I’ve had many family members ask for this dish again and again, and it’s become a go-to recipe for busy weeknights and weekend gatherings alike. The beauty of it lies in how simple yet indulgent it feels—effortless to prepare, yet luxurious when served. And you know what’s even better? The leftovers. This garlic butter chicken tastes just as amazing the next day, making it a dish that keeps on giving.

Key Ingredients in Garlic Butter Chicken

The beauty of garlic butter chicken lies in its simplicity, and each ingredient plays a vital role in bringing out the rich flavors. From the juicy chicken breasts to the aromatic garlic butter sauce, these ingredients come together in perfect harmony to create a dish that’s as satisfying as it is easy to make.

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: The star of the dish! These chicken breasts provide a tender and juicy base that soaks up the flavors of the garlic butter. Their mild flavor allows the seasoning to really shine.
• Olive oil: Used for searing the chicken, olive oil ensures a beautifully crispy exterior without overpowering the other flavors. Its subtle fruity notes add depth to the dish.
• Garlic, minced: Garlic is the heart of the butter sauce. When sautéed, it becomes aromatic and adds a savory depth that pairs perfectly with the richness of the butter.
• Unsalted butter: This is where the magic happens. Unsalted butter creates a rich, velvety sauce that brings everything together. Its creamy texture envelops the chicken and provides the indulgent taste you’ll crave with every bite.
• Dried thyme: This herb adds an earthy, slightly floral flavor to the dish, balancing out the richness of the butter and elevating the savory profile.
• Dried parsley: Parsley offers a light, fresh note to the dish, which helps to balance the buttery richness. It also brings a pop of color that’s pleasing to the eye.
• Salt: A key seasoning that brings out the full flavor of the chicken and the sauce. Just the right amount of salt ensures everything tastes perfectly seasoned.
• Black pepper: Black pepper adds a hint of heat and subtle spice, enhancing the other ingredients without overwhelming them.
• Lemon juice: A splash of lemon juice adds a refreshing zing that cuts through the richness of the butter, brightening up the dish and bringing a touch of freshness to every bite.
• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional): This is optional, but it’s a great way to add a burst of color and fresh flavor to finish the dish. It also makes it look even more inviting when served.

Each ingredient in this recipe works together to create a flavorful and comforting dish that’s sure to please everyone around the table!

How to Make Garlic Butter Chicken

Serving Suggestions for Garlic Butter Chicken

• Over a Bed of Rice

  This dish is a dream when served over a fluffy mound of white or brown rice. The rice soaks up all that delicious garlic butter sauce, making each bite just as satisfying as the last. Plus, the mild flavor…

• With Roasted Vegetables

  Pairing your garlic butter chicken with roasted vegetables is a match made in heaven. Think roasted potatoes, carrots, or asparagus. The crispy edges of the veggies and their natural sweetness beautifully complement the savory chicken, and the garlic butter sauce ties everything together.

• On a Fresh Salad

  For a lighter option, serve your garlic butter chicken on top of a fresh, crisp salad. The warm, juicy chicken adds a comforting element to the crunchy greens, and a squeeze of lemon juice will tie it all together. It’s the perfect way to enjoy this dish while keeping it refreshing!

Each of these options takes the flavors of the garlic butter chicken to the next level and will have everyone asking for seconds!

How to Store Garlic Butter Chicken

If you happen to have leftovers (and trust me, you’ll want to), storing garlic butter chicken is a breeze, and it keeps its deliciousness for a few days. After the dish has cooled to room temperature, place the chicken in an airtight container. This will help lock in moisture and preserve the flavors. Be sure to pour any leftover garlic butter sauce over the chicken before sealing the container—this will keep it from drying out and will let the chicken continue soaking up all that savory goodness.

If you’re planning to eat it within a couple of days, just pop the container in the fridge. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, gently reheat it in a skillet over low heat, adding a little extra butter or a splash of water if the sauce has thickened up too much. The chicken should remain tender and juicy with that irresistible garlic butter sauce.

For longer storage, garlic butter chicken can also be frozen. Place the chicken in a freezer-safe container, again making sure to include the sauce. It will stay fresh for up to three months in the freezer. When you’re ready to eat it, let it thaw in the fridge overnight and then reheat gently, either in the skillet or in the microwave. The flavors will be just as amazing as when you first made it!

Conclusion

And there you have it—garlic butter chicken, a dish that’s as simple as it is satisfying. With its golden, crispy chicken soaked in a luscious garlic butter sauce, every bite is a reminder of how easy it is to turn basic ingredients into something magical. Whether you’re making it for a busy weeknight dinner or a weekend family gathering, this recipe is sure to become a favorite. And trust me, those leftovers? They’re just as irresistible!

I hope this recipe brings the same joy to your kitchen as it has in mine. I’d love to hear your thoughts—did you give it a try? How did it turn out? If you have any questions or need a little extra help with the steps, don’t hesitate to reach out. And of course, if you have any feedback or tweaks of your own to share, I’m all ears. Let’s keep the conversation going, and happy cooking!

Print Recipe

Garlic Butter Chicken

Author: Lily Anderson Courses: Dinner

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 20 mins Total Time 30 mins

Calories: 380

Description

Garlic Butter Chicken is a mouthwatering dish where juicy, tender chicken breasts are bathed in a rich, aromatic garlic butter sauce. The creamy, savory flavors are perfectly balanced with a hint of fresh herbs, making every bite irresistibly delicious.

Ingredients

Scale

1/2x 1x 2x 3x

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• ¹⁄₂ cup unsalted butter

• 1 teaspoon dried thyme

• 1 teaspoon dried parsley

• 1 teaspoon salt

• ¹⁄₂ teaspoon black pepper

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil.
2. While the skillet heats, season the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper on both sides.
3. Once the skillet is hot, place the chicken breasts in the pan and cook for about 6-7 minutes on each side until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F.
4. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate to rest.
5. In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add the minced garlic.
6. Sauté the garlic for about 30 seconds, stirring frequently, until fragrant and lightly golden.
7. Add the unsalted butter to the skillet and stir until melted and bubbly.
8. Sprinkle in the dried thyme and dried parsley, stirring them into the butter mixture.
9. Add the lemon juice to the skillet and stir to combine.
10. Return the chicken breasts to the skillet and spoon some of the garlic butter sauce over the top.
11. Let the chicken simmer in the sauce for about 2 minutes to reheat and absorb the flavors.
12. Remove the chicken from the skillet again and place it on serving plates.
13. Spoon the garlic butter sauce over the chicken, ensuring it’s evenly coated.
14. Optional: Garnish the dish with freshly chopped parsley for added color and flavor.
15. Serve immediately and enjoy your garlic butter chicken.

Note

• Make sure to properly season the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper on both sides before cooking.
• Cook the chicken breasts for about 6-7 minutes on each side, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F for safety.
• While sautéing the garlic, be careful not to burn it as it can become bitter in taste.
• Letting the chicken simmer in the garlic butter sauce for a couple of minutes helps to enhance the flavors and ensure even coating.
• The fresh parsley garnish adds both color and flavor to the dish.

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