Description
Garlic Butter Chicken is a quick and easy dish featuring juicy, tender chicken simmered in a rich garlic-infused butter sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights or entertaining guests, it combines simplicity with irresistible flavor and pairs beautifully with a variety of sides.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
Sauce
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or thyme, chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Start by seasoning your chicken breasts or thighs generously with salt and pepper on both sides to enhance their natural flavor.
- Heat the Butter: Melt a generous amount of butter in a large skillet over medium heat, letting it shimmer before adding any ingredients.
- Cook the Chicken: Place the chicken in the skillet and cook until golden brown on each side and cooked through, usually about 5-7 minutes per side depending on thickness.
- Add Garlic: Once the chicken is almost done, add minced garlic to the pan and sauté it in the butter until fragrant and lightly toasted, about 1-2 minutes—do not let it burn.
- Finish with Herbs and Lemon: Stir in fresh herbs like parsley or thyme and squeeze fresh lemon juice over the chicken, then spoon the garlic butter sauce over the top for extra indulgence.
Notes
- Don’t rush the sear: Let the chicken develop a nice crust by cooking undisturbed for several minutes on each side.
- Use fresh garlic: Freshly minced garlic gives a much brighter and richer flavor than pre-minced or powdered varieties.
- Butter quantity matters: Using plenty of butter ensures the sauce is silky and coats the chicken beautifully.
- Rest the chicken: Let the chicken sit for a few minutes after cooking to reabsorb juices and stay tender.
- Adjust seasoning at the end: Taste the sauce and add salt or pepper as needed before serving.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg