Best Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe for Cozy Home Dinners

Succulent garlic butter chicken whispers comfort straight to your heart, promising a meal that feels like a warm embrace.

Melted butter mingles with aromatic herbs, creating a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate.

Sharp garlic notes punch through rich, tender meat, delivering an experience beyond ordinary dinner routines.

Home cooks adore this simple yet sophisticated dish that requires minimal effort but generates maximum satisfaction.

Each golden-brown bite promises a culinary adventure that transforms an average evening into something spectacular.

Crispy edges and juicy interior combine in perfect harmony, making this recipe a true kitchen champion.

How to Store Garlic Butter Chicken Without Losing Moisture

• Transfer leftover chicken and sauce to an airtight container, ensuring they cool completely before sealing. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Wrap individual portions in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty plastic bags. Freeze for maximum 2 months, keeping sauce and chicken together to maintain moisture.
• Gently warm chicken in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth to prevent drying. Stir occasionally and heat until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• Place chicken on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly.

What to Plate with Garlic Butter Chicken

• Pour a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to complement the rich, creamy garlic sauce and cut through the butter's richness.
• Create a colorful side of roasted asparagus, bell peppers, and zucchini to balance the chicken's decadent flavor profile and add nutritional variety.
• Prepare a creamy risotto infused with fresh herbs like thyme and parsley to echo the dish's garlic and herb notes while providing a luxurious textural contrast.
• Offer a rustic sourdough or french baguette to soak up the luscious garlic butter sauce, ensuring no delicious droplet goes to waste.

Swaps and Additions to Garlic Butter Chickens

• Low-Carb Keto Version: Replace chicken broth with bone broth and use ghee instead of butter. Serve with cauliflower rice or roasted low-carb vegetables for a ketogenic-friendly meal.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Swap butter and heavy cream with coconut oil and coconut milk. Use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese to maintain a creamy, rich flavor profile.
• Herb-Infused Variation: Experiment with fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or tarragon instead of Italian seasoning. Add lemon zest for a bright, citrusy undertone that complements the garlic butter sauce.
• Spicy Kick Option: Incorporate red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper into the seasoning. Add diced jalapeños to the garlic butter sauce for an extra spicy version that brings heat to the classic recipe.

Garlic Butter Chicken That’s Rich and Juicy

• Transforms simple chicken into a gourmet meal in under 20 minutes.
• Requires just a few pantry staples like butter, garlic, and cream to create an incredibly rich sauce.
• Minimizes kitchen cleanup by cooking everything in a single pan, reducing dishes and saving precious time after meal preparation.
• Adapts perfectly to various side dishes like rice, pasta, or roasted vegetables, making it an ideal option for family dinners or casual entertaining.

Everything You’ll Need to Make Garlic Butter Chicken

• Chicken Breasts: Tender meat that absorbs the rich garlic butter sauce, best when fresh and evenly thick for consistent cooking.

• Olive Oil, Butter: Create golden crust and provide rich, smooth flavor base for the chicken and sauce, unsalted butter recommended for better salt control.

• Garlic: Provides intense, warm flavor that complements the chicken, fresh minced garlic offers best taste.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for enhancing overall dish flavor, freshly ground pepper adds more depth.
• Italian Seasoning: Adds herbal complexity to the sauce, a blend of dried herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme.

• Chicken Broth, White Wine: Creates liquid base for sauce, adds depth and helps deglaze the pan, white wine offers more complexity.
• Heavy Cream: Provides creamy, luxurious texture to the sauce, full-fat version recommended for richness.
• Parmesan Cheese: Optional ingredient that adds salty, nutty flavor and helps thicken the sauce, freshly grated preferred.

• Fresh Parsley: Adds fresh, bright color and light herbal note to finish the dish, chopped just before serving.

Cooking Instructions for Pan-Seared Garlic Butter Chicken

Step 1: Prepare Tender Chicken

Grab fresh chicken breasts and give them a quick pat down with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Season both sides with a generous sprinkle of salt and pepper, creating a delicious flavor foundation.

Step 2: Sear to Golden Perfection

Warm up a large skillet with olive oil and butter over medium heat. Gently place the seasoned chicken into the pan, letting it dance and sizzle. Cook each side until it turns a beautiful golden brown, ensuring it’s fully cooked through. Once done, transfer the chicken to a waiting plate.

Step 3: Create Magical Garlic Butter Sauce

• Chicken broth
• White wine (optional)

Scrape up those delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pan, creating a flavor-packed base.

Step 4: Develop Creamy Sauce Goodness

Introduce heavy cream and Italian seasoning to the skillet. If you’re feeling indulgent, sprinkle in some Parmesan cheese. Stir until the sauce becomes smooth and velvety. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

Step 5: Reunite Chicken with Sauce

Carefully return the golden chicken to the skillet. Lovingly spoon the luxurious sauce over the top, letting the flavors mingle and dance together for a few minutes.

Step 6: Serve in Style

Sprinkle some fresh chopped parsley on top for a pop of color and freshness. Slide the chicken onto plates alongside your favorite sides. Get ready for a mouthwatering meal that’ll have everyone asking for seconds!

Tips to Balance Garlic and Butter in This Chicken Dish

• Ensure Chicken Dryness: Pat chicken breasts thoroughly with paper towels to remove excess moisture, guaranteeing a perfect golden-brown sear and crispy exterior.
• Control Heat Precisely: Use medium heat when cooking chicken to prevent burning and achieve an evenly cooked, juicy result without drying out the meat.
• Master Garlic Technique: Add minced garlic at the right moment and stir constantly to release its aromatic flavors without burning, which can create a bitter taste.
• Choose Flexible Liquid Base: Substitute chicken broth with white wine for added depth or use chicken stock for a more neutral flavor profile in the sauce.
• Customize Sauce Consistency: Adjust sauce thickness by simmering longer to reduce liquid or adding extra cream if you prefer a richer, more velvety texture.

Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe

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4.7 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent garlic butter chicken promises a luxurious dinner experience that melts in your mouth with rich, herbaceous flavors. Mediterranean-inspired ingredients blend seamlessly, delivering a sensational meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Protein:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)

Cooking Fats and Seasonings:

• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
• 4 tablespoons (56 g) unsalted butter, divided
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Liquid and Flavor Enhancers:

• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ cup (120 ml) chicken broth or white wine
• ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
• ¼ cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Garnish:

• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly blot chicken breasts with paper towels, ensuring surface is moisture-free. Generously season both surfaces with salt and pepper, creating a robust flavor foundation.
2. Activate a large skillet over medium heat, incorporating olive oil and butter. Allow fats to harmonize and heat uniformly.
3. Carefully place seasoned chicken into the heated skillet, allowing each side to transform into a golden-brown masterpiece. Cook approximately 4-5 minutes per side, monitoring thickness and internal temperature for perfect doneness. Delicately transfer chicken to a waiting plate.
4. Reduce skillet heat, introducing remaining butter. Introduce minced garlic, stirring continuously until aromatic and translucent, releasing its intense flavor profile.
5. Deglaze the skillet by pouring chicken broth, gently scraping accumulated caramelized fragments from bottom. Allow liquid to simmer and reduce, concentrating flavor complexity.
6. Incorporate heavy cream and Italian seasoning, creating a luxurious sauce. If desired, fold in Parmesan cheese until smoothly integrated. Adjust seasoning to taste.
7. Reintroduce cooked chicken into the silky sauce, allowing each piece to bathe and absorb surrounding flavors for 2-3 minutes.
8. Finish by garnishing with freshly chopped parsley. Serve immediately alongside complementary side dishes, presenting a visually appealing and aromatic meal.

Notes

• Achieve crispy skin by thoroughly drying chicken before seasoning, removing excess moisture ensures better browning and flavor development.
• Customize protein options by substituting chicken with turkey, pork tenderloin, or fish fillets without changing core cooking technique.
• Control sauce thickness by simmering longer for a more concentrated flavor or adding extra broth if too thick, allowing flexibility in texture.
• Enhance dish’s nutritional profile by using Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream for a lighter, protein-rich alternative that maintains creamy consistency.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 540
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 42 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 4 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 40 g
• Cholesterol: 160 mg