Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe

Craving a delicious and quick dinner that’s packed with flavor? This Garlic Butter Chicken recipe is the perfect solution! Juicy chicken breasts (or thighs) are pan-seared until golden, then smothered in a rich, buttery garlic sauce that’s perfect for drizzling over mashed potatoes, pasta, or rice. This dish comes together in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights while still feeling like a gourmet meal. Let’s dive into the full recipe, including tips, substitutions, and variations to customize it to your liking.

this Recipe

What Is Garlic Butter Chicken?

Garlic Butter Chicken is a simple yet indulgent dish where chicken is cooked to perfection and then bathed in a savory garlic butter sauce. The garlic-infused butter brings richness, while herbs like parsley or thyme add a burst of freshness. This dish can be made in one pan and pairs wonderfully with a variety of side dishes, making it a versatile meal that’s both elegant and easy.

Ingredients List for Garlic Butter Chicken

Before starting, gather all the necessary ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need for this Garlic Butter Chicken recipe:

For the Chicken:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika (optional, for added color and flavor)
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoon olive oil (for searing the chicken)

For the Garlic Butter Sauce:

• 4 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• ¼ cup chicken broth (optional for thinning the sauce)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (or white wine for extra flavor)
• ¼ cup heavy cream (optional for a creamy sauce)
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or a mix of dried thyme, oregano, and basil)
• Fresh parsley or thyme, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Substitutions and Variations

This recipe is flexible, and there are many ways to adapt it to suit your tastes:

• Chicken: You can swap chicken breasts for thighs if you prefer darker, juicier meat. You can also use chicken tenders for a quicker cooking option.
• Butter: For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with a dairy-free margarine or olive oil.
• Heavy Cream: Adding heavy cream creates a richer, creamy sauce. You can leave it out for a lighter version or substitute with half-and-half, coconut cream, or even Greek yogurt.
• Lemon Juice: For a brighter flavor, use freshly squeezed lemon juice. You can also substitute lemon with white wine for a slightly more complex sauce.
• Garlic: Feel free to adjust the amount of garlic depending on how strong you like the flavor. For a bolder garlic taste, use roasted garlic.

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Let’s go through how to make Garlic Butter Chicken step by step. This recipe is quick and easy, perfect for a busy weeknight or even a special dinner.

How to Cook Garlic Butter Chicken: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. This helps create a flavorful crust when the chicken is seared.
2. Sear the Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken breasts to the skillet. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side (depending on thickness) until golden brown and cooked through, with an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). Once the chicken is done, remove it from the skillet and set aside.
3. Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add the 4 tablespoons of butter. Let the butter melt, then add the minced garlic. Sauté for about 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until the garlic is fragrant but not browned.
4. Add Broth and Lemon Juice: Pour in the chicken broth (or white wine) and lemon juice, stirring to deglaze the pan and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom. Let the sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes to slightly reduce. If you want a creamy garlic butter sauce, stir in the heavy cream and let it simmer for another minute.
5. Return the Chicken to the Pan: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, spooning the garlic butter sauce over the top. Let the chicken simmer in the sauce for an additional 1-2 minutes, allowing it to soak up all the flavors.
6. Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat and garnish the chicken with fresh parsley or thyme. Serve hot, with extra garlic butter sauce drizzled over the chicken.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are a few common mistakes to watch out for when making Garlic Butter Chicken:

• Overcooking the Chicken: Chicken breasts can dry out if overcooked. Use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) to ensure they’re cooked but still juicy.
• Burning the Garlic: Garlic burns quickly, especially when sautéed in butter. Cook it on medium heat and stir constantly to avoid a bitter, burnt taste.
• Using Cold Chicken: Let the chicken sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before cooking. Cold chicken can cause the meat to cook unevenly.

Serving and Presentation Tips

Presentation can make a simple dish like Garlic Butter Chicken look restaurant-worthy. Here’s how you can serve and garnish this meal beautifully.

How to Serve Garlic Butter Chicken:

• With Mashed Potatoes: Serve the chicken over creamy mashed potatoes to soak up the delicious garlic butter sauce.
• With Pasta: Toss the garlic butter sauce with cooked pasta for an indulgent, garlic-flavored pasta dish alongside the chicken.
• With Rice: Serve the chicken over a bed of fluffy white rice or wild rice for a comforting and hearty meal.
• With Vegetables: Pair the chicken with sautéed spinach, steamed broccoli, or roasted carrots for a healthy, balanced meal.

Presentation Ideas for Garlic Butter Chicken:

• Drizzle extra sauce over the chicken just before serving for added flavor and shine.
• Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or thyme to add a pop of color and a fresh, herbal note.
• Serve the chicken on a wide platter, surrounded by roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes for a family-style presentation.

Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe Tips

To ensure your Garlic Butter Chicken turns out perfectly every time, here are a few extra tips:

• Double the Sauce: If you’re serving the chicken with pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes, you might want to double the sauce recipe so there’s plenty to drizzle over your sides.
• Deglaze for Flavor: Don’t skip the step of deglazing the pan with broth or lemon juice! This helps loosen all the flavorful bits stuck to the pan, which adds depth to the sauce.
• Use Fresh Garlic: Fresh garlic delivers the best flavor, so try to avoid using garlic powder for the sauce. If you love garlic, you can even add more than the recipe calls for!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I use bone-in chicken?
Yes! Bone-in chicken breasts or thighs will work great for this recipe, though they will need a longer cooking time. Cook the chicken until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).

How do I store leftovers?
Store any leftover garlic butter chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened too much.

Can I freeze garlic butter chicken?
Yes, this dish freezes well. Allow the chicken to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in a skillet or the oven.

Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes, you can make this dish dairy-free by using a vegan butter substitute or simply using olive oil in place of butter. The flavor will be slightly different, but it will still be delicious.

What can I add to the sauce for extra flavor?
For extra flavor, you can add a splash of white wine, a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat, or even a handful of fresh spinach to wilt into the sauce. Fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary also add great flavor!

Conclusion

This Garlic Butter Chicken recipe is the perfect go-to meal when you need something quick, easy, and full of flavor. Whether you serve it with mashed potatoes, pasta, or veggies, the rich garlic butter sauce elevates the simple chicken into something truly special. Try this recipe tonight and enjoy the delicious combination of savory garlic and buttery goodness that’s sure to become a family favorite!

Print