Hey there, busy home cooks! Are you always on the hunt for delicious, no fuss dinner ideas that hit all all the right notes? We totally get it. Weeknights can be a whirlwind, and sometimes cooking a tasty meal feels like a marathon you just don’t have the energy for. But what if we told you there’s a simple, super flavorful dish that comes together in a flash and tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen? Well, get ready, because your new go to has arrived!
Today, we’re diving into a sensational Garlic Butter Chicken Breast Recipe Easy that’s going to become a staple in your meal rotation. Imagine tender, juicy chicken breasts swimming in a rich, aromatic garlic butter sauce. Sounds pretty good, right? This isn’t just another chicken recipe with garlic butter; it’s a ticket to a stress free, delicious meal that everyone at your table will rave about. Let’s get cooking!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Honestly, what’s not to love about a recipe that promises big flavor with minimal effort? This Quick Butter Garlic Chicken is truly a weeknight warrior. It’s perfect for those evenings when you’re short on time but still want something comforting and satisfying.
First off, it’s incredibly fast. We’re talking about a dish that can be on your plate in under 30 minutes, which is a huge win in our book. You won’t need any fancy equipment, just a good skillet and a few common ingredients. That makes it super budget conscious too, which is always a plus!
Then there’s the flavor. Oh, the flavor! The combination of savory chicken, fragrant garlic, and rich butter creates a sauce that you’ll want to spoon over everything. It’s a classic pairing for a reason, and this recipe absolutely nails it. It’s a chicken butter garlic recipe that truly delivers on taste.
Plus, it’s versatile. While we’re focusing on a skillet version, you can adapt it. This recipe is also super friendly for beginners. If you’re just starting your cooking journey, this is a fantastic dish to build your confidence. It’s hard to mess up, and the results are always impressive. It’s a truly easy Butter Chicken Breast Recipe Easy that tastes gourmet.
Ingredients
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to any great meal. For this incredible chicken breast with butter and garlic, you’ll find most of these items are probably already in your pantry or fridge. Simple, fresh ingredients are the key to unlocking those amazing flavors.
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded to an even thickness (about 4 average sized breasts)
- 1 to 2 teaspoons 21 Salute Seasoning or poultry seasoning
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
- 1/2 cup chicken broth, or as necessary
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, or more if you want extra sauce
- 1 tablespoon garlic, finely minced; or to taste
- 2 teaspoons fresh parsley, optional for garnishing
Step By Step Instructions
Alright, let’s get down to business! Follow these easy steps, and you’ll have a fantastic meal ready in no time. This is how you make truly delicious butter and garlic chicken that everyone will adore.
Step 1: Sear the Chicken to Golden Perfection
First things first, grab a large skillet and add your olive oil. Place it over medium high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, carefully add your pounded chicken breasts. Make sure they are seasoned evenly with the 21 Salute Seasoning (or poultry seasoning), kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
Let the chicken sear for a good 5 minutes without touching, moving, or disturbing it. This is key for getting that beautiful golden brown crust. If your chicken breasts are a bit thicker, give them an extra minute or two, say 6 to 7 minutes. After this initial sear, flip them over.
Step 2: Cook Through and Rest
Now, let the chicken cook on the second side for another 5 minutes, or until it’s completely done and cooked through. Again, resist the urge to move it around while it’s searing. This helps lock in those juices and flavors. You want that perfect exterior and a fully cooked interior.
Once done, carefully remove the cooked chicken from the skillet using a slotted spatula. Place it on a plate and let it rest. Resting is super important; it allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring your chicken breast with butter stays wonderfully tender and moist. Don’t skip this step!
Step 3: Craft That Delicious Garlic Butter Sauce
Now for the magic! With caution, deglaze your skillet. This means adding the chicken broth to the hot pan. It will bubble up and steam violently for a few seconds, releasing all those flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pan. This is where the sauce starts to get its incredible depth.
Next, add the unsalted butter to the skillet. Allow it to melt, which should take about 1 minute, stirring continuously to help it along. Once melted, toss in your finely minced garlic. Cook it until it’s fragrant, again about 1 minute, stirring constantly so it doesn’t burn. This creates the base for your rich garlic butter chicken recipes easy sauce.
Step 4: Combine and Serve
Turn off the heat. This is important to prevent the garlic from overcooking. Now, gently add the rested chicken back into the skillet. Flip it around a few times, making sure each piece gets coated generously in that glorious garlic butter sauce. Spoon extra sauce over the chicken for good measure.
If you’re feeling fancy, sprinkle some fresh parsley over the top for a pop of color and freshness. Then, serve your amazing butter and garlic chicken immediately! It’s truly one of the best dinner ideas for a quick and satisfying meal.
How To Store Leftovers
Got some of this delicious garlic butter chicken left over? Lucky you! Storing it properly means you can enjoy another fantastic meal later. Simply transfer any cooled leftovers to an airtight container. Make sure to include all that yummy garlic butter sauce too; you don’t want to waste a drop!
Pop the container into the refrigerator, and your chicken will stay fresh for up to 3 to 4 days. When you’re ready to reheat, you can gently warm it in a skillet on the stovetop over low to medium heat, or in the microwave. Adding a tiny splash of chicken broth or water can help keep the chicken moist during reheating.
Tips
Want to take your chicken breast with butter and garlic to the next level? Or maybe you’re looking for ways to customize it? Here are a few handy tips to make this already great recipe even better or to fit your specific needs.
Pounding the Chicken: Don’t skip this step! Pounding the chicken breasts to an even thickness ensures they cook evenly and quickly. This means no dry spots and perfectly tender meat every time. If you don’t have a meat mallet, a rolling pin or the bottom of a heavy pan works just as well. Just cover the chicken with plastic wrap first to keep things tidy.
Serving Suggestions: This garlic butter chicken pairs beautifully with so many sides. Think fluffy mashed potatoes, creamy polenta, or a simple side of steamed green beans. A fresh garden salad with a light vinaigrette is also a wonderful complement to cut through the richness of the sauce. Don’t forget some crusty bread for soaking up every last bit of that amazing garlic butter!
Spice It Up: If you love a little heat, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes when you add the garlic. It gives a subtle kick that really enhances the flavors. You could also experiment with other herbs like fresh thyme or rosemary for a different aromatic twist.
Make it a One Pot Meal: For those who love easy cleanup, you can add some quick cooking vegetables like spinach, cherry tomatoes, or sliced mushrooms to the skillet after you’ve deglazed it and before adding the butter and garlic. Cook them for a few minutes until tender crisp, then proceed with the sauce. This makes for a fantastic all in one dinner idea.
Oven Variation: While this recipe is for the stovetop, you can definitely make Garlic Butter Chicken Oven style. After searing the chicken on both sides in an oven safe skillet, you can transfer the skillet to a preheated oven (around 375°F or 190°C) to finish cooking through, then proceed with the sauce on the stovetop. This is a great option if you’re cooking a larger batch of chicken recipes garlic butter style.
Conclusion
There you have it! A truly easy, incredibly flavorful, and super quick Garlic Butter Chicken Breast Recipe Easy that’s perfect for any night of the week. We love sharing dinner ideas that simplify your life without sacrificing taste, and this one absolutely fits the bill. It’s comforting, satisfying, and uses simple ingredients to create something truly special.
Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or just starting out, this chicken butter garlic recipe is a winner. So go ahead, give it a try tonight! Your taste buds (and your family) will thank you. Happy cooking, and enjoy those wonderful flavors!
FAQ
Can I Use Chicken Thighs Instead of Breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs would work wonderfully in this butter and garlic chicken recipe. They tend to be more forgiving and stay moist even if slightly overcooked. Just be aware that cooking times might vary slightly, so make sure they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
What Can I Do If My Sauce is Too Thin?
If your garlic butter sauce seems a bit too thin, you have a couple of options. You can let it simmer for an extra minute or two over low heat to reduce it slightly. Alternatively, you could whisk in a tiny bit of cornstarch slurry (a half teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with a tablespoon of cold water) at the very end to thicken it up to your desired consistency.
Can I Prepare This Dish Ahead of Time?
While this Quick Butter Garlic Chicken is best enjoyed fresh, you can definitely do some prep work in advance. Pounding and seasoning the chicken breasts can be done a day ahead and stored in the fridge. You can also mince your garlic. This will cut down on your active cooking time even further, making it an even faster option for dinner ideas.
How To Bake Chicken With Butter And Garlic?
If you prefer to bake, you can adapt this recipe. After searing the chicken in an oven safe skillet as instructed in Step 1 and Step 2, remove the chicken. Then, make the garlic butter sauce in the skillet. Return the seared chicken to the skillet, coating it in the sauce. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. This method is great for Garlic Butter Chicken Oven style cooking.
Easy Garlic Butter Chicken Breast
This simple, flavorful, and quick garlic butter chicken breast recipe features tender chicken in a rich, aromatic sauce, perfect for a weeknight meal that everyone will enjoy.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- First, grab a large skillet and add your olive oil. Place it over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, carefully add your pounded chicken breasts. Make sure they are seasoned evenly with the 21 Salute Seasoning (or poultry seasoning), kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
- Let the chicken sear for a good 5 minutes without touching, moving, or disturbing it. This is key for getting that beautiful golden brown crust. If your chicken breasts are a bit thicker, give them an extra minute or two, say 6 to 7 minutes. After this initial sear, flip them over.
- Now, let the chicken cook on the second side for another 5 minutes, or until it’s completely done and cooked through. Resist the urge to move it around while it’s searing. Once done, carefully remove the cooked chicken from the skillet using a slotted spatula. Place it on a plate and let it rest.
- With caution, deglaze your skillet by adding the chicken broth to the hot pan. It will bubble up and steam violently for a few seconds, releasing all those flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Next, add the unsalted butter to the skillet. Allow it to melt, which should take about 1 minute, stirring continuously. Once melted, toss in your finely minced garlic. Cook it until it’s fragrant, again about 1 minute, stirring constantly so it doesn’t burn.
- Turn off the heat. Gently add the rested chicken back into the skillet. Flip it around a few times, making sure each piece gets coated generously in that glorious garlic butter sauce. Spoon extra sauce over the chicken.
- If you’re feeling fancy, sprinkle some fresh parsley over the top for a pop of color and freshness. Then, serve immediately.
Notes
Pounding the Chicken: Pounding the chicken breasts to an even thickness ensures they cook evenly and quickly. A rolling pin or the bottom of a heavy pan can be used if you don’t have a meat mallet; just cover the chicken with plastic wrap first to keep things tidy.
Serving Suggestions: This garlic butter chicken pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes, creamy polenta, steamed green beans, or a fresh garden salad. Crusty bread is wonderful for soaking up the sauce.
Spice It Up: For a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes when you add the garlic. Fresh thyme or rosemary can also be used for an aromatic twist.
One-Pot Meal: Add quick-cooking vegetables like spinach, cherry tomatoes, or sliced mushrooms to the skillet after deglazing and before adding butter and garlic. Cook until tender-crisp, then proceed with the sauce.
Oven Variation: After searing chicken in an oven-safe skillet, transfer to a preheated oven (375°F / 190°C) to finish cooking. Then, return to stovetop to make the sauce. This is great for a larger batch.
Storing Leftovers: Transfer cooled leftovers to an airtight container with all the sauce. Refrigerate for up to 3 to 4 days. Reheat gently in a skillet on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave, adding a splash of chicken broth or water to maintain moisture.
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