Garlic Butter Chicken (Easy 20-Minute Dinner) Recipe
This Garlic Butter Chicken recipe is a quick and flavorful 20-minute dinner featuring juicy boneless skinless chicken breasts seared to golden perfection and smothered in a rich garlic butter sauce infused with herbs and chicken broth. It’s an easy stovetop dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights yet impressive enough for guests.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasonings
- 4 8-oz Boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tsp Sea salt
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper
- 1/2 tsp Dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp Dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp Dried rosemary
- 1/2 tsp Dried parsley
Cooking Liquids and Fats
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- 3 tbsp Unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup Chicken broth, reduced sodium
Other
- 5 cloves Garlic, minced
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry using paper towels to ensure a good sear. Season both sides evenly with sea salt, black pepper, and dried herbs including thyme, oregano, rosemary, and parsley to build a fragrant flavor base.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large stainless steel skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken breasts in a single layer and cook for 4-8 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked just through, adjusting heat down to medium if the chicken starts browning too quickly. Once done, transfer the chicken to a plate and cover to keep warm.
- Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: Add the unsalted butter and chicken broth to the skillet. As the butter melts, use a wooden spoon to scrape the pan bottom and deglaze, loosening all the caramelized bits for extra flavor.
- Sauté Garlic: Lower the heat to low and add minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for about 1 minute until the garlic becomes fragrant but not browned, infusing the sauce with rich aroma.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the chicken breasts to the pan, flipping them once or twice so they coat evenly in the garlic butter sauce. Warm for another 1-2 minutes if needed to heat through fully.
- Serve: Plate the garlic butter chicken and spoon the flavorful pan juices over the top to finish. Serve immediately for best taste.
Notes
- Patting the chicken dry is essential for achieving a golden crust when searing.
- Use a stainless steel or heavy skillet for optimal browning and flavor development.
- Adjust herb quantities to your taste preferences or fresh herbs if available.
- Chicken broth adds moisture and depth but be sure to use reduced sodium to control salt levels.
- Serve garlic butter chicken with rice, mashed potatoes, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
