Sizzling Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe: Irresistibly Juicy & Flavorful

Succulent garlic butter chicken promises a mouthwatering journey through rich, comforting flavors that dance across your plate.

Tender meat glistening with golden, herb-infused sauce that whispers promises of culinary delight.

Restaurant-quality meals emerge from your own kitchen with surprising ease and minimal effort.

Simple ingredients collaborate to create something magical and deeply satisfying.

This recipe transforms ordinary weeknight dinners into memorable moments of pure deliciousness.

Minimal prep work means maximum enjoyment, letting you spend less time cooking and more time savoring.

Come discover how effortlessly you can craft a dish that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Why Garlic Butter Chicken Is So Good

• Savor Speedy Flavor Explosion: This garlic butter chicken delivers maximum taste with minimal cooking time, letting you whip up a restaurant-quality meal in under 20 minutes.
• Embrace Creamy Comfort: The rich, velvety sauce coats each chicken piece with a luxurious blend of butter, cream, and garlic, creating a mouthwatering experience that feels both indulgent and homey.
• Master One-Pan Magic: Using a single skillet means fewer dishes, easier cleanup, and a streamlined cooking process that transforms simple ingredients into a gourmet dinner perfect for busy weeknights or impressing dinner guests.

What You’ll Need for Garlic Butter Chicken

• Chicken Breasts: Lean meat that becomes tender and flavorful when cooked; choose fresh, high-quality boneless and skinless cuts for best results.

• Olive Oil, Butter: Provide rich flavor and help create golden-brown exterior; use unsalted butter for better control of salt content.

• Garlic, Salt, Pepper, Italian Seasoning: Add depth and complexity to the dish; fresh garlic gives more intense flavor compared to pre-minced versions.

• Chicken Broth, Heavy Cream: Create a luxurious sauce base; can substitute white wine for broth for additional flavor complexity.

• Parmesan Cheese: Adds creamy, salty dimension to the sauce; freshly grated offers better melting and taste.

• Parsley: Provides fresh, bright finish to the dish; chopped just before serving maintains vibrant color and flavor.

How to Cook Garlic Butter Chicken Step-by-Step

Step 1: Prepare Chicken for Cooking

Grab your chicken breasts and give them a gentle pat with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Sprinkle salt and pepper all over both sides, creating a flavorful coating that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Step 2: Create Golden Perfection

Heat up a large skillet with olive oil and a generous pat of butter. Lay the seasoned chicken breasts into the sizzling pan. Watch them transform into a gorgeous golden brown, cooking for about 4-5 minutes on each side. You’ll know they’re ready when they’re beautifully caramelized and cooked through. Carefully transfer the chicken to a nearby plate and let it rest.

Step 3: Craft Magical Garlic Butter Sauce

In the same skillet (all those delicious brown bits are flavor gold!), melt another chunk of butter. Toss in freshly minced garlic and let it become fragrant and slightly golden. Pour in chicken broth or white wine, using a spatula to scrape up all those tasty browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan. Let the liquid simmer and reduce slightly.

Step 4: Elevate the Sauce

Introduce creamy goodness by stirring in heavy cream and a sprinkle of Italian seasoning. If you’re feeling extra indulgent, whisk in some Parmesan cheese until the sauce becomes silky smooth. Taste and adjust the seasoning with a pinch of salt and pepper.

Step 5: Reunite Chicken and Sauce

Gently return the cooked chicken to the skillet, lovingly coating each piece with the luxurious garlic butter sauce. Let everything simmer together for a few minutes, allowing the flavors to mingle and get to know each other.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Sprinkle some freshly chopped parsley on top for a pop of color and freshness. Plate up with your favorite side dishes – maybe some roasted vegetables or creamy mashed potatoes. Get ready for a meal that’ll make everyone at the table swoon!

Smart Tips for Juicy Garlic Butter Chicken

• Dry Chicken Perfectly: Use paper towels to remove excess moisture, ensuring a crispy, golden-brown exterior when searing chicken breasts.
• Control Cooking Heat: Maintain medium heat to prevent burning while achieving a beautiful golden crust and keeping the chicken juicy inside.
• Maximize Flavor Extraction: Deglaze the skillet with broth or wine to capture delicious browned bits, adding depth to your garlic butter sauce.
• Prevent Sauce Separation: Stir cream slowly and avoid high heat to keep the sauce smooth and prevent curdling.
• Customize for Dietary Needs: Swap heavy cream with coconut milk for a dairy-free version, or use gluten-free chicken broth for a celiac-friendly meal.

How to Save Garlic Butter Chicken for Later

• Refrigerate: Store leftover chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Cooling: Let the chicken cool completely before sealing to prevent condensation and soggy texture.
• Shelf Life: Keep refrigerated chicken for 3-4 days maximum, ensuring safe and delicious consumption.
• Reheating: Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture and prevent drying out, stirring occasionally until heated through.

What Goes Well with Garlic Butter Chicken

• Elevate Wine Selection: Pair this garlic butter chicken with a crisp, medium-bodied white wine like Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio. These wines complement the rich, creamy sauce and cut through the buttery flavors, creating a balanced dining experience.
• Boost Vegetable Companions: Roasted asparagus or sautéed green beans work perfectly alongside this dish. Their fresh, slightly crisp texture provides a delightful contrast to the creamy chicken and adds nutritional balance to the meal.
• Create Carb Harmony: Serve with garlic mashed potatoes or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce. The starchy sides will absorb the flavorful garlic butter, making every bite more indulgent and satisfying.
• Spark Fresh Finishing Touch: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or add a small side salad with a light vinaigrette. The bright, zesty elements will refresh the palate and cut through the richness of the creamy chicken.

Garlic Butter Chicken Flavor Swaps

• Spicy Southwestern Spin: Replace Italian seasoning with taco seasoning, add diced green chiles, and finish with a sprinkle of Mexican cheese blend for a zesty southwestern flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Herbed Version: Swap butter for olive oil, incorporate fresh rosemary and thyme, add crumbled feta cheese, and squeeze fresh lemon juice over the chicken for a bright Mediterranean touch.
• Creamy Mushroom Infusion: Sauté sliced mushrooms with the garlic before adding broth, use a mix of cremini and shiitake mushrooms to enhance the sauce's depth and earthy richness.
• Herb-Crusted Garlic Chicken: Coat chicken in a mixture of panko breadcrumbs and dried herbs before cooking, creating a crispy exterior that complements the rich garlic butter sauce.

Garlic Butter Chicken Questions Answered

• What makes this garlic butter chicken special?

This recipe transforms simple chicken breasts into a restaurant-quality dish with a rich, creamy garlic butter sauce that’s packed with incredible flavor. The combination of browned chicken, fragrant garlic, and a smooth cream sauce creates a luxurious meal that’s surprisingly easy to make.

• Can I use a different type of chicken?

Absolutely! While the recipe works best with boneless, skinless chicken breasts, you can also use chicken thighs. Just adjust cooking time accordingly – thighs might take a few minutes longer to cook through due to their thickness.

• Is this dish spicy?

No, this garlic butter chicken is not spicy. It’s a mild, creamy dish with rich garlic and herb flavors. If you want a bit of heat, you could add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce or some black pepper when seasoning the chicken.

• Do I need any special cooking skills to make this?

Not at all! This recipe is perfect for home cooks of all levels. The steps are straightforward, and the technique of browning chicken and making a quick pan sauce is easy to master. Just pay attention to cooking the chicken until it’s golden and checking for doneness.

Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 16 reviews

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

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Mouthwatering Garlic Butter Chicken delivers restaurant-quality flavor straight to home kitchens, promising succulent meat draped in rich, aromatic sauce. Quick preparation and simple ingredients ensure this delightful dish becomes a go-to meal you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)

Dairy and Fats:

• 4 tablespoons (56 g) unsalted butter, divided
• ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
• ¼ cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Seasonings and Liquids:

• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ cup (120 ml) chicken broth or white wine
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Cleanse the chicken breasts thoroughly with paper towels, ensuring complete dryness. Generously apply seasoning across both surfaces using salt and pepper.
2. Activate a large skillet over medium thermal intensity. Introduce olive oil and butter, allowing them to merge and heat. Carefully position the seasoned chicken into the skillet, developing a golden exterior. Cook each side methodically, transforming the protein to a perfect doneness. Transfer the cooked chicken to a temporary holding plate.
3. Utilize the identical skillet for creating a luxurious sauce. Melt remaining butter, introducing finely chopped garlic. Stir continuously, releasing aromatic essences. Deglaze the pan with chicken broth, capturing embedded flavor molecules from previous cooking.
4. Gradually incorporate heavy cream and Italian seasoning, whisking until a harmonious consistency emerges. Integrate Parmesan cheese, stirring until completely dissolved and creating a silky texture. Calibrate flavor profile with additional salt and pepper as needed.
5. Gently reintroduce chicken into the simmering sauce, ensuring complete coverage. Allow ingredients to intertwine and develop complementary flavors for several moments.
6. Present the dish adorned with freshly chopped parsley. Accompany with complementary side dishes that enhance the chicken’s rich, creamy profile.

Notes

• Choose chicken breasts of equal thickness to ensure even cooking and prevent dry or undercooked spots.
• Pat chicken completely dry before seasoning to achieve a beautiful golden-brown sear that locks in moisture.
• Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature reaches 165°F for safe, perfectly cooked chicken without guesswork.
• Swap heavy cream with Greek yogurt or coconut milk for lighter, dairy-free alternatives that maintain creamy texture.
• Customize the dish by adding fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary to enhance the garlic butter sauce’s depth of flavor.
• Quickly reduce cooking time by slicing chicken breasts horizontally into thinner cutlets before seasoning and searing.
• Store leftover sauce separately from chicken to prevent soggy meat and maintain crisp exterior when reheating.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 590
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 43 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 5 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 47 g
• Cholesterol: 180 mg