This garlic butter chicken is tender, juicy, and coated in the most incredible buttery garlic sauce. Golden-seared chicken breasts get finished in a pan with melted butter, fragrant Garlic Butter Chicken, and aromatic herbs that make your whole kitchen smell like a cozy bistro. I started making this on hectic weeknights when I needed something fast but didn't want to sacrifice flavor, and now it's one of those recipes I turn to again and again. It takes just 20 minutes from start to finish, uses simple ingredients you probably already have, and tastes like something you'd order at a restaurant.
If you love quick, flavorful dinners like Honey Garlic Shrimp or Chinese Beef and Broccoli, this one deserves a spot in your rotation. Pair it with something light like Egg Roll in a Bowl and you've got a meal everyone will ask for on repeat.
Why You'll Love This Garlic Butter Chicken
This chicken is fast, foolproof, and absolutely delicious. You only need one skillet, a handful of pantry staples, and less than half an hour. The chicken stays juicy and tender, the sauce is buttery and garlicky without being overwhelming, and the whole dish feels elevated even though it's incredibly simple. It's perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or anytime you want something comforting that doesn't take forever. Plus, it's naturally low-carb and keto-friendly, so it works for a lot of different eating styles.
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Ingredients Garlic Butter Chicken
Here's everything you need to make this simple, flavorful garlic butter chicken.
See Recipe Card Below This Post For Ingredient Quantities
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: The base of the dish. Look for breasts that are similar in size so they cook evenly.
- Sea salt: Seasons the chicken and brings out all the flavors in the sauce.
- Black pepper: Adds a little warmth and depth.
- Dried thyme: Brings an earthy, slightly floral note that pairs beautifully with garlic.
- Dried oregano: Adds a hint of brightness and complements the other herbs.
- Dried rosemary: Gives a woodsy, aromatic flavor that makes the chicken taste special.
- Dried parsley: Adds a touch of freshness and balances the richer flavors.
- Olive oil: Used to sear the chicken and create a golden crust.
- Unsalted butter: The star of the sauce. It melts into the broth and coats the chicken with rich, silky flavor.
- Chicken broth, reduced sodium: Helps deglaze the pan and creates the base of the buttery sauce.
- Garlic (minced): Fresh Garlic Butter Chicken is key here. It gets fragrant and mellow when sautéed, and it's what makes this dish so irresistible.
How to Make Garlic Butter Chicken
This simple recipe comes together in just a few easy steps.
- Season the chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels so they sear properly. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, thyme, oregano, rosemary, and parsley, pressing the herbs gently into the meat.
- Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large stainless steel skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil shimmers, add the chicken in a single layer without crowding the pan. Sear for 4 to 8 minutes per side until golden brown and just barely cooked through. If the chicken starts to brown too quickly, reduce the heat to medium. Transfer the chicken to a plate and cover loosely with foil to keep it warm.
- Make the sauce: Add the butter and chicken broth to the same skillet. As the butter melts, use a wooden spoon to scrape up all the browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan. This is where all the flavor lives.
- Add the garlic: Reduce the heat to low and add the minced Garlic Butter Chicken. Sauté for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until the garlic is fragrant and just starting to turn golden. Be careful not to burn it.
- Finish the chicken: Return the chicken breasts to the skillet and flip them once or twice to coat them in the buttery garlic sauce. If the chicken has cooled down, let it warm through for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Serve: Transfer the chicken to plates and spoon the pan juices generously over the top. Serve immediately while everything is hot and fragrant.
Substitutions and Swaps
This recipe is flexible and works well with a few simple adjustments.
Chicken: Use boneless skinless chicken thighs if you prefer. They're a bit more forgiving and stay extra juicy. Adjust the cook time slightly since thighs can take a minute or two longer.
Herbs: Fresh herbs work beautifully if you have them. Use about three times the amount of fresh as dried, and add them at the end so they stay vibrant.
Butter: You can use salted butter, just reduce the added salt slightly to avoid over-seasoning.
Broth: White wine works in place of chicken broth for a slightly more sophisticated flavor. You can also use vegetable broth.
Garlic: If you love Garlic Butter Chicken, feel free to add an extra clove or two. If you're more sensitive to it, start with three cloves and taste as you go.
EQUIPMENT
Here's the simple equipment that makes this recipe easy to pull off.
Large skillet (preferably stainless steel): A stainless or cast iron skillet works best for getting a nice golden crust on the chicken and building flavor in the pan.
Wooden spoon: Perfect for scraping up the browned bits when you deglaze the pan.
Paper towels: Helps dry the chicken so it sears properly instead of steaming.
How to Store and Reheat
This garlic butter chicken keeps well and reheats nicely for meal prep or leftovers.
Refrigerator: Let the chicken cool completely, then store it in an airtight container with the pan sauce. It will keep for up to 3 to 4 days in the fridge.
Freezer: You can freeze the cooked chicken for up to 2 months. Let it cool, then wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag or container.
Reheating: Warm the chicken gently in a skillet over low heat with a splash of chicken broth or water to keep it from drying out. You can also microwave it, but the stovetop method keeps the texture better.
What to Serve with Garlic Butter Chicken
This chicken is so versatile and pairs beautifully with just about any side.
Serve it over creamy mashed potatoes or buttery egg noodles to soak up all that delicious sauce. Roasted vegetables like asparagus, green beans, or broccoli add color and balance. A simple side salad with a light vinaigrette keeps things fresh. If you want something heartier, try it with rice pilaf or Garlic Butter Chicken bread for dipping.
Expert Tips
Here are a few simple tricks to make sure your garlic butter chicken turns out juicy and flavorful every time.
Dry the chicken well: Patting the chicken dry helps it sear instead of steam, which gives you that beautiful golden crust.
Don't overcook it: Chicken breasts can dry out quickly, so pull them off the heat when they're just barely cooked through. They'll finish cooking as they rest.
Use a stainless skillet if you can: Stainless steel builds up those flavorful browned bits better than nonstick, and that's what makes the sauce so good.
Watch the garlic: Garlic burns fast, so keep the heat low once you add it and stir constantly. Burned Garlic Butter Chicken tastes bitter and will throw off the whole dish.
Pound the chicken if needed: If your chicken breasts are thick and uneven, gently pound them to an even thickness so they cook at the same rate.
Let it rest: Give the chicken a minute or two to rest after cooking so the juices redistribute and it stays moist.
FAQ
How to do garlic butter chicken?
Start by seasoning chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and dried herbs, then sear them in a hot skillet with olive oil until golden. Remove the chicken, then make a quick sauce with butter, chicken broth, and fresh garlic. Return the chicken to the pan, coat it in the sauce, and serve. It's super simple and takes less than 20 minutes from start to finish. My mom always says the key is not to rush the Garlic Butter Chicken, just let it get fragrant and golden without burning.
How long does garlic butter last?
If you're talking about homemade garlic butter stored in the fridge, it usually lasts about 1 to 2 weeks in an airtight container. The garlic butter sauce from this recipe, when stored with the chicken, will keep for 3 to 4 days. Just make sure everything is sealed well so the garlic flavor doesn't transfer to other foods in your fridge.
How long does Garlic Butter Chicken need to cook?
This garlic butter chicken cooks in about 15 minutes total. You sear the chicken for 4 to 8 minutes per side depending on thickness, then it gets a quick warm-up in the sauce. The whole process is fast, which is why it's perfect for busy weeknights. Just make sure the internal temperature hits 165°F so you know it's fully cooked.
How long do you let Garlic Butter Chicken marinate?
This particular recipe doesn't require marinating since the flavor comes from the herbs you season with and the Garlic Butter Chicken sauce. If you want to prep ahead, you can season the chicken and let it sit in the fridge for 30 minutes to an hour, but it's totally optional. I've made it both ways and honestly, it's delicious either way.
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Garlic Butter Chicken
Garlic Butter Chicken
Ingredients
Method
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels, then season both sides with salt, pepper, and dried herbs.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts to the pan in a single layer. Sear for 4-8 minutes on each side, or until golden and just barely cooked through (reduce heat to medium if it browns too quickly). Once cooked, transfer to a plate and cover to keep warm.
- Lower the heat and add the butter to the skillet. Let it melt, scraping the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to deglaze and incorporate the fond.
- Pour in the chicken broth and continue stirring. Once the broth is mixed in, add the minced garlic. Sauté the garlic for about 1 minute, or until fragrant.
- Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, flipping them to coat in the sauce. If necessary, heat for an additional 1-2 minutes to warm through.
- Serve the garlic butter chicken with the pan juices spooned over the top.
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