Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe

Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe

Introduction
This Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe delivers a simple yet impressive weeknight meal that tastes like a restaurant dish. The chicken is seared until golden, then finished in a silky garlic butter sauce that smells like a warm hug when it hits the pan. Expect tender, juicy breast meat with a glossy, savory sauce and a bright hint of parsley on top. The texture combines a lightly crisp exterior with a soft, juicy interior, while the aroma of garlic and butter fills the kitchen. It is ideal for busy weeknights, easy date nights at home, or when you want a comforting dinner that comes together quickly. If you enjoy turning this chicken into a handheld or wrap, try pairing it with a version of my cheesy garlic chicken wraps for a fast, crowd pleasing meal.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, main protein, trimmed and patted dry for even searing.
• 1/2 cup white wine or chicken broth, used to deglaze the pan and add depth to the pan sauce.
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, adds richness and creates the glossy garlic butter sauce.
• 1 to 2 teaspoons 21 Salute Seasoning or poultry seasoning, provides seasoning and aromatic herbs for the chicken.
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, enhances and balances flavors; adjust if your seasoning is already salty.
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, freshly ground for brighter spice and aroma.
• 3 tablespoons olive oil, used for searing the chicken and preventing sticking.
• 1 tablespoon garlic, minced, gives the sauce its signature savory garlic flavor.
• 2 teaspoons fresh parsley, finely chopped, brightens and finishes the dish with a fresh herb note and color.
  If you want to serve this sauce over pasta or bread, consider similar pairings like my cowboy butter chicken pasta for inspiration.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Warm a skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Use a heavy skillet for even heat distribution. Tip: a stainless steel or cast iron skillet gives a better sear.
2. Coat chicken breasts with seasoning evenly. Sprinkle 1 to 2 teaspoons of 21 Salute Seasoning or poultry seasoning, then add the kosher salt and black pepper so each piece is well seasoned.
3. Place seasoned chicken in the skillet and sear until golden brown, about 5 to 6 minutes per side. Do not move the chicken too soon so a good crust forms. Cook time may vary with thickness.
4. Pour white wine or chicken broth into the skillet to deglaze, scraping the bottom with a spatula. The liquid will lift browned bits and form the base of the sauce.
5. Lower the heat, add butter and minced garlic, swirling until butter is melted. Keep the heat gentle so the garlic softens and does not burn.
6. Allow chicken to finish cooking in the sauce for 2 to 3 minutes, checking internal temperature to ensure it reaches 165°F. Spoon sauce over the chicken while it cooks for even flavor.
7. Optionally sprinkle chopped parsley on top before serving, drizzling pan sauce over the chicken. Serve immediately with your chosen sides or a simple slice of garlic toast for soaking up the sauce, such as a quick garlic toast.

Recipe Details

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Servings: 4
• Calories: Approximately 440 calories per serving

Tips, Storage & Variations

• Tips
  • Bring chicken to room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes before cooking for more even cooking.
  • Pat the breasts dry to help them sear properly and form a golden crust.
  • Use the wine for a slightly brighter, more acidic sauce. Use chicken broth if you prefer no alcohol.
• Storage
  • Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 to 4 days.
  • Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat to preserve the sauce texture.
• Freezing
  • Freeze cooked chicken and sauce in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Flavor variations using only existing ingredients
  • Swap white wine for chicken broth for a milder sauce.
  • Use 2 teaspoons of the 21 Salute Seasoning for a bolder herb profile.
  • Increase the butter slightly for a richer, more velvety sauce.
  • Fold the finished chicken into a wrap using ideas from my deliciously cheesy chicken garlic wraps.

FAQ

1. How do I know when the chicken is done?
   Check with a meat thermometer; internal temperature should read 165°F at the thickest part.
2. Can I use frozen chicken breasts?
   Thaw fully before cooking so you can achieve a proper sear and cook through evenly.
3. What can I substitute for white wine?
   Use chicken broth instead; it will deglaze the pan and add savory flavor without alcohol.
4. Should I cover the pan while the chicken finishes in the sauce?
   No need to cover. Lower heat and spoon the sauce over the chicken as it finishes cooking.
5. Can I make this dairy free?
   This recipe relies on butter for the sauce, so it is not dairy free as written. Use only the ingredients listed for the intended flavor.

People Also Ask

1. What is 21 Salute Seasoning?
   21 Salute Seasoning is a poultry-style blend with herbs and spices; use 1 to 2 teaspoons as directed for balanced flavor.
2. Can I double this recipe?
   Yes, you can double ingredients and cook in batches so the pan is not overcrowded.
3. Is it better to use olive oil or butter for searing?
   Use olive oil for searing at medium-high heat and add butter later for the sauce to prevent burning.
4. How long does it take to deglaze a pan?
   Deglazing takes about 30 seconds to 1 minute; scrape browned bits while the liquid reduces slightly.
5. Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
   You can make the sauce and store separately, but the sauce is best when finished with the pan juices from searing the chicken.
6. Will the garlic burn if I cook it for too long?
   Yes, garlic burns quickly. Lower the heat when you add butter and garlic and remove from direct high heat if the garlic browns too fast.
7. What side dishes pair well with garlic butter chicken?
   Simple sides like steamed vegetables, rice, or bread to soak up sauce work well.
8. How can I keep the chicken from drying out?
   Do not overcook. Start checking internal temperature near the end of the searing time and finish in the sauce until 165°F.

Conclusion

This Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe is a fast, flavorful meal you can rely on any night of the week. The seared chicken and glossy garlic butter sauce are simple to make and comforting to eat, and the dish pairs well with pasta, bread, or wraps for easy serving. For another take on a quick garlic butter chicken, see Garlic Butter Chicken (4 Ingredient Sauce!) | Don’t Go Bacon My Heart, and to explore a slightly different version, try Garlic Butter Chicken | Table for Two® by Julie Chiou. Try this recipe tonight and share how it turned out for you with friends or family for a cozy, satisfying meal.

Garlic Butter Chicken

Print Recipe

A simple yet impressive weeknight meal featuring tender chicken breasts seared to perfection and finished in a savory garlic butter sauce.

• Author: amanda-lewis
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Searing
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: None

Ingredients

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• 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, trimmed
• 1/2 cup white wine or chicken broth
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 to 2 teaspoons 21 Salute Seasoning or poultry seasoning
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons fresh parsley, finely chopped

Instructions

1. Warm a skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering.
2. Coat chicken breasts with seasoning evenly.
3. Place seasoned chicken in the skillet and sear until golden brown, about 5 to 6 minutes per side.
4. Pour white wine or chicken broth into the skillet to deglaze, scraping the bottom with a spatula.
5. Lower the heat, add butter and minced garlic, swirling until butter is melted.
6. Allow chicken to finish cooking in the sauce for 2 to 3 minutes.
7. Optionally sprinkle chopped parsley on top before serving.

Notes

Optionally serve with pasta, bread, or wraps. Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3-4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 440
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 700mg
• Fat: 26g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 4g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 44g
• Cholesterol: 120mg

Keywords: garlic butter chicken, weeknight meal, easy dinner