Best Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe

Garlic butter chicken is a classic recipe that offers comfort and elegance all in one dish. With juicy chicken cooked to golden perfection, drenched in a rich, garlicky butter sauce, this recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Quick and Easy: Perfect for busy weeknights.
2. Flavorful: Rich garlic and butter enhance the chicken’s natural flavor.
3. Versatile: Pair it with pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or veggies.
4. Minimal Ingredients: Requires simple, pantry-staple ingredients.

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

1. Pound the Chicken
   • Place the chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap or parchment paper. Pound to an even thickness, about 1 inch, for even cooking.
2. Season
   • Season both sides of the chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika.
3. Dredge in Flour
   • Lightly coat the chicken in all-purpose flour. Shake off any excess.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken

1. Heat Oil
   • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Sear the Chicken
   • Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 4–5 minutes on each side until golden brown and fully cooked (internal temperature of 165°F). Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

Step 3: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce

1. Melt Butter
   • In the same skillet, lower the heat to medium and melt the butter.
2. Sauté Garlic
   • Add minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
3. Deglaze the Pan
   • Pour in chicken broth, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan.
4. Add Lemon and Cream
   • Stir in lemon juice and heavy cream, if using. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.

Step 4: Combine and Serve

1. Return Chicken to the Pan
   • Place the chicken back into the skillet, spooning the garlic butter sauce over the top.
2. Simmer
   • Let the chicken simmer in the sauce for 2–3 minutes to soak up the flavors.
3. Garnish
   • Sprinkle chopped parsley over the chicken for a fresh touch.
4. Serve
   • Serve hot with your choice of sides.

Perfect Pairings

Garlic butter chicken is versatile and pairs beautifully with a variety of sides:

• Pasta: Toss linguine or fettuccine in the extra sauce.
• Rice: Serve over fluffy white rice or buttery garlic rice.
• Potatoes: Pair with mashed potatoes or roasted baby potatoes.
• Vegetables: Serve alongside steamed broccoli, sautéed spinach, or roasted asparagus.

Tips for the Best Garlic Butter Chicken

1. Pound the Chicken Evenly
   • Ensures uniform cooking and prevents dry edges.
2. Don’t Overcrowd the Pan
   • Sear the chicken in batches if necessary to achieve a golden crust.
3. Deglaze the Pan
   • Scraping up the brown bits adds depth to the sauce.
4. Use Fresh Garlic
   • Freshly minced garlic provides the best flavor.
5. Adjust the Sauce Consistency
   • Add more broth for a thinner sauce or more cream for a richer texture.

Variations

1. Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken
   • Increase the heavy cream to 1/2 cup for an ultra-creamy sauce.
2. Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken
   • Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
3. Herbed Garlic Butter Chicken
   • Include fresh thyme or rosemary in the sauce for added aroma.
4. Garlic Butter Shrimp and Chicken
   • Add shrimp to the skillet during the last few minutes of cooking.
5. Low-Carb Option
   • Serve with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I Use Chicken Thighs Instead of Breasts?

• Yes! Chicken thighs are juicier and work well in this recipe.

2. Can I Make This Dish Dairy-Free?

• Substitute butter with vegan butter or olive oil and skip the cream.

3. What Type of Skillet Should I Use?

• A cast-iron or stainless-steel skillet is ideal for achieving a golden sear.

4. Can I Double the Recipe?

• Absolutely! Just ensure your skillet is large enough or cook the chicken in batches.

5. Can I Add Vegetables to the Sauce?

• Yes! Mushrooms, spinach, or cherry tomatoes are great additions.

Conclusion

This Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe is the ultimate comfort food, combining tender chicken with a rich, flavorful sauce. It’s easy to make, packed with flavor, and guaranteed to impress anyone at the table. Whether you’re preparing a family dinner or a meal for guests, this dish is sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection.

Yield: 4

Best Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe

Print

Garlic butter chicken is a classic recipe that offers comfort and elegance all in one dish. With juicy chicken cooked to golden perfection, drenched in a rich, garlicky butter sauce, this recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

• For the Chicken:
• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• For the Garlic Butter Sauce:
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• ½ cup chicken broth (or dry white wine)
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• Juice of ½ lemon

Instructions

1. Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
   In a shallow dish, combine flour, paprika, salt, and pepper.
   Dredge the chicken in the flour mixture, shaking off excess.
   
2. Step 2: Sear the Chicken
   Heat olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
   Add the chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.
   Internal temperature should reach 165°F (75°C).
   Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
   
3. Step 3: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce
   In the same skillet, melt 4 tablespoons butter over medium heat.
   Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
   Stir in red pepper flakes (if using) and chicken broth. Simmer for 2-3 minutes.
   Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and lemon juice. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
   
4. Step 4: Combine Chicken and Sauce
   Return the chicken to the skillet, spooning the garlic butter sauce over the top.
   Simmer for 2-3 minutes to warm the chicken and meld the flavors.
   
5. Step 5: Garnish and Serve
   Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.
   Serve hot with sides like mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables, or a crisp salad.

Notes

Butter Substitute: Use ghee or a mix of olive oil and butter for a deeper flavor.

Creamy Twist: For a lighter sauce, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half.

Meal Pairing: Serve over pasta or rice to soak up the rich sauce.