The Perfect Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe for Cozy Dinners

Garlic butter chicken upgrades ordinary poultry into a mouthwatering culinary experience that awakens every taste bud.

Home cooks adore how quickly this meal comes together with minimal ingredients and maximum flavor.

Aromatic garlic infuses each tender piece of meat with an irresistible depth that makes dining feel special.

butter adds a luxurious richness that elevates the entire dish beyond simple weeknight fare.

Comfort and elegance merge seamlessly in this recipe that feels both familiar and exciting.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this meal promises to become a go-to solution for delicious dinners that impress without overwhelming.

What Makes Garlic Butter Chicken So Addictive

• Savor Quick Gourmet Perfection: This garlic butter chicken transforms ordinary ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal in just 15 minutes, making fancy dining accessible for busy home cooks.
• Indulge in Rich Flavor Layers: The method of searing chicken creates a golden crust while the garlic butter sauce adds depth and richness, delivering a mouthwatering combination of crispy exterior and tender, juicy meat.
• Boost Protein Power: Packed with 42 grams of protein per serving, this recipe supports muscle health and provides substantial nutrition, making it perfect for fitness enthusiasts and those seeking a satisfying, healthy meal.
• Enjoy Minimal Cleanup Cooking: Using just one skillet and requiring simple ingredients, this recipe minimizes kitchen mess and preparation time, offering a stress-free cooking experience with maximum delicious results.

Ingredients That Bring Garlic Butter Chicken to Life

Main Ingredients:

• Chicken Breast: Lean, tender protein that serves as the star of the dish, best when evenly pounded for consistent cooking.
• 21 Salute Seasoning: Versatile spice blend that adds complex flavor and depth to the chicken.
• Salt: Essential seasoning that enhances the natural taste of the chicken.
• Black Pepper: Provides a subtle heat and aromatic warmth to the meat.

• Olive Oil: High-heat cooking oil that helps create a golden sear on the chicken.
• Wine or Broth: Liquid used for deglazing, adding rich flavor and helping to lift browned bits from the pan.
• Butter: Creates a luxurious, velvety sauce with rich, creamy texture.
• Garlic: Provides intense, aromatic flavor that complements the chicken perfectly.

• Fresh Parsley: Bright, fresh herb that adds color and a light, herbal touch to the finished dish.

How to Make Garlic Butter Chicken in Simple Steps

Step 1: Prepare Chicken

Pound chicken breasts to even thickness. Season with 21 Salute, salt, and pepper.

Step 2: Sear First Side

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place seasoned chicken in the skillet and cook undisturbed for 5 minutes until golden brown. Thicker breasts might need 6-7 minutes.

Step 3: Sear Second Side

Carefully flip the chicken. Cook for another 5 minutes until fully cooked through without moving.

Step 4: Rest Chicken

Transfer cooked chicken to a clean plate using a slotted spatula. Let it rest while preparing the sauce.

Step 5: Deglaze Skillet

Pour wine or broth into the hot skillet. Let it bubble and sizzle for several seconds, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.

Step 6: Create Butter Sauce

Add butter to the skillet and stir continuously until completely melted, about 1 minute.

Step 7: Add Garlic

Incorporate minced garlic into the butter sauce. Stir constantly and cook until fragrant, approximately 1 minute.

Step 8: Combine Chicken and Sauce

Remove skillet from heat. Gently return chicken to the garlic butter sauce, flipping to coat evenly.

Step 9: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley on top. Serve immediately while hot and saucy.

Garlic Butter Chicken Tips You Need to Know

• Pound Perfectly: Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to create an even thickness, ensuring uniform cooking and preventing dry edges.
• Seasoning Secret: Sprinkle 21 Salute and salt just before cooking to help develop a flavorful golden crust without making the chicken soggy.
• Heat Management: Keep the skillet at medium-high heat to achieve that beautiful golden-brown sear without burning the chicken's exterior.
• Rest and Relax: Always let the chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking to redistribute juices, keeping the meat tender and succulent.
• Sauce Swirl: When adding butter and garlic, continuously stir to prevent burning and create a rich, aromatic sauce that perfectly coats the chicken.

Storing & Reheating Garlic Butter Chicken the Right Way

• Refrigeration: Transfer cooled chicken to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Seal tightly to prevent moisture loss and maintain flavor.
• Reheating: Warm chicken gently in a skillet over medium-low heat to prevent drying out. Add a splash of chicken broth or water to help retain moisture and restore its juicy texture. Stir occasionally and heat until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, which typically takes 4-5 minutes.
• Freezing: Wrap individual chicken pieces in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to preserve the garlic butter sauce's rich flavor and chicken's tenderness.

What to Serve with Garlic Butter Chicken

• Elevate with Crisp Chardonnay: The buttery, garlicky notes of the chicken perfectly complement a chilled Chardonnay's smooth, oak-influenced flavor profile, creating a harmonious dining experience.
• Pair with Roasted Asparagus: The tender, slightly charred asparagus brings a fresh, green contrast to the rich garlic butter chicken, adding nutritional balance and textural excitement to the meal.
• Serve alongside Herbed Quinoa: Light, fluffy quinoa seasoned with fresh herbs provides a delicate, protein-packed base that soaks up the delicious garlic butter sauce while offering a nutritious complement to the chicken.
• Match with Crusty Sourdough Bread: The tangy, crusty bread becomes an ideal vehicle for mopping up the luxurious garlic butter sauce, ensuring no drop of flavor goes to waste and enhancing the overall dining pleasure.

Tasty Twists on Garlic Butter Chicken

• Herb-Infused Elegance: Replace 21 Salute seasoning with a blend of fresh thyme, rosemary, and oregano for an aromatic Mediterranean-inspired chicken dish.
• Spicy Southwestern Kick: Swap salt and pepper with chipotle powder, cumin, and smoked paprika to create a bold, zesty flavor profile that brings heat to the classic recipe.
• Lemon Zest Refresh: Add fresh lemon zest and juice to the garlic butter sauce, creating a bright, citrusy undertone that cuts through the richness of the butter and enhances the chicken's natural flavors.
• Mushroom Umami Boost: Sauté sliced cremini or shiitake mushrooms in the skillet before adding the garlic butter sauce, introducing an earthy depth and additional texture to the dish.

Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe

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4.7 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent Garlic Butter Chicken promises a flavor-packed journey through Mediterranean culinary delights. Herbs, butter, and perfectly seared chicken create a luxurious meal that transports diners straight to a charming coastal kitchen.

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Ingredients

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Main Proteins:

• 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded to an even thickness

Fats and Oils:

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, or more if you want extra sauce

Seasonings and Herbs:

• 1 tablespoon garlic, finely minced; or to taste
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
• 1 to 2 teaspoons twenty-one salute seasoning or poultry seasoning
• 2 teaspoons fresh parsley, optional for garnishing
• 0.5 cup white wine or chicken broth, or as necessary

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Instructions

1. Prepare a large skillet by heating olive oil (29 milliliters or ) over medium-high temperature, creating a smooth cooking surface.
2. Carefully place the pounded chicken breasts into the hot skillet, seasoning generously with 21 Salute seasoning, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper to enhance flavor profiles.
3. Allow chicken to sear undisturbed for 5-6 minutes, developing a rich golden-brown crust that seals in moisture and creates a delectable exterior texture.
4. Gently flip the chicken using tongs, ensuring each side achieves an even caramelized appearance; continue cooking for an additional 4-5 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
5. Transfer cooked chicken to a clean serving plate, letting it rest and retain its juices while preparing the sauce.
6. Deglaze the sizzling skillet with white wine or chicken broth (118 milliliters or ), scraping up any flavorful browned bits from the pan’s surface.
7. Reduce liquid by half, then introduce unsalted butter (56 grams or ), stirring continuously until completely melted and creating a smooth, glossy sauce.
8. Add finely minced garlic (3-4 cloves), sautéing for 30-45 seconds until fragrant but not browned to prevent bitterness.
9. Return rested chicken to the skillet, gently coating each piece with the luxurious garlic butter sauce to maximize flavor absorption.
10. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, presenting a vibrant and aromatic dish ready for immediate serving.

Notes

• Capture the essence of comfort food with this simple yet luxurious chicken dish that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal.
• Deglazing creates magical flavor moments by releasing all those delicious browned bits stuck to the skillet’s bottom.
• Butter and garlic work together as culinary soulmates, infusing every bite with rich, aromatic goodness.
• Resting chicken allows juices to redistribute, ensuring each tender piece remains moist and succulent.
• Golden searing develops deep flavor complexity through caramelization, creating a beautiful exterior that locks in moisture.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 490 kcal
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 700 mg
• Fat: 34 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 3 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 42 g
• Cholesterol: 130 mg