Description
An easy and juicy garlic butter chicken breast recipe that comes together in under 30 minutes, featuring a rich buttery garlic sauce and simple ingredients.
Ingredients
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound / 450g), patted dry
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (60g), divided
- 4 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (15ml)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme or rosemary (optional)
- 1/4 cup chicken broth (60ml), low-sodium
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (15ml), freshly squeezed
- Optional: 1/4 cup heavy cream for a creamier sauce
Instructions
- Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper on both sides. Set aside.
- Heat olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When butter foams, add chicken breasts. Cook without moving for 4 minutes until golden brown and releases easily. Flip and cook 2-3 more minutes until about 80% cooked through.
- Lower heat to medium. Push chicken to one side of the pan. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter and minced garlic to the empty side. Stir garlic constantly for about 30 seconds until fragrant, avoiding browning.
- Add chicken broth, lemon juice, and fresh herbs. Let sauce simmer gently for 2 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Spoon garlic butter sauce over chicken repeatedly. Cover skillet loosely with lid or foil and cook another 2 minutes or until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) internal temperature.
- Transfer chicken to a plate and let rest for 5 minutes. Spoon extra garlic butter sauce over the top before serving.
Notes
Pat chicken dry for a good sear. Add garlic only after butter melts but before it browns to avoid bitterness. Use tongs to flip chicken to keep juices inside. Rest chicken before serving to redistribute juices. Fresh herbs add great flavor; dried herbs can be added with broth. For a creamier sauce, add 1/4 cup heavy cream at the end. To loosen thick sauce, add a splash of broth or water. Avoid microwaving leftovers to prevent drying out; reheat gently in skillet with broth or water.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast (ab
- Calories: 450
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 30
- Saturated Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 1
- Protein: 42
Keywords: garlic butter chicken, easy chicken recipe, juicy chicken breast, quick dinner, weeknight meal, garlic chicken, buttery sauce