If you’re looking for a dish that feels like a warm hug on a plate, this Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe is exactly what you need. Juicy chicken breasts get drenched in a rich, silky garlic butter sauce that bursts with herbs and a hint of tang from white wine vinegar. It’s simple enough for a weeknight dinner but impressive enough to bring to any gathering. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it will become a staple in your kitchen for its comforting flavors and melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe lies in its uncomplicated yet essential ingredients. Each brings a punch of freshness, earthiness, and richness that work beautifully together. From fragrant herbs to creamy butter, every component plays a crucial role.
- 4 chicken breasts, about 2 pounds: The star protein that becomes tender and juicy after cooking.
- 1 teaspoon salt: Enhances the natural flavor of the chicken and herbs.
- 1 teaspoon parsley: Adds a fresh, slightly peppery note that brightens the dish.
- 1 teaspoon oregano: Brings that classic Mediterranean earthiness.
- 1 teaspoon basil: Offers a sweet, aromatic touch that pairs wonderfully with garlic.
- ½ teaspoon pepper: Provides a gentle heat to balance flavors.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil: Perfect for searing the chicken to golden perfection.
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar: Adds subtle acidity to cut through the richness.
- ¼ cup chicken broth: Keeps the sauce light and flavorful without overpowering.
- ¼ cup unsalted butter: The key to that luscious, velvety sauce coating every bite.
- 1 small shallot, minced (about ¼ cup): Offers gentle sweetness and depth.
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic (5-6 cloves): The bold garlic punch that defines this recipe’s signature flavor.
How to Make Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Chicken
Start by pounding the chicken breasts with a meat tenderizer until they’re evenly about 1.5 inches thick. This step ensures every piece cooks uniformly, giving you juicy chicken without any dry or overcooked spots. It also helps the chicken absorb the herb seasoning better.
Step 2: Season with Herbs
Mix together salt, parsley, oregano, basil, and pepper in a small bowl. Then, gently rub this aromatic herb mixture all over each chicken breast. The herbs create a fragrant crust when seared and infuse the chicken with delicious flavor right from the start.
Step 3: Sear to Golden Perfection
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and carefully place the seasoned chicken breasts in the pan. Let them cook undisturbed for about 4-5 minutes to develop a beautiful golden crust. Flip and give the other side equal love. This caramelization seals in the juices and builds layers of flavor.
Step 4: Remove Chicken and Begin Sauce
Once the chicken has a golden crust, take it out of the skillet to make room for your sauce. This step is crucial because the skillet holds all those browned bits that will boost the sauce’s depth.
Step 5: Create the Garlic Butter Sauce
Add white wine vinegar, chicken broth, butter, and the minced shallot to the same pan. Gently sauté the shallot until it softens, about 3-4 minutes. Then, stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. This combination makes a fragrant and rich base that ties the whole dish together.
Step 6: Simmer Chicken in Sauce
Turn the heat down to medium and nestle the chicken back into the pan, spooning the garlic butter sauce all over each piece. Let the chicken cook until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), flipping halfway to coat evenly with the luscious sauce. This method ensures tenderness and flavor with every bite.
Step 7: Serve It Up
Once cooked through, remove the pan from heat. Plate the chicken and spoon extra garlic butter sauce over the top to really maximize flavor. This final touch makes the dish irresistibly saucy and satisfying.
How to Serve Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh herbs like chopped parsley or basil sprinkled on top work wonders to add a burst of color and freshness to your plated Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe. A wedge of lemon on the side also brightens the richness and offers guests the chance to customize their flavor.
Side Dishes
This chicken pairs beautifully with light and comforting sides like garlic mashed potatoes, steamed green beans, or a simple buttered pasta. The creamy textures complement the sauce perfectly without competing for attention.
Creative Ways to Present
For a dinner party, try serving the chicken over a bed of sautéed spinach or creamy polenta with a drizzle of the buttery garlic sauce. Serving in shallow bowls makes spooning up every last bit of sauce easy and keeps things cozy and inviting.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover garlic butter chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The sauce helps keep the chicken moist, so reheating will still deliver comforting flavors.
Freezing
If you want to freeze, place the cooked chicken and sauce in a freezer-safe container. It’s best to consume within 2 months for optimal flavor. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating gently.
Reheating
Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat to keep the chicken tender and the garlic butter sauce silky. You can add a splash of chicken broth if the sauce thickens too much during reheating.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes! Chicken thighs will be even juicier and add a bit more richness. Just adjust cooking time to ensure they cook through.
What if I don’t have white wine vinegar?
Lemon juice or apple cider vinegar makes a fine substitute and will still bring that nice acidity to brighten the sauce.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Absolutely. This Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as your chicken broth doesn’t contain any additives with gluten.
Is it okay to use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic?
Fresh garlic is recommended for the most vibrant flavor and texture, but garlic powder can work in a pinch—use about 1 teaspoon instead of fresh and add it during seasoning.
How do I know when the chicken is done?
The best way is to use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) for safe, juicy chicken.
Final Thoughts
This Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe is one of those dishes that feels like an instant classic the moment you make it. The combination of herbs, garlic, and butter creates a comfort-food experience that’s both easy and impressive. Give it a try—you might just find your new favorite way to enjoy chicken.
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Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Garlic Butter Chicken recipe features tender chicken breasts cooked to perfection in a rich, flavorful garlic butter sauce infused with fresh herbs, shallots, and a hint of white wine vinegar. It is a quick and easy stovetop meal that delivers a golden crust on the outside while keeping the chicken juicy and succulent inside.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 chicken breasts, about 2 pounds
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon parsley
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon basil
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- ¼ cup chicken broth
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- 1 small shallot, minced (about ¼ cup)
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic (5–6 cloves)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Pound the 4 chicken breasts with a meat tenderizer until they are uniformly about 1.5 inches thick to ensure even cooking.
- Season the chicken: In a small bowl, mix together 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon parsley, 1 teaspoon oregano, 1 teaspoon basil, and ½ teaspoon pepper. Rub this dried herb mixture evenly over the chicken breasts.
- Sear the chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken breasts and cook undisturbed for 4-5 minutes until they develop a golden crust. Flip and repeat on the other side to achieve a similar crust.
- Remove chicken: Take the chicken out of the skillet and set aside temporarily.
- Make the sauce base: In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar, ¼ cup chicken broth, ¼ cup unsalted butter, and the minced shallot. Sauté this mixture over medium heat until the shallot softens, about 3-4 minutes. Then add 2 tablespoons minced garlic and continue to sauté for another 2-3 minutes to release its flavor.
- Cook chicken in sauce: Lower the heat to medium and return the chicken breasts to the skillet. Coat each breast thoroughly with the garlic butter sauce. Continue basting them with the sauce as they cook through to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), flipping after 5 minutes to ensure even cooking.
- Serve: Remove the skillet from heat and serve the chicken immediately, spooning the garlic butter sauce generously over the top for maximum flavor.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F for safe consumption.
- If you don’t have a meat tenderizer, carefully slice chicken breasts horizontally to butterfly them evenly.
- Substitute white wine vinegar with lemon juice for a slightly different tangy flavor.
- This recipe pairs well with steamed vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a fresh green salad.
- Leftover chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
