Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe

If you’re on the hunt for a flavorful, easy weeknight dinner that never disappoints, this Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe is exactly what you need. I absolutely love how tender and juicy the chicken turns out, all smothered in that luscious garlic butter sauce—so comforting and packed with flavor. Whether you’re cooking for the family or just craving something cozy, you’re going to want to stick around for this one.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

These simple ingredients work beautifully together to create a rich, savory sauce that clings perfectly to tender chicken. When shopping, pick fresh garlic and a good quality unsalted butter—it really makes a difference.

• Chicken Breasts: Bring them close to room temperature for even cooking and juicy results.
• Plain / All-Purpose Flour: Helps create a light coating that thickens the sauce nicely.
• Chicken Stock: Adds depth and a savory base to your sauce.
• Unsalted Butter: Dividing it into chunks allows for better control while cooking.
• Garlic: Finely minced for the best garlic flavor without big chunks.
• Fresh Parsley: Gives a fresh pop of color and brightness.
• Olive Oil: Helps achieve a golden sear on the chicken without burning the butter.
• Garlic Powder: Enhances the garlic flavor in the flour dredge.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning at multiple stages.
• Lemon: Adds a fresh zing at the end—totally optional, but I highly recommend it.

Variations

I love how customizable this Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe is — you can make it your own with just a few tweaks. Don’t be afraid to experiment based on what you have in your kitchen or your flavor preferences.

• Add Heat: When I’m feeling spicy, I toss in a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic for a gentle kick that wakes up the sauce.
• Herb Swaps: Sometimes I swap parsley for thyme or rosemary which adds a lovely earthiness and pairs so well with chicken.
• Go Creamy: For a richer sauce, I stir in a splash of heavy cream at the end—trust me, it’s decadence on a plate.
• Make It Low-Carb: Skip the flour dredge and cook the chicken directly—then thicken the sauce with a cornstarch slurry if needed.

How to Make Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe

Step 1: Prepare and Dredge the Chicken

First things first, butterfly your chicken breasts so you end up with four evenly sized pieces. This helps them cook evenly and stay juicy. In a shallow dish, mix the flour with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper for seasoning. Now, dredge each breast in the flour mixture, pressing it in well to get good coverage. You’ll notice this step not only flavors your chicken but helps create that luscious sauce later on.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken to Golden Perfection

Heat 1 tablespoon of butter and your olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Once it’s hot and shimmering, add the chicken breasts. Let them cook undisturbed for about 3-5 minutes per side, depending on thickness—you’re aiming for a gorgeous golden brown and a hot center (white all the way through). Resist the urge to poke or flip them early; patience gives you that perfect sear.

Step 3: Build the Garlic Butter Sauce

Turn the heat down to medium and toss in your minced garlic. That aroma is pure magic—let it cook for 1-2 minutes until it just starts to brown, but watch it closely to avoid burning. Pour in the chicken stock and use a wooden spoon to scrape up all those caramelized bits stuck to the pan—they pack incredible flavor. Add in the remaining butter, whisking swiftly as it melts to create a silky, slightly cloudy sauce. Sprinkle in your fresh parsley and taste for seasoning, adding a little more salt or black pepper if needed.

Step 4: Simmer and Serve

Let the sauce simmer gently until it begins to thicken, about 3-5 minutes. Then, lower the heat to the lowest setting and nestle your chicken back into the pan—spooning the sauce right over each piece. This final step lets the flavors marry beautifully. Serve your chicken drizzled with extra sauce and don’t forget a squeeze of lemon juice if you like a bit of brightness. It really lifts the whole dish.

How to Serve Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe

Garnishes

Fresh parsley is my go-to garnish because it adds a pop of color and freshness that balances the richness. I also love grating a touch of lemon zest over the top before serving—it brightens the dish beautifully, and guests always ask for seconds.

Side Dishes

My favorite sides to serve alongside this garlic butter chicken are creamy mashed potatoes or buttery noodles to soak up that sauce, and some steamed green veggies like asparagus or broccoli for a nice crunch. Sometimes I go for a simple garlic bread and a crisp salad—because why not keep the garlic party going?

Creative Ways to Present

For special dinners, I like to plate the chicken on a bed of sautéed spinach and sprinkle toasted pine nuts over the top for added texture. Another fun idea is serving the chicken sliced with sauce drizzled artistically around the plate—makes you feel like a pro chef without any extra effort.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover garlic butter chicken stores beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I find that letting it cool completely before covering helps keep the sauce nice and glossy rather than watery. When ready to eat, just reheat gently.

Freezing

I don’t usually freeze the chicken cooked in butter sauce because the texture can change slightly, but if you want to, you can freeze the chicken breasts separately and whip up the sauce fresh when you’re ready. Alternatively, freeze everything together, but thaw slowly in the fridge overnight before reheating carefully.

Reheating

When reheating, I prefer to warm the leftovers gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of chicken stock or water if the sauce has thickened too much. This keeps the chicken juicy and prevents the butter sauce from separating. The microwave works in a pinch but tends to dry out the chicken for me.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe is one of those dishes I keep coming back to because it’s simple yet feels special—a real crowd-pleaser that never fails. I love how quickly it comes together without sacrificing flavor, and it’s perfect for whenever you want something cozy and homemade without a lot of fuss. Give it a try and let me know how it turns out; I’m sure it’ll become a staple in your dinner rotation just like it is in mine!

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