Perfect Garlic Butter Chicken: Easy & Delicious Recipe

If you love chicken and are looking for a delicious, easy-to-make dinner, you’re going to love Garlic Butter Chicken! This dish is all about juicy chicken cooked with butter and garlic, two ingredients that make everything taste amazing. Whether you’re new to cooking or just want to try a simple recipe, this step-by-step guide will help you make a restaurant-worthy meal right at home!

Garlic Butter Chicken is popular because it’s quick, full of flavor, and can be served with almost anything—rice, pasta, or even veggies. Let’s start by gathering the ingredients.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Most of the ingredients for Garlic Butter Chicken are already in your kitchen. Here’s what you’ll need:

For the Chicken:

• 2-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or chicken thighs if you prefer)
• 3 tablespoons of butter (unsalted or salted, depending on your taste)
• 5-6 cloves of garlic, minced (that’s around 2 tablespoons)
• 1 teaspoon of salt (adjust to taste)
• 1 teaspoon of black pepper
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• Fresh parsley or thyme for garnish (optional but recommended)

Optional Extras:

• Juice of half a lemon (for a fresh, zesty flavor)
• 1 cup of chicken broth (for a light sauce)
• Heavy cream (for a richer, creamier sauce)

If you like adding sides to your meal, some great options include roasted potatoes, steamed broccoli, or a simple green salad. These can be easily paired with this dish.

Preparing the Chicken: Step-by-Step Instructions

Now that you have your ingredients, it’s time to start cooking! This recipe will guide you through each step to make sure your Garlic Butter Chicken turns out perfect every time.

Step 1: Season the Chicken

The first thing you want to do is season your chicken. If you’re using chicken breasts, you can lightly pound them with a meat mallet to make sure they cook evenly. This helps the chicken cook faster and ensures the seasoning goes all the way through.

Sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides of each chicken piece. Make sure the seasoning is even so every bite of your chicken tastes delicious.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken

Next, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and wait until it’s nice and hot. This step is really important because searing the chicken helps it get a golden, crispy crust on the outside while staying juicy on the inside.

Place the chicken in the skillet and cook for about 5-6 minutes per side. Don’t move the chicken around too much while it’s cooking—let it sit so it can develop that golden-brown color. Once the chicken is browned on both sides, remove it from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.

Step 3: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce

Now comes the best part—making the garlic butter sauce! In the same skillet (don’t clean it, we want all those delicious chicken bits), add 3 tablespoons of butter. Once the butter melts, toss in your minced garlic. Stir the garlic around for about 30 seconds to 1 minute. You’ll know it’s ready when it smells fragrant and starts to turn a light golden color.

Tip: Be careful not to burn the garlic! If the heat is too high, lower it to medium or even low so the garlic cooks gently. Burnt garlic can taste bitter, and we want our sauce to be rich and buttery.

Step 4: Add the Chicken Back In

Once your garlic is ready, it’s time to add the chicken back into the pan. Spoon the garlic butter sauce over each piece of chicken to make sure it’s fully coated. This is where the magic happens—letting the chicken soak up all that garlicky, buttery goodness.

If you want to make a sauce for serving, now is the time to add chicken broth and/or lemon juice to the pan. Pour in 1 cup of chicken broth and the juice of half a lemon, then stir everything together. This will create a light, flavorful sauce that pairs perfectly with the chicken.

Step 5: Simmer Until Fully Cooked

Let the chicken simmer in the sauce for another 5-10 minutes, depending on the thickness of your chicken breasts. If you’re unsure whether the chicken is fully cooked, you can cut into one of the breasts to check. It should no longer be pink inside, and the juices should run clear.

If you want to make the dish even creamier, now’s the time to add a splash of heavy cream to the pan. Stir it into the sauce, and let it cook for another 2 minutes until everything is rich and creamy.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Once your chicken is fully cooked, remove the skillet from the heat. Garnish with fresh parsley or thyme for a pop of color and extra flavor. Serve the chicken with your favorite side dishes, like mashed potatoes, rice, or vegetables.

Serving Suggestions

There are so many ways to serve Garlic Butter Chicken! Here are a few ideas:

• Over Pasta: The buttery garlic sauce goes perfectly with pasta. Try serving the chicken over spaghetti or fettuccine for a filling meal.
• With Rice: A bed of fluffy rice is perfect for soaking up all that delicious sauce. Learn how to make perfect rice here.
• With Veggies: You can also serve the chicken alongside roasted vegetables like carrots, broccoli, or green beans for a healthy, balanced meal.

Tips for Success

Want to make sure your Garlic Butter Chicken turns out perfect every time? Follow these tips:

• Don’t overcook the chicken. Overcooked chicken can be dry and tough. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. It should be 165°F (74°C) when done.
• Let the chicken rest. After cooking, let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing. This helps the juices redistribute, keeping the meat juicy.
• Use fresh garlic. Freshly minced garlic gives the best flavor. Try to avoid using garlic powder for this recipe.

Healthier Substitutions

If you’re looking for a lighter version of Garlic Butter Chicken, here are some easy swaps:

• Use less butter: You can cut down the butter to 1 tablespoon and use more olive oil to make the dish lighter.
• Add more veggies: Bulk up your meal with extra vegetables. You can add spinach, bell peppers, or zucchini to the pan while the chicken is cooking.
• Skip the cream: If you want to avoid heavy cream, you can leave it out of the recipe altogether. The dish will still be delicious!

For more healthy chicken recipes, check out our guide to healthy chicken meals.

Final Thoughts

Garlic Butter Chicken is an easy, tasty dish that’s perfect for any night of the week. Whether you serve it with pasta, rice, or veggies, it’s sure to be a hit with the whole family. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a meal that’s packed with flavor. Be sure to try out this recipe and make it your own!

For more great recipes like this, don’t forget to visit our Chicken Recipe Collection.