Description
This garlic butter chicken breast recipe is the perfect combination of tender, juicy chicken and a rich, buttery sauce infused with garlic and a hint of lemon. It’s quick to make and pairs beautifully with rice, mashed potatoes, or fresh veggies for a comforting, flavorful meal.
Ingredients
For the chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the garlic butter sauce:
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ cup chicken broth (or water with a chicken bouillon cube)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
Season the chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Combine paprika, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Rub the seasoning mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken.
Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 5-6 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and fully cooked (165°F/74°C internal temperature). Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.
Make the sauce: In the same skillet, lower the heat to medium-low and melt the butter. Stir in minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, until fragrant.
Deglaze the pan: Add chicken broth and lemon juice to the pan. Stir well, scraping up any browned bits stuck to the skillet (this adds tons of flavor). Simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.
Finish the dish: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning the sauce over the top. Let the chicken simmer in the sauce for 2-3 minutes to absorb the flavors.
Garnish and serve: Sprinkle fresh parsley over the chicken and serve immediately. Drizzle extra sauce over your side dishes for extra flavor!
Notes
- For extra creaminess, stir 2-3 tablespoons of heavy cream into the sauce during step 4.
- This recipe works well with boneless chicken thighs if you prefer dark meat. Adjust the cooking time as needed.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth if you’re watching your salt intake.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Pan-frying and Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: Garlic butter chicken, quick chicken recipes, skillet chicken, weeknight dinner, juicy chicken breast