This garlic butter chicken transforms humble chicken breasts into something truly crave-worthy. The secret is searing the chicken in a hot skillet to get a golden crust, then basting it in a bubbling garlic butter sauce fragrant with fresh herbs. It comes together in 30 minutes and tastes like something you'd order at a restaurant.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz each)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons butter, divided
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or ½ tsp dried)
Instructions
1
Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
2
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 2 tablespoons of butter and let it melt into the oil.
3
Add the chicken breasts and cook without moving for 5–6 minutes until a golden crust forms. Flip and cook another 5–7 minutes until cooked through (internal temperature 165°F / 74°C). Transfer to a plate and tent with foil.
4
Reduce heat to medium. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant but not browned.
5
Add the chicken broth and lemon juice. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan — these add incredible flavor. Simmer for 2 minutes until slightly reduced.
6
Return the chicken to the pan. Spoon the garlic butter sauce over the top. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and thyme. Serve immediately with the pan sauce drizzled over each piece.
💡 Chef's Tip Pound chicken breasts to an even thickness (about ¾ inch) before cooking. This ensures they cook evenly — no more dry edges and raw centers. A meat mallet or rolling pin works perfectly.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve over steamed rice or mashed potatoes to soak up the sauce
- Pair with roasted vegetables for a complete meal
- Slice and add to pasta with extra sauce for a quick pasta dinner
- Serve alongside crusty bread to mop up every drop of garlic butter
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