Garlic Butter Chicken

Garlic Butter Chicken is a rich and flavorful one-pan recipe that’s on the dinner table in just 30 minutes! Seasoned, tender chicken breasts are pan-seared and then nestled in a simple yet tasty garlic butter sauce.

Overhead shot of seared garlic butter chicken in a skillet.

Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Crowd-Pleasing: This garlic butter chicken has the best flavor, yet it’s simple enough that even kiddos love this one!
  • Easy to Prepare: No need to marinate the chicken! You’ll have this ready to serve in just about 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
  • Budget-Friendly: If you’re looking for a restaurant quality meal that won’t break the bank, this is the recipe for you!

Ingredients You Need to Make Garlic Butter Chicken

You probably already have most of the ingredients you need to make this garlic butter chicken recipe on hand. You will love how quickly it comes together! Check out the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all of the exact measurements.

  • Chicken Breasts: You’ll need four boneless skinless chicken breasts. Lightly pound them into thinner pieces so they cook evenly.
  • Salt & Pepper: To really bring out the flavor of the chicken.
  • Seasonings: We’re coating the chicken with a mix of parsley, oregano, and basil to add plenty of delicious herby flavor.
  • Olive Oil: For cooking the chicken.
  • White Wine Vinegar: Brightens the flavor and cuts the richness.
  • Chicken Broth: Adds flavor to the sauce and makes the consistency just right.
  • Butter: The butter creates a rich, delicious sauce, which will soak into the chicken for major flavor.
  • Shallot: Adds onion flavor without overwhelming the other ingredients.
  • Garlic: Minced garlic provides a wonderful depth of flavor.
Overhead shot of labeled ingredients.

How to Make This Easy Chicken Recipe

Whether it’s a busy weeknight or you’re hosting guests, this garlic butter chicken recipe is perfect. It’s super easy to make, and it tastes great! Here’s how it all comes together in one pan:

  1. Prep: Prepare the chicken breasts by pounding them with a meat tenderizer until they are about 1.5 inches thick.
  2. Mix Seasonings: Mix the salt, parsley, oregano, basil, and pepper in a small bowl, then rub the chicken breasts with the dried herbs.
  3. Sear the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken to the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes, until a golden crust has formed. Flip the chicken and repeat on the other side.
  4. Make the Sauce: Remove the chicken from the pan, then add in the white wine vinegar, chicken broth, butter, and shallot. Saute until the shallot is tender, about 3-4 minutes.
  5. Add Garlic: Add the garlic to the pan and saute for another 2-3 minutes.
  6. Add the Chicken to the Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium and then add the chicken back to the pan. Coat each breast with the garlic butter sauce mixture. Continue basting the breasts with the sauce until the chicken is cooked through. Flip the chicken after 5 minutes to evenly cook. Remove the pan from heat and serve the chicken fresh with the sauce spooned over the top.
Overhead shot of chicken breasts tenderized.
Angle shot of chicken breasts being coated in seasonings.
Angle shot of chicken breast searing in a skillet.
Angle shot of white wine, vinegar, chicken broth, butter and shallots in a skillet.
Angle shot of chicken broth and white wine mixture with garlic added.
Angle shot of browned chicken breasts in broth and garlic mixture in skillet.

Tips for Garlic Butter Chicken

Your family is going to love this super flavorful chicken recipe, and I love how easy it is to make!

  • Use Chicken Thighs: Chicken thighs can be used in place of breasts, if they are bone-in skip the tenderizing process. 
  • Type of Butter: You can use salted or unsalted butter, just depending on your preference.
  • Chicken Doneness: You want your chicken cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Use a meat thermometer to be sure you have perfectly cooked chicken. If you don’t have a meat thermometer, look for the juices to run clear. 
  • Serving Suggestions: This chicken goes well with rice, orzo, spaghetti, or potatoes. 
Close up shot of garlic butter chicken.

Storing Leftovers

Garlic butter chicken makes great leftovers! It stays garlicy and delicious for days!

  • In the Refrigerator: Store your leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Freezer: You can freeze your leftovers in a freezer safe plastic bag or container for up to 3 months.
  • To Reheat: Reheat leftovers in the microwave until warmed through. Add a splash of chicken broth to add moisture if desired.
Overhead shot of plated garlic butter chicken over mashed potatoes next to asparagus.

Make it a Meal!

One of my favorite things about this chicken recipe is that it pairs well with so many different sides! Here are a few of my favorites to make this a complete meal!

Print

Garlic Butter Chicken

Garlic Butter Chicken is a rich and flavorful one-pan recipe that's on the dinner table in just 30 minutes! Well-seasoned, tender chicken breasts are pan-seared and then nestled in a simple, yet tasty sauce made with vinegar, broth, butter, shallots and plenty of garlic.
Course Dinner, Main Course, main dish
Cuisine American
Keyword Butter, Garlic, Garlic butter chicken
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4 people
Calories 440kcal
Author Alyssa Rivers

Equipment

  • skillet

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Prepare the chicken breasts by pounding them with a meat tenderizer until they are uniformly about 1.5 inches thick.
  • Mix the salt, parsley, oregano, basil, and pepper in a small bowl and rub the chicken breasts with the dried herbs.
  • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken to the skillet and cook, undisturbed for 4-5 minutes, until a golden crust has formed. Flip the chicken and repeat on the other side.
  • Remove the chicken from the pan. Add in the white wine vinegar, chicken broth, butter, and shallot. Saute until the shallot is tender, about 3-4 minutes. Add the garlic to the pan and saute for another 2-3 minutes.
  • Reduce the heat to medium and add the chicken back to the pan. Coat each breast with the sauce mixture. Continue basting the breasts with the sauce until the chicken is cooked through. Flip the chicken after 5 minutes to evenly cook.
  • Remove the pan from heat and serve the chicken fresh with the sauce spooned over the top.

Notes

Standard practice is to use unsalted butter, you can use salted butter in this recipe, just season to taste. 
 
You can use chicken thighs in this recipe. Do not tenderize the chicken if it’s bone-in thighs.

Nutrition

Calories: 440kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 49g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 175mg | Sodium: 992mg | Potassium: 905mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 437IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 1mg


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