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Garlic Butter Chicken, a delicious and easy weeknight dinner, is featured in this mouthwatering image.

Perfect Garlic Butter Chicken

This recipe delivers restaurant-quality garlic butter chicken with tender, flavorful chicken breasts and a rich, savory garlic butter sauce. The key is searing the chicken to lock in juices, carefully cooking the garlic to avoid bitterness, and emulsifying the sauce with cold butter for a glossy finish.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts about 6 oz each
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional

Equipment

  • Large Skillet
  • Paper towels
  • Measuring spoons
  • Measuring cups
  • Knife
  • Cutting board
  • Spatula
  • Tongs

Method
 

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season with salt and pepper.
  2. Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken breasts and cook for 5-7 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
  3. Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: Reduce heat to medium. Add 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for about 1 minute, or until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  4. Deglaze the Pan: Pour in chicken broth and lemon juice. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until slightly reduced.
  5. Finish the Sauce: Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter until melted and emulsified. Add chopped parsley.
  6. Combine and Serve: Return the chicken breasts to the skillet and coat them with the garlic butter sauce. Serve immediately, spooning extra sauce over the chicken. Serve with rice, pasta, or roasted vegetables.

Notes

For best results, use cold butter to emulsify the sauce at the end. Be careful not to burn the garlic; cook it gently until fragrant. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also add a splash of white wine to the sauce for extra flavor.