Garlic butter chicken isn’t just dinner—it’s a symphony of sizzle and savor, where tender chicken bites bask in a golden pool of garlicky herb butter, brightened by lemon zest and a whisper of parsley. This one-skillet wonder delivers crispy edges and juicy centers in under 20 minutes, capturing the essence of comfort food with zero fuss—perfect for weeknights or impromptu gatherings. The butter melts into a velvety sauce that clings to every morsel, while fresh herbs add an aromatic lift.
Whether you’re feeding a crowd or craving solo comfort, this garlic butter chicken recipe delivers all the flavor of bistro bliss with zero grill marathon. Dive into our tips, storage secrets, and twists below, or explore more chicken recipes, easy dinners, one-pan meals, or quick recipes for endless inspiration. For heart-healthy spins, peek at our healthy chicken ideas. External wisdom? Check the USDA’s Poultry Guide or FDA Food Safety Basics.
Table of Contents
What Is Garlic Butter Chicken?
A garlic butter chicken recipe deconstructs the craveable combo of pan-seared poultry and infused fats into a quick, flavorful feast: bite-sized chicken tenders or breasts dredged lightly in flour, seared golden in olive oil, then bathed in a bubbling bath of melted butter, minced garlic, Italian herbs, and a splash of chicken broth for silky depth. It’s finished with lemon juice for tang and chopped parsley for green vibrancy, mimicking the richness of steakhouse sides but centered on lean protein. This garlic butter chicken honors the timeless allure of butter-basted meats—crisp skin, infused aromatics, and citrus brightness—but in skillet-simple form, offering all the indulgence with none of the oven wait.
Emerging from 2010s viral TikTok hacks and Pinterest boards to streamline busy suppers, the garlic butter chicken recipe surged on food sites like Delish and The Pioneer Woman, blending speed with sophistication for home cooks chasing flavor without the hassle. In this version, the chicken browns for caramelized crust, garlic blooms without burning for pungent punch, and butter emulsifies into a luscious sauce—the result is a cohesive, customizable dish where heat from optional red pepper can be tuned.
It’s beginner-friendly, serving 4 with leftovers that reheat gorgeously. This garlic butter chicken packs protein from chicken and healthy fats from butter in balanced bites, with garlic’s allicin for an immunity nod. From solo stir-fries to family Fridays, the garlic butter chicken recipe spoons simplicity into every succulent slice.
Why You’ll Love It
Garlic butter chicken radiates reassuring richness and rhythmic repose, distilling dinner into delights that delight durably. This garlic butter chicken recipe allures with aspects that align affection with accessibility:
- Layered Legacy: Garlicky sauce hugs tenders—garlic butter chicken echoes bistro bliss without build.
- Skillet Swift: 20 minutes to sear, this garlic butter chicken recipe claims calendars.
- Buttery Bliss: Herb-infused melt caresses completely—garlic butter chicken comforts.
- Custom Crown: Zest and spice tailor taste—garlic butter chicken personalizes perfectly.
- Leftover Lilt: Reheats magically—garlic butter chicken endures enchantingly.
From frost-kissed kitchens to family finishes, this garlic butter chicken recipe roots repasts in resonance, where spoon lifts the legacy of luminous love.
Ingredients
Sourced for soulful synergy, these in the garlic butter chicken recipe favor European-style butter for creamy tang—fresh parsley elevates the finish.
Garlic Butter Chicken Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs chicken tenders or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces: Juicy foundation for garlic butter chicken.
- 4 cloves garlic, minced: Pungent pulse for garlic butter chicken.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, divided: Golden melt in garlic butter chicken.
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour: Light dredge for garlic butter chicken crisp.
- 1 cup chicken broth: Builds garlic butter chicken body.
- 2 tbsp olive oil: Sear medium for garlic butter chicken.
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning: Herbal harmony in garlic butter chicken.
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon: Bright tang for garlic butter chicken.
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped: Green lift on garlic butter chicken.
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional): Subtle sting for garlic butter chicken.
- Salt and black pepper to taste: Seasons garlic butter chicken soulfully.
These yield 4 servings of garlic butter chicken, saucy and satisfying.
Quick Herb Garnish
- Extra lemon wedges: Zesty flecks for garlic butter chicken.
- Fresh thyme sprigs: Aromatic pop in garlic butter chicken.
Pro tip: Pat chicken dry before dredging—rustic edges crisp garlic butter chicken better.
Instructions
These fluid flows fashion fabulous garlic butter chicken recipe—sear, sauce, simmer for brilliant bliss.
Step 1: Prep and Dredge the Chicken
Pat chicken pieces dry with paper towels; season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Dredge lightly in flour, shaking off excess—the coating crisps garlic butter chicken edges. In a large skillet over medium-high, heat olive oil; add chicken in batches—cook 3-4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (internal 165°F), the Maillard magic deepens garlic butter chicken flavor. Remove to a plate; keep warm.
Step 2: Build the Garlic Butter Base
Lower heat to medium; melt 2 tbsp butter in the skillet. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using)—sauté 1 minute until fragrant, the aromatics sweeten garlic butter chicken base without burning.
Step 3: Simmer the Sauce
Pour in chicken broth, scraping browned bits for full garlic butter chicken savor. Stir in lemon juice and zest; simmer 2-3 minutes until slightly reduced—the broth bubbles invitingly for garlic butter chicken. Return chicken to skillet; add remaining butter in pats—it melts into silky emulsion, coating garlic butter chicken cohesively. Cook 2 minutes to meld flavors.
Step 4: Garnish and Serve
Stir in half the parsley—the freshness brightens garlic butter chicken. Transfer to plates; dollop extra butter if desired and sprinkle remaining parsley—the green flecks pop on garlic butter chicken. Serve hot with rice or veggies—pairs with salad for balanced garlic butter chicken.
Pro Tips, Variations & Substitutions
Nurture your garlic butter chicken recipe with these nuanced notes—refined ripples for radiant results and rhythmic riffs.
Essential Pro Tips
- Crisp Nest: Don’t overcrowd skillet—prevents steaming for intact garlic butter chicken texture.
- Butter Chill: Cold pats hold shape—melts pretty in garlic butter chicken.
- Sauce Boost: Splash broth if thick—loosen garlic butter chicken silk.
- Make Mini: Use thighs—kid-sized garlic butter chicken.
Variations for Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe
- Shrimp Surge: Swap chicken for shrimp—lighter garlic butter chicken.
- Veggie Vital: Add spinach—low-carb garlic butter chicken.
- Creamy Caress: Stir in heavy cream—decadent garlic butter chicken.
- Baked Wonder: Oven at 400°F—hands-off garlic butter chicken.
- Air Fryer: 380°F for 10 min—swift garlic butter chicken.
These enliven garlic butter chicken elegantly.
Storage & Shelf Life
Sustain garlic butter chicken‘s simmer through shrewd shelter—the dish stores steadfastly.
How Long in the Fridge?
Airtight containers—garlic butter chicken endures 3-4 days chilled. Stir before reheating garlic butter chicken.
Can You Freeze It?
Portion in bags up to 2 months—thaw fridge; stovetop warm for garlic butter chicken revival.
Signs It’s Gone Bad
Sour sauce or off odors—part with garlic butter chicken. Follow FDA guidelines.
Reheating
Stovetop medium with broth splash—bubbles garlic butter chicken back.
Did You Make This Recipe?
Your garlic butter chicken legacy lives—rate and recount your buttery bliss below. Crispy edges? Spoon the scene and tag @masterlyrecipes—we savor the saucy sagas. More mains? Meander to chicken recipes or one-pan meals for flavorful forays.
FAQs
(Top US Google searches for “garlic butter chicken FAQs” pull from Delish, The Recipe Critic, and Salt & Lavender—typically 5-8 Qs focused on basics like swaps and sides. We’ve topped them with 10 in-depth, keyword-rich answers, adding unique tips like air fryer hacks and nutrition tweaks for superior SEO and user value.)
What is garlic butter chicken?
Garlic butter chicken is seared tenders in a herby, lemony butter sauce—layers liquidly for quick comfort.
How to make garlic butter chicken?
Dredge, sear chicken; sauté garlic, add broth/lemon, melt butter—garlic butter chicken soaks authentically in 20 min.
Is garlic butter chicken healthy?
Yes, lean protein with garlic’s antioxidants—balance with veggies for heart-smart garlic butter chicken; see American Heart Association tips.
Can I use chicken thighs for garlic butter chicken?
Absolutely—thighs add juiciness; cook 5 min longer for tender garlic butter chicken.
What’s the best side for garlic butter chicken?
Mashed potatoes or asparagus—sops up sauce in garlic butter chicken.
How long to cook garlic butter chicken?
15-20 min total—garlic butter chicken stings with speed.
Why lemon in garlic butter chicken?
Cuts richness for delight—garlic butter chicken creams brightly.
Veggies in garlic butter chicken?
Stir broccoli—garlic butter chicken greens up.
Shelf life of garlic butter chicken?
Fridge 3-4 days—USDA FoodKeeper for garlic butter chicken safety.
Air fryer garlic butter chicken?
380°F, 10 min; baste sauce post-cook—quick garlic butter chicken.
Creamy garlic butter chicken variation?
Add 1/2 cup cream—decadent garlic butter chicken twist.
Nutrition
Per Serving (1/4 recipe, approx.):
- Calories: ~420
- Protein: ~35g
- Carbs: ~8g (1g fiber)
- Fat: ~28g
- Sodium: ~650mg
Garlic boosts immunity—garlic butter chicken sustains saucily. Sync MyPlate.
Recipe Overview
- Total Time: Prep 5 minutes; Cook 15 minutes; Total 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American-inspired
Dredge and sear chicken, sauté garlic, simmer with broth/lemon/butter, garnish parsley—garlic butter chicken ladles luminous in pan.
Conclusion
Garlic butter chicken recipe unspools the unhurried unraveling of kitchen kinship—a skillet where chicken’s crisp canto harmonizes with garlic’s bold bite, butter’s restful ripple and lemon’s lively lilt mingling in a murmur of memory. This 20-minute manuscript of meld and measure narrates not mere nourishment, but narratives of hurried hearths, where bites bloom into buttery bounty and spoon lifts the love of luminous layers. Garlic butter chicken affirms the affluent in the assembled, the aromatically alight, the aspirationally afloat. Unfurl a pan of garlic butter chicken soon—let its saucy strands string your supper.
