Go Back

Garlic Butter Chicken

Garlic butter chicken with pan-seared, golden chicken breasts and a glossy garlic-butter sauce. Minced garlic cooks until fragrant, then you simmer it with chicken broth and spoon the buttery pan sauce over the chicken.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken breasts and seasoning
  • 4 boneless chicken breasts Pounded lightly for even cooking if needed.
  • 1 salt and pepper Season generously; amount to taste.
Garlic butter sauce
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 6 tbsp butter
  • 8 garlic cloves, minced Minced for visible garlic pieces in the sauce.
  • 0.5 cup chicken broth
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 lemon juice Add to taste at the end.

Equipment

  • 1 cast iron skillet

Method
 

Season and sear the chicken
  1. Season the chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper to coat evenly.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken for 6-7 minutes per side until golden and cooked through to 165°F.
  3. Remove the chicken and set aside on a plate while you make the sauce.
Make the garlic butter sauce
  1. Reduce the heat to medium, then add the butter and garlic to the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and lightly sizzling.
  2. Add the chicken broth and dried thyme, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, then simmer for 2-3 minutes.
Finish and serve
  1. Return the chicken to the pan, spoon the sauce over the top so it swims in the garlic butter.
  2. Add lemon juice and chopped parsley, then serve immediately.

Notes

Pro tip: Use the pan drippings—browned bits are flavor—when you add the broth. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3 days; rewarm gently in a skillet over low heat. Freezing is not recommended because the garlic butter sauce can separate. For a dairy swap, use a plant-based butter substitute in equal amounts.