Get ready to fall in love with Garlic Butter Chicken, a speedy yet utterly decadent dish that delivers tender chicken breasts in a luxurious, garlicky butter sauce with a splash of wine. Each bite offers a burst of savory flavor, perfect for busy weeknights when you crave something big on taste but short on prep time. It’s honestly the kind of meal you’ll be inspired to make again and again, whether you’re cooking just for yourself or treating the whole family!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Garlic Butter Chicken proves that a handful of everyday ingredients can transform into something show-stopping on your plate. Each element is essential—bringing out juicy texture, mouthwatering aromas, and a golden finish that’s truly irresistible.
- Olive Oil: Adds robust flavor and ensures the chicken sears to a beautiful golden crust.
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: Pounding helps them cook evenly and stay wonderfully juicy.
- 21 Salute Seasoning or Poultry Seasoning: Infuses every bite with aromatic herbs and a punch of flavor.
- Kosher Salt: Essential for bringing all the flavors together and enhancing natural savoriness.
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Balances the richness of the butter and gives a gentle kick.
- White Wine (or Chicken Broth): Lifts the sauce, deglazes the pan, and adds bright acidity (use broth for a non-alcoholic option).
- Unsalted Butter: The hero of the sauce—melts into a silky, rich base that coats the chicken.
- Finely Minced Garlic: The heart of this dish, it releases bold, aromatic notes when sautéed in butter.
- Fresh Parsley (optional): Adds a pop of color and fresh finish just before serving.
How to Make Garlic Butter Chicken
Step 1: Sear the Chicken
Start by heating olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Lay your pounded chicken breasts flat in the hot oil, generously seasoning them with your chosen blend, kosher salt, and pepper. Let them sizzle away for about 5 minutes, undisturbed, so they develop a deep golden crust and lock in all that juicy goodness. If your chicken breasts are on the thicker side, let them sear for a couple of minutes longer.
Step 2: Cook the Other Side
Once the first side is beautifully golden, flip the chicken pieces over and leave them be for another 5 minutes—again, try not to fuss with them. This patience ensures the second side gets just as gorgeous and the inside cooks through to perfect tenderness.
Step 3: Rest the Chicken
When the chicken is fully cooked, transfer it to a plate with a slotted spatula and set aside. This quick rest is crucial—it keeps those flavorful juices inside, so you don’t lose a bit of that moisture.
Step 4: Deglaze the Pan
Carefully pour white wine (or chicken broth) into the hot skillet. Stand back a moment—the liquid will bubble up and steam dramatically, lifting up every caramelized bit stuck to the pan. This is what gives your Garlic Butter Chicken sauce such a deep flavor!
Step 5: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce
Add the unsalted butter to the bubbling pan and let it melt, stirring gently until it forms a rich base. Sprinkle in your finely minced garlic and stir for about a minute, until fragrant and golden but not burnt. The aroma at this stage is unreal!
Step 6: Combine and Finish
Turn off the heat, then nestle the chicken back into the skillet, flipping it around to soak up all that glorious garlic butter sauce. Spoon some of the sauce over the top for an extra burst of flavor. If you like, throw in a shower of fresh chopped parsley as a finishing touch before taking it straight to the table.
How to Serve Garlic Butter Chicken
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh parsley brings a pop of green to the plate, while a wedge of lemon brightens everything up with a hit of acidity. For extra flair, a dusting of cracked black pepper or even a few shavings of parmesan can transform your Garlic Butter Chicken from simple to restaurant-worthy.
Side Dishes
This dish is absolutely dreamy when served over creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy rice, or al dente pasta to soak up every bit of that magical sauce. Pair it with crisp steamed green beans, buttered broccoli, or a sparkling side salad for a balanced meal that checks every box for comfort and freshness.
Creative Ways to Present
Slice the chicken and fan it out over polenta or risotto for a rustic look, or tuck it into toasted rolls with extra sauce for an unforgettable sandwich. You can even dice leftovers and toss them with roasted veggies for a quick and satisfying grain bowl. However you choose to serve it, Garlic Butter Chicken always steals the show!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store cooled Garlic Butter Chicken in an airtight container in the fridge. It keeps its juicy flavor for up to 5 days, making it perfect for meal prep and next-day lunches—just be sure to include some of the extra sauce to keep everything deliciously moist.
Freezing
If you want to stash some away for a future meal, Garlic Butter Chicken freezes beautifully. Just place cooled chicken and sauce in a freezer-safe bag or container, removing as much air as possible before sealing. It will keep its flavor and tenderness for up to 4 months.
Reheating
For best results, gently reheat your chicken in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce if needed. If you’re in a hurry, the microwave works too—just cover the chicken and sauce to retain moisture and heat in 30-second bursts until warmed through.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs bring extra flavor and stay ultra-juicy. Just adjust the cooking time as they might take a bit longer—always make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
What kind of wine is best for the sauce?
A dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio works beautifully, as it adds bright acidity without overwhelming the delicate garlic butter flavors. If you prefer to skip alcohol, chicken broth is a great substitute.
How can I make this dish dairy-free?
Simply swap the butter for your favorite non-dairy alternative, such as vegan butter or olive oil. The texture will be slightly different, but the garlic and seasonings still shine through.
Is Garlic Butter Chicken spicy?
This recipe is flavorful but not spicy. If you want to add a bit of heat, try blending in a pinch of red pepper flakes with the seasoning while the chicken sears.
Can I double the sauce for serving?
Yes! If you’re a sauce lover (join the club), just increase the amounts of butter, garlic, and wine or broth. Pour generously over rice, pasta, or veggies so nothing goes to waste.
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready for a dinner that’s both effortless and deeply satisfying, you absolutely need to try Garlic Butter Chicken. This dish is truly greater than the sum of its parts, and it’s guaranteed to turn weeknight cooking into something special. Gather your ingredients, and let your kitchen fill with the irresistible aroma of garlic and butter!
PrintGarlic Butter Chicken Recipe
Tender, juicy chicken bathed in a rich garlic butter sauce with a splash of wine for extra flavor!! This EASY stovetop chicken recipe is ready in 15 minutes and will become a family FAVORITE!!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: 30-Minute Meals
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts pounded to an even thickness (4 average-sized breasts)
- 1 to 2 teaspoons 21 Salute Seasoning or poultry seasoning
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper or to taste
For Sauce:
- ½ cup white wine* or chicken broth or as necessary
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter or more if you want extra sauce
- 1 tablespoon garlic finely minced; or to taste
- 2 teaspoons fresh parsley optional for garnishing
Instructions
- To Sear the Chicken: To a large skillet, add the olive oil, pounded chicken, season with 21 Salute, salt, pepper, and cook over medium-high heat for 5 minutes without disturbing. Flip chicken and cook for another 5 minutes or until done.
- To Make the Sauce: Deglaze skillet with wine (or broth), add butter, melt, add garlic, cook until fragrant. Return chicken to skillet, coat with sauce, garnish with parsley, and serve.
Notes
- Wine: White wine recommended for better flavor, but broth can be substituted.
- Storage: Chicken can be stored airtight in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 4 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 294 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 2936mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 63mg
