Say hello to your new favorite easy weeknight dinner: Garlic Butter Chicken. Imagine juicy chicken breasts glistening with a luscious garlic butter sauce, a hint of white wine elevating the flavors, and the whole thing coming together in just 15 minutes. This is the kind of dish that feels both comforting and a little bit special — the sort of meal you’ll turn to again and again, whether you’re feeding your family or just treating yourself after a long day. With everyday pantry staples and a handful of fresh ingredients, Garlic Butter Chicken brings incredible flavor to your table with hardly any effort.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Garlic Butter Chicken is in its simplicity — every ingredient brings something essential to the dish, whether it’s flavor, tenderness, or just the golden glow of a perfect sear. Here’s what you’ll need and why you’ll love each one:
- Olive oil: Creates the perfect base for searing the chicken and adds a fruity depth to the finished sauce.
- Chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless, and pounded to an even thickness so they cook perfectly tender and juicy.
- 21 Salute Seasoning or poultry seasoning: A kitchen shortcut that delivers a blend of herbs and spices, adding complexity to the chicken with no fuss.
- Kosher salt: Essential for drawing out moisture and boosting all the flavors in this dish.
- Freshly ground black pepper: Offers just the right kick of warmth and sharpness to balance the creamy sauce.
- White wine (or chicken broth): Deglazes the pan, releases all those delicious browned bits, and forms the flavorful backbone of your sauce.
- Unsalted butter: The star player in the sauce, giving it its unmistakable richness and silky texture.
- Garlic: Finely minced so every bite is filled with aromatic flavor — use as much as your heart desires!
- Fresh parsley (optional): A fresh, colorful garnish that brightens up the finished Garlic Butter Chicken.
How to Make Garlic Butter Chicken
Step 1: Sear the Chicken
Get your large skillet hot and add the olive oil. Lay the pounded chicken breasts in a single layer, sprinkle them generously with your chosen seasoning blend, salt, and pepper, and then let them be! The key here is to resist the urge to move them around — you want a deep, golden crust to form, sealing in all the juiciness. After about five minutes (a minute or two longer for thicker pieces), flip them just once. This initial sear is where the flavor magic starts.
Step 2: Cook Through and Rest
Let the chicken cook undisturbed on the second side for another five minutes, or until they’re perfectly cooked through. Thicker breasts may need a couple extra minutes, but don’t keep poking or moving them — patience means better caramelization and a juicier bite! Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a plate to rest while you work on the sauce.
Step 3: Deglaze the Pan
Now for the fun part: with your pan still hot, pour in the white wine (or chicken broth). Stand back as it bubbles and steams, lifting all those gorgeous browned bits from the bottom. This quick step builds the foundation for your garlic butter sauce, so don’t skip it! Let the liquid reduce by about half, concentrating its flavor.
Step 4: Create the Garlic Butter Sauce
Add the butter and let it melt into the hot skillet, stirring constantly so it mixes evenly with the wine reduction. Once the butter is silky and bubbly, toss in the minced garlic, stirring nonstop. Just one minute is enough for the garlic to bloom and become gorgeously fragrant, bringing everything together.
Step 5: Finish With Chicken and Garnish
Turn off the heat and nestle the cooked chicken back into the skillet, flipping it so every piece is cloaked in that golden garlic butter sauce. Spoon the sauce over the top, making sure nothing goes to waste! If you’re feeling fancy, toss a little chopped parsley on top for a pop of green. Serve immediately and watch the Garlic Butter Chicken disappear.
How to Serve Garlic Butter Chicken
Garnishes
A little goes a long way when it comes to finishing touches. Fresh parsley is my go-to: it adds a dash of color and a hit of freshness that cuts through the richness of the garlic butter sauce. If you love citrus, a squeeze of fresh lemon over the top right before serving works wonders for balancing flavors and making everything pop.
Side Dishes
Garlic Butter Chicken plays well with almost anything! I love serving it over a big pile of fluffy mashed potatoes or a mound of buttery rice to soak up every last drop of sauce. For something lighter, try tender-crisp green beans or a crisp arugula salad with a tangy vinaigrette — both add a fresh contrast to the rich, saucy chicken.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re feeling a bit adventurous, slice the chicken and serve it atop garlicky pasta or fold it into a warm sandwich roll with some melty cheese for an irresistible twist. You can also dice up any leftovers and toss them into a grain bowl with quinoa, roasted veggies, and a drizzle of that leftover garlic butter sauce — so good, and not a scrap goes to waste!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Garlic Butter Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. The chicken stays wonderfully moist thanks to the buttery sauce, and the flavors only get better as they mingle.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later, this dish freezes beautifully. Simply wrap portions in foil or freezer-safe bags, making sure as much air is removed as possible. You can keep Garlic Butter Chicken in the freezer for up to four months — perfect for busy nights when you need something quick and delicious.
Reheating
When you’re ready to enjoy your leftovers, reheat gently in a skillet over low heat, spooning a bit of the sauce over the chicken to keep it moist. If the sauce has thickened up, add a splash of chicken broth or water to loosen it while the chicken warms through. The microwave works too, just be sure not to overcook and dry it out.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work perfectly and stay extra juicy. They’ll need a minute or two more in the pan, but the result is just as tasty (if not richer) than chicken breasts.
What can I use if I don’t have white wine?
Chicken broth is a fantastic substitute and still makes a wonderfully flavorful sauce. You’ll lose a bit of the complexity wine provides, but the end result is still classic Garlic Butter Chicken everyone will love.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, Garlic Butter Chicken is naturally gluten-free as long as you’re using a gluten-free chicken broth and checking your seasoning blend ingredients for hidden gluten sources.
How do I know when the chicken is cooked?
The safest method is to use a meat thermometer: the internal temperature should reach 165°F (75°C). If you don’t have one, slice into the thickest part — the chicken should be opaque and the juices should run clear.
Can I double the sauce?
Go for it! Many people love extra sauce for drizzling over potatoes, rice, or pasta. Just double the wine (or broth), butter, and garlic when making the sauce, and you’ll have plenty of that glorious garlic butter to go around.
Final Thoughts
There’s something undeniably comforting about Garlic Butter Chicken. It’s quick enough for a last-minute dinner but special enough to feel like a treat — and that incredible sauce just begs to be sopped up with something delicious. I hope you give this easy recipe a try soon; once you taste it, you’ll understand why it’s one of my absolute favorites!
PrintGarlic Butter Chicken Recipe
Tender, juicy chicken bathed in a rich garlic butter sauce with a splash of wine, creating a flavorful dish that is quick and easy to make.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 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
Garlic Butter Sauce:
- ½ cup white wine* or chicken broth, or as necessary
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, or more for extra sauce
- 1 tablespoon garlic, finely minced, or to taste
- 2 teaspoons fresh parsley, optional for garnishing
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet, season chicken with seasoning, salt, and pepper, then sear for 5 minutes per side until golden.
- Cook Chicken: Cook chicken for an additional 5 minutes on the second side until cooked through; set aside to rest.
- Deglaze Skillet: Add wine or broth to the skillet, allowing the liquid to bubble up. Add butter and garlic, cooking until fragrant.
- Combine: Return chicken to the skillet, coat in garlic butter sauce, and garnish with parsley.
- Serve: Optionally garnish with parsley and serve hot.
Notes
- Wine: White wine enhances flavor, but broth can be used as an alternative.
- Storage: Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze 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
