Best garlic butter chicken: 15 min miracle

If you’re staring into your fridge at 5 PM wondering how you’ll get a flavorful dinner on the table without ordering takeout again, stop right there! I’m Anna, and as a passionate food lover, I live to share simple, flavorful chicken recipes that make everyday cooking easier and more joyful. Forget complicated marinades and hours of chopping. We are talking about the Best garlic butter chicken, a total lifesaver that comes together in one skillet in about 15 minutes total. Yes, you read that right! This is the recipe you’ll turn to when you need something truly delicious, tender, and satisfying without the cleanup nightmare. Get ready for juicy chicken smothered in the richest, dreamiest garlic butter sauce!

Why You Will Love This Best Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe

When weeknights feel like a marathon, you need a recipe that always delivers without asking for too much in return. This Best garlic butter chicken isn’t just fast; it’s genuinely impressive. I’ve tested this dozens of times, and it never fails to produce perfectly cooked chicken. Trust me, once you try this simple technique, you’ll be making it every week. You deserve meals that taste gourmet but take minimal effort!

Speed and Simplicity

• This entire meal, from start to finish, is ready in about 15 minutes of active cooking time.
• Because it’s all made in one skillet, cleanup is unbelievably fast—just a quick wash after dinner!
• There’s no fancy technique required; if you can sear chicken, you can master this recipe.

Incredible Flavor Profile

• The chicken breasts come out impossibly tender and juicy because we pound them evenly and let them rest properly.
• That sauce? It’s pure savory magic! The deglazed chicken broth mixed with fresh butter and pungent garlic creates a rich coating for the meat.
• We use poultry seasoning for a little extra depth, but the star is always that beautiful, fragrant garlic butter.

Reliability for Busy Cooks

• I’ve made this for dinner parties and for myself on a Tuesday night when I’m exhausted, and it’s always a winner.
• The instructions are clear, and the timing is precise, meaning you don’t have to guess if the chicken is done.
• It’s the perfect foundation; you can easily double the sauce if you plan on serving it over rice or pasta!

Equipment Needed for Best Garlic Butter Chicken

You don’t need a cupboard full of gadgets for this one, which is part of the charm of the Best garlic butter chicken! We keep things super simple here. Having the right tools just makes the 15 minutes fly by smoothly.

Skillet Selection

Grab your largest, heavy-bottomed skillet. You need space! If the chicken pieces are crowded, they steam instead of searing, and we absolutely need that beautiful golden crust we talked about earlier.

Essential Tools

Make sure you have these handy before you start heating the oil:

• A reliable instant-read meat thermometer—this is non-negotiable for safety and perfect juiciness!
• A sturdy cutting board and a sharp knife for mincing that garlic.
• Tongs for safely flipping the chicken during the sear.

Ingredients for Your Best Garlic Butter Chicken

Gathering your ingredients first is the secret to making the Best garlic butter chicken in under 15 minutes. Since the cook time is so fast, you can’t be stopping to measure things mid-sear! We need clear measurements for the chicken itself and everything that goes into that amazing pan sauce.

Chicken Preparation Details

You’ll need about a pound and a half of boneless, skinless chicken breasts. The most important prep step is pounding them to an even thickness—aim for about ¾ inch thick all the way across. This makes sure every piece cooks uniformly so you don’t have dry ends and raw centers.

Sauce Components Clarity

For the sauce base, grab about ½ cup of chicken broth, which we use to deglaze the pan later. Then, for that pure flavor, use 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter—it melts cleaner than salted. And please, use fresh garlic! We need 1 full tablespoon, finely minced. Jarred works in a pinch, but fresh is just a different world here.

Seasoning Adjustments

The recipe calls for 1 to 2 teaspoons of poultry seasoning, which gives it a lovely warm flavor. If you don’t have that on hand, don’t panic! You can easily make your own mix right now. Just grab a little bit of dried thyme, a sprinkle of dried rosemary, and maybe a pinch of dried sage. Mix those together, season your chicken generously, and you’re good to go.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Best Garlic Butter Chicken

Okay, this is where the magic happens! Because the Best garlic butter chicken is so fast, you have to be ready to move once the pan gets hot. Read through these steps once, get all your ingredients prepped, and then let’s get cooking. It moves quickly, but it’s so intuitive once you start.

Preparing and Searing the Chicken

First things first: pound those chicken breasts! Lay them between two pieces of plastic wrap or parchment paper and use a meat mallet or even the bottom of a heavy pan. You want them all the same thickness, about ¾ inch. This is crucial so they finish cooking at the same time.

Next, season them generously on both sides with your poultry seasoning mix, salt, and pepper. Don’t be shy here; this is where the flavor starts!

Get your large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Wait until that oil is shimmering—it should look slightly wavy. Carefully place the seasoned chicken into the hot oil. Now, here is the most important part of the sear: Do not touch them for 5 full minutes! Seriously, let them sit undisturbed. This builds that beautiful golden-brown crust that locks in the juices.

After 5 minutes, flip the chicken. Cook the second side for another 5 minutes, or until your meat thermometer reads 165°F right in the thickest part. Once they hit that temperature, pull them out immediately and set them on a clean plate to rest while you make the sauce. Don’t wipe out the pan!

Building the Savory Garlic Butter Sauce

That browned stuff stuck to the bottom of the pan? That’s flavor gold! Turn the heat down just a touch, if needed, and pour in the ½ cup of chicken broth. Let it bubble up instantly, and take a wooden spoon or spatula and scrape up all those little brown bits—that’s called deglazing, and it’s the backbone of this sauce.

Once the broth has reduced slightly, drop in your 3 tablespoons of cold butter. Stir it constantly until it melts right into the broth, creating a slightly thickened, emulsified sauce. This should take about a minute.

Now, add your 1 tablespoon of finely minced fresh garlic. Stir constantly while the garlic cooks for just about 1 minute. You want it fragrant and sweet, NOT brown or bitter. If it starts smelling sharp or burning, kill the heat immediately!

Finishing and Serving

Turn the heat completely off. Return your rested chicken breasts back into the skillet. Gently flip them over in the sauce so they get completely coated. Spoon that glorious garlic butter sauce right over the top of each piece. Don’t forget the fresh parsley garnish—it adds a pop of color and freshness that cuts through the richness.

Serve this Best garlic butter chicken immediately while the sauce is hot and glossy. It’s ready to eat!

Tips for Perfecting Your Best Garlic Butter Chicken

Even though this recipe is simple, a few key techniques separate a good pan chicken from the Best garlic butter chicken you’ll ever make. Trust me, these little details make a huge difference in texture and flavor payoff! If you want more inspiration for quick meals, check out my Pinterest page.

Achieving Uniform Thickness

I can’t stress this enough: pounding the chicken is mandatory. If you have one piece that’s an inch thick and another that’s half an inch, the thin one will be dry by the time the thick one hits 165°F. Take the extra minute to flatten them so you get that perfect, even tenderness throughout. It’s worth the effort!

Temperature and Resting

You absolutely must use a meat thermometer. Chicken breast can go from perfect to rubbery in seconds, so checking the internal temperature is the only reliable way to ensure it’s safe (165°F) but still juicy. After you pull it out, let it rest for 3 to 5 minutes before cutting into it. If you slice it right away, all those beautiful juices you worked so hard to keep inside will run out onto your plate instead of staying in the meat!

Sauce Intensity Control

If you’re serving this over a big pile of mashed potatoes or rice, you might find the sauce disappears too fast. If you know you want extra sauce, go ahead and double the butter and garlic in the sauce-making step. Just add the extra butter slowly, stirring constantly, to make sure it emulsifies nicely with the broth. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice right at the end is also a fantastic trick if you want a little brightness!

Serving Suggestions for This Skillet Chicken

Recommended Side Dishes

This rich, savory sauce begs to be soaked up by something starchy! I always serve this with creamy polenta or simple white rice. If you are keeping it lighter, a side of steamed asparagus or some quickly sautéed green beans works perfectly. The green vegetables offer a nice contrast to the richness of the garlic butter. For another easy weeknight option, try this delicious one-pan dinner idea!

Storage and Reheating Instructions

If you are lucky enough to have leftovers of this Best garlic butter chicken, storing them properly ensures they taste great later in the week. Place the chicken and any remaining sauce into an airtight container. Keep it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. When you want to eat it again, reheat it gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a tiny splash of water or broth to refresh the sauce so it doesn’t dry out.

Estimated Nutritional Information

Nutritional Data Table

Here’s a rough look at what you’re getting in one serving of this quick dinner. Remember, this is just an estimate based on the ingredients listed!

Nutrient	Amount Per Serving
Calories	294
Fat	21g
Protein	15g
Carbohydrates	6g

Share Your Experience Making This Recipe

I truly hope this quick skillet chicken saves your busy weeknights! I love hearing how this recipe works out for you. Did you try the homemade seasoning blend? Let me know how your sear turned out and leave a rating below. Happy cooking, and happy eating! If you are looking for other great chicken ideas, check out my recipe for easy creamy oven baked chicken thighs recipe.

Tips for Perfecting Your Best Garlic Butter Chicken

Even though this recipe is simple, a few key techniques separate a good pan chicken from the Best garlic butter chicken you’ll ever make. Trust me, these little details make a huge difference in texture and flavor payoff!

Achieving Uniform Thickness

I can’t stress this enough: pounding the chicken is mandatory. If you have one piece that’s an inch thick and another that’s half an inch, the thin one will be dry by the time the thick one hits 165°F. Take the extra minute to flatten them so you get that perfect, even tenderness throughout. It’s worth the effort!

Temperature and Resting

You absolutely must use a meat thermometer. Chicken breast can go from perfect to rubbery in seconds, so checking the internal temperature is the only reliable way to ensure it’s safe (165°F) but still juicy. After you pull it out, let it rest for 3 to 5 minutes before cutting into it. If you slice it right away, all those beautiful juices you worked so hard to keep inside will run out onto your plate instead of staying in the meat!

Sauce Intensity Control

If you’re serving this over a big pile of mashed potatoes or rice, you might find the sauce disappears too fast. If you know you want extra sauce, go ahead and double the butter and garlic in the sauce-making step. Just add the extra butter slowly, stirring constantly, to make sure it emulsifies nicely with the broth. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice right at the end is also a fantastic trick if you want a little brightness!

Serving Suggestions for This Skillet Chicken

Recommended Side Dishes

The real star here is that incredible garlic butter sauce, so you absolutely need something to soak it all up! I think simple starches are the best companions for this dish. Creamy mashed potatoes are classic, but quick-cooking angel hair pasta or even just some fluffy white rice work like sponges for that savory liquid. If you want something green, don’t overcomplicate it. A quick steam or sauté of broccoli florets or tender asparagus spears adds a lovely texture contrast. Just toss those greens with a tiny bit of salt and pepper, and let the chicken sauce do all the heavy flavor lifting. It’s dinner magic in under 20 minutes!

Storage and Reheating Instructions

If you are lucky enough to have leftovers of this Best garlic butter chicken, storing them properly ensures they taste great later in the week. Place the chicken and any remaining sauce into an airtight container immediately after it has cooled down a bit. You can keep these leftovers safely in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Keeping Leftovers Fresh

When you want to eat it again, I strongly recommend reheating it gently on the stovetop over low heat. Add just a tiny splash of water or extra broth to the pan when you reheat it. This helps refresh the sauce so it doesn’t dry out or get too concentrated while reheating. You can freeze leftovers too, for up to 4 months, just know the texture might change slightly when thawed! For more great chicken recipes, see my chicken recipes collection.

Estimated Nutritional Information

I always like to give everyone a little peek at the numbers, just so you know what you’re diving into with this delicious skillet dinner. Since this is a quick recipe built around chicken breast and butter, it’s packed with protein! Remember, these are estimates based on the exact measurements provided, so your results might vary slightly depending on the exact cut of chicken you use.

Nutritional Data Table

Here’s a rough look at what you’re getting in one serving of this quick dinner. It’s a great, satisfying meal that keeps the carbs low!

Nutrient	Amount Per Serving
Calories	294
Fat	21g
Protein	15g
Carbohydrates	6g

Share Your Experience Making This Recipe

I really hope this quick skillet chicken has become your new go-to recipe for busy nights! Did you manage to get that perfect golden sear? I’d be so thrilled if you left a quick rating or shared your success story below. Hearing how the Best garlic butter chicken worked for your family truly makes my day! If you enjoyed this, you might also like my garlic mozzarella chicken recipe.

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