Amazing 15-Minute Garlic Knot Chicken

If you are dreaming of that incredible, savory flavor explosion of garlic knots but you need dinner on the table in under fifteen minutes, then you absolutely must try my garlic knot chicken recipe! I’m Anna, and I live for finding those simple, flavorful chicken recipes that turn a chaotic weeknight into something joyful and delicious. Honestly, mastering the quick weeknight meal is my superpower. I’ve tested countless skillet dinners, and this one is my absolute favorite for when I want maximum flavor with minimal fuss.

We’re talking tender chicken cutlets bathed in a rich, garlicky butter sauce that tastes just like your favorite Italian breadsticks. No complicated steps, no endless simmering—just pure, buttery goodness that everyone in the family will devour. Trust me, once you have this down, it will become your go-to for busy evenings when you still want to feel like you cooked something special. It’s that good!

Gathering What You Need for Garlic Knot Chicken

Since this recipe moves so fast—seriously, we’re talking 10 minutes of actual cooking time—you need to have everything prepped and ready to go before that skillet even hits the heat. Don’t worry, the prep is super minimal, but organization is key here! We need our chicken ready, our garlic minced, and all those beautiful, flavorful fats measured out.

Gathering your components beforehand means you can focus entirely on getting that perfect golden sear on the chicken and not scrambling for the parsley when the garlic starts to sizzle.

Ingredients for Your Garlic Knot Chicken

Here’s what you’ll need for four servings of this amazing buttery garlic chicken:

Amount	Ingredient
2 tablespoons	olive oil
6 tablespoons	unsalted butter, divided
4 chicken cutlets (about 1 1/2 pounds total, 1/2 inch thick)	chicken
1 teaspoon	kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon	black pepper
4 garlic cloves	minced garlic cloves
1/4 cup	finely chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup	grated Parmesan cheese
Lemon wedges	for serving

Essential Equipment for This Garlic Knot Chicken Recipe

You don’t need a million gadgets for this quick chicken dinner, but a couple of things are non-negotiable. You definitely need a good, large, heavy-bottomed skillet—one that holds heat well for that initial sear. Also, please, please grab your instant-read meat thermometer. We are aiming for 165 degrees Fahrenheit, and there’s no better way to guarantee juicy chicken without guessing than using one of those!

Step-by-Step Guide to Perfect Garlic Knot Chicken

Okay, now that everything is laid out, this part flies by! We are moving fast, so keep your focus sharp. The goal here is perfectly cooked chicken that stays juicy, followed by a blast of fragrant garlic butter.

Preparing and Searing the Chicken Cutlets

Grab your large skillet and set it over medium-high heat. We need that pan hot! Add your olive oil and two tablespoons of that lovely unsalted butter. Let that melt together until it’s shimmering a bit. While that’s heating up, take your four chicken cutlets and pat them completely dry with paper towels. This is non-negotiable if you want that gorgeous golden crust!

Season them generously on both sides with your kosher salt and black pepper. Don’t be shy; they need that flavor before they hit the heat. Carefully place the cutlets in the hot skillet. You should hear a satisfying sizzle right away! Cook them for about three to four minutes per side. You’re looking for a deep, beautiful golden-brown color on the outside. But the real test is the inside!

Use your meat thermometer to check the thickest part of the cutlet. We must hit 165 degrees Fahrenheit internally. Once they hit that magic number, pull them out immediately and transfer them right onto a clean plate. If you leave them in the pan even a second too long, they’ll dry out on you. Set them aside while we build our sauce.

Creating the Signature Garlic Butter Sauce for Garlic Knot Chicken

This is where the “garlic knot” magic happens, but you have to be gentle! Take the skillet completely off the heat source. Yes, remove it from the burner! If you try to cook the garlic on residual heat, it will burn instantly, and bitter garlic ruins everything. Add the remaining four tablespoons of butter to the warm skillet. Stir it around until it’s fully melted into a pool of liquid gold.

Now, add your four minced garlic cloves. Stir constantly—I mean *constantly*—for about one full minute. You want that raw, sharp garlic smell to mellow out into something fragrant and nutty. If you see the garlic starting to turn brown, you’ve gone too far, so pull it back immediately. The low heat ensures the butter absorbs all that amazing flavor without scorching the garlic.

Finishing Your Garlic Knot Chicken

Once the garlic smells perfect, put the skillet back on low heat, or just keep it off the heat if your pan retains a lot of warmth. Return your seared chicken cutlets and any juices that collected on the plate back into the pan. Gently toss everything around so the chicken gets coated in that garlicky butter mixture. It should only take about 30 seconds.

Next, grab half of your finely chopped fresh parsley and sprinkle it over everything. Toss again just to distribute that bright green color. Finally, sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese and the rest of that fresh parsley over the top of the chicken pieces. Give it one last gentle stir to make sure everything is beautifully coated. Serve this right away with a bright squeeze of lemon juice over the top for a little zing!

Tips for Getting Your Garlic Knot Chicken Just Right

Even though this is a super fast recipe, a couple of little tricks can take it from good to absolutely restaurant-worthy. My goal is always to make sure you get that tender, juicy inside every single time you make this quick chicken dinner. Don’t let the speed fool you; these details matter!

Ingredient Notes and Smart Substitutions

Let’s talk about that parsley first. If you don’t have fresh parsley on hand—and I know sometimes we run out—you can absolutely use dried flakes. Just remember, dried herbs are much stronger! Use about one tablespoon of dried parsley flakes, and toss those in right alongside the garlic in step three. Don’t add them later, or the flavor won’t infuse the butter correctly.

Also, if you bought whole chicken breasts instead of cutlets, don’t stress. Just slice those breasts in half horizontally to create thinner pieces, aiming for that half-inch thickness. This ensures they cook quickly and evenly, which is vital for this 15 minute meal. If you skip thinning them, they’ll take way too long to reach 165°F!

Serving Suggestions for Your Garlic Knot Chicken

Because this buttery garlic chicken is naturally low in carbs, it pairs wonderfully with lots of fresh, bright sides. My favorite thing to serve alongside it is a big bowl of steamed asparagus tossed with just a little salt and pepper. Or, if you want something heartier but still light, try some zucchini noodles tossed in olive oil. If you are looking for other quick dinner ideas, check out my delicious one-pan dinner options!

If you aren’t strictly sticking to low-carb, this chicken is phenomenal spooned over angel hair pasta—just remember to reserve some of that amazing pan sauce to coat the noodles! A simple side salad with a vinaigrette also cuts through the richness of the butter perfectly. For more ways to use chicken breasts, see my tips on baked chicken breasts juicy tips.

Frequently Asked Questions About Garlic Knot Chicken

I get so many questions about how to speed this up or change it up slightly. It’s designed to be flexible, but there are a few things you need to know to keep that fantastic flavor profile intact. Remember, the whole point is making your everyday cooking easier and more joyful!

How long does it take to make this quick chicken dinner?

This is truly one of my favorite things about this recipe! From the moment you start prepping to the second you serve it, you are looking at about 15 minutes total. The prep takes maybe five minutes—just patting the chicken dry and chopping herbs. The actual cooking time in the skillet is only about 10 minutes. It’s the perfect quick chicken dinner when you realize at 5:30 PM that you haven’t planned anything! If you are interested in more quick meals, you can find inspiration on my Pinterest page.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of cutlets for this buttery garlic chicken?

Oh, yes, you absolutely can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs! They are fantastic because they have a bit more fat, which means they stay incredibly moist. However, thighs are thicker than the thin cutlets we use here, so you need to adjust your cooking time. Make sure you sear them on medium heat for about 5 to 7 minutes per side until the internal temperature hits that safe 165°F. Since they are fattier, they can handle the lower heat needed for the garlic infusion better.

Storing and Leftovers for Garlic Knot Chicken

Even though this garlic knot chicken is so good you’ll probably want to eat it all right away, it’s great to know how to save some for lunch the next day! Since we are dealing with butter and garlic, we need to handle leftovers carefully to keep them safe and tasty. Always make sure the chicken has cooled down a bit before tucking it away.

The key to reheating this is low and slow to melt that garlic butter back into the chicken without drying it out. Never try to blast it in the microwave on high power! Keep the sauce and chicken together for the best flavor.

Storage/Reheating	Instructions
Storage	Place cooled chicken and sauce in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Reheating (Stovetop)	Heat remaining butter/oil in a skillet over low heat. Add chicken and cover for 3-4 minutes until warmed through.
Reheating (Microwave)	Heat on 50% power in short 30-second bursts, stirring between each burst to ensure even warming.

Sharing Your Experience with Garlic Knot Chicken

I truly hope this recipe makes one of your weeknights a little easier and a lot more flavorful! When you try this quick chicken dinner, I’d love to hear what you thought. Did you use fresh lemon or stick to the Parmesan finish? Drop a rating below or leave a comment telling me how your buttery garlic chicken turned out!

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