Garlic Butter Chicken

Introduction

Garlic butter chicken is an easy and incredibly flavorful dish that will quickly become your go-to dinner recipe. Bursting with a buttery, garlic-infused sauce, this meal has all the comforting flavors of a classic chicken recipe while being quick to prepare. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or whenever you want a meal that is simple yet indulgent. Let’s dive into the steps, time, and everything you need to make this delicious dish a hit in your kitchen!

Detailed Ingredients with Measures

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

1 ½ pounds

Olive oil

2 tablespoons

Butter

3 tablespoons

Garlic cloves, minced

4 large

Chicken broth

1/3 cup

Fresh lemon juice

1 ½ tablespoons

Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon

Salt and pepper

To taste

Fresh parsley, for garnish

Optional

Prep Time

Preparing garlic butter chicken is as simple as it is quick. You’ll need about 10 to 15 minutes of preparation time to gather and prep the ingredients. This includes mincing your garlic, seasoning the chicken, and ensuring all components are ready for cooking.

Cook Time, Total Time, Yield

The cook time takes approximately 15 minutes, with the chicken searing to golden perfection and the garlic butter sauce simmering to bring out its savory richness.

Altogether, your total time for this recipe will hover around 30 minutes. This makes it an excellent option for anyone looking to create a flavorful home-cooked meal in less than an hour.

The yield typically serves four people, but it can be easily adjusted based on your household size. To make more servings, simply increase the quantities of the ingredients proportionally.

Garlic butter chicken is a dish that’s sure to please everyone at the dinner table. With its rich, buttery garlic flavor and tender, juicy chicken, it’s perfect paired with vegetables, mashed potatoes, or pasta. Once you’ve made this simple yet decadent recipe, it is bound to become a staple in your weeknight dinner rotation!
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Detailed Directions and Instructions

Step 1: Preparing the Chicken

– Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness to ensure even cooking. Trim any fat if necessary.
– Season both sides of the chicken breasts generously with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.

Step 2: Prepping Garlic and Butter

– Mince the garlic cloves finely or use a garlic press to achieve a smooth texture.
– In a small bowl, combine the minced garlic with the butter to make garlic butter. Ensure the butter is softened to mix properly.

Step 3: Cooking the Chicken

– Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil.
– Once the skillet is hot, add the chicken breasts. Cook for about 5-6 minutes on the first side without flipping to achieve a good sear.
– Flip the chicken and cook for another 5-7 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Step 4: Adding Garlic Butter

– Once the chicken is nearly cooked, reduce the heat to medium.
– Add the garlic butter mixture to the skillet and spread evenly around the chicken. Allow the butter to melt and coat the chicken.

Step 5: Simmering for Flavor

– Spoon the melted garlic butter sauce over the chicken while it continues to cook for 1-2 minutes.
– Contact between the butter and the chicken will enhance the flavors and create a rich sauce.

Step 6: Resting the Chicken

– Turn off the heat and let the chicken rest in the skillet for 5 minutes.
– Resting allows the juices to redistribute and the flavor to intensify.

Step 7: Serving

– Plate the chicken along with the garlic butter sauce drizzled over the top.
– Optionally garnish with chopped fresh parsley for added flavor and presentation.

Notes

Cooking Temperature

– Make sure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F to ensure safe consumption.

Butter Substitute

– You can use ghee or margarine in place of butter if preferred.

Choose the Right Skillet

– Use a heavy-bottomed skillet, such as cast iron, for even cooking and optimal searing.

Leftovers

– Store leftover chicken in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
– Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat to prevent drying out.

Customization

– Add red chili flakes to the garlic butter for a spicy kick.
– Use other seasonings like thyme, rosemary, or Italian seasoning for a twist on flavors.
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Cook techniques

Pan-Searing the Chicken

To achieve a flavorful crust on your chicken, it’s important to pan-sear it first. Ensure your skillet or pan is well-heated before adding the chicken to get that golden-brown texture.

Controlling Cooking Heat

Start cooking over medium-high heat when searing, then adjust to a lower heat once the chicken is finished searing. This ensures the chicken cooks evenly without burning.

Cooking the Sauce

After removing the chicken, use the same skillet to prepare the garlic butter sauce. Deglazing the pan with butter and other ingredients will incorporate all the residual flavors.

Timing the Garlic

Add minced garlic toward the end of making the sauce to prevent it from burning. Garlic can scorch quickly, so be attentive.

Butter Incorporation

Always add butter to the pan on low heat to avoid separating or browning the butter unintentionally.

Simmering

Once the sauce is combined, allow it to simmer briefly with the cooked chicken to marry the flavors of the dish.

FAQ

Can I use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes, chicken thighs are a great alternative, as they remain tender and juicy. However, cooking times may vary slightly.

What’s the best skillet to use for this recipe?

A cast iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan works best for this recipe. They retain heat well, ensuring an even sear on the chicken.

Can I double the sauce recipe?

Absolutely, you can double the sauce ingredients if you want extra for serving or to coat additional sides like pasta or rice.

How do I avoid burning the garlic?

Add garlic toward the end of cooking the sauce and keep the heat at a lower temperature to prevent scorching.

Can I add additional seasonings?

Feel free to customize with other herbs and spices such as thyme, rosemary, or paprika to suit your taste preferences.

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

If using salted butter, reduce the amount of added salt in the recipe to avoid an overly salty dish.

What should I serve with garlic butter chicken?

This dish pairs well with pasta, rice, steamed vegetables, or crusty bread to soak up the sauce.

How do I store leftovers?

Store leftover chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently to avoid overcooking.

Can I make this dish dairy-free?

To make this recipe dairy-free, substitute the butter with a non-dairy alternative like vegan butter or olive oil.

Conclusion

The Garlic Butter Chicken recipe is an incredibly comforting and flavorful meal that’s quick and easy to prepare, making it perfect for busy weeknights or a satisfying family dinner. The combination of tender chicken coated in a rich, buttery garlic sauce is sure to please your taste buds, while still being simple enough to customize with your favorite sides or seasonings. This dish strikes the perfect balance of being both indulgent and versatile, making it a great addition to your recipe collection.

More recipes suggestions and combination

Lemon Rosemary Chicken

Consider adding fresh rosemary and a squeeze of lemon juice to create a zesty twist. This variation will add more herbal freshness and citrus brightness to the dish.

Garlic Butter Shrimp

Swap out chicken for shrimp if you’re craving seafood. The buttery garlic sauce pairs beautifully with plump, juicy shrimp for a coastal-inspired meal.

Mushroom Garlic Butter Chicken

Add sautéed mushrooms to the recipe for a hearty, earthy flavor. The mushrooms soak up the sauce beautifully, making this combination irresistible.

Garlic Butter Chicken with Spinach

Throw in some fresh spinach during the final stages of cooking for a nutrient-packed, vibrant green addition. The spinach wilts perfectly in the buttery garlic sauce.

Garlic Butter Pasta with Chicken

Serve the garlic butter chicken over a bed of your favorite cooked pasta for a carb-loving comfort dish. The pasta absorbs the sauce, adding a delightful texture to the meal.

Cheesy Garlic Butter Chicken

Sprinkle mozzarella, Parmesan, or your favorite cheese on top before serving. The melted, gooey cheese elevates the dish to a whole new level.

Garlic Butter Chicken with Asparagus

Pair the chicken with sautéed or roasted asparagus for a fresh, crisp complement to the meal. This is a great option for springtime flavors.

Garlic Butter Chicken over Rice

Serve the dish over steamed white or brown rice to soak up the delicious sauce and turn it into a complete, filling meal.

Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken

Add red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce to the dish for a kick of heat that complements the rich garlic butter sauce beautifully.