Ingredients
Scale
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts pounded to an even thickness (4 average-sized breasts)
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon garlic finely minced
- 2 teaspoons fresh parsley optional for garnishing
Instructions
- Heat the oil and season the chicken: Start by heating 3 tablespoons of olive oil in your skillet over medium-high heat. Meanwhile, season both sides of the pounded chicken breasts with paprika, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Pro tip: Don’t skimp on the seasoning—it’s what gives the chicken its flavor!
- Sear the chicken: Place the chicken in the hot oil and let it sear for about 5 minutes on each side. The key here is not to move the chicken around too much—let it sit to get that beautiful golden crust. If your chicken breasts are thicker, you might need to cook them a little longer (trust your instincts here).
- Rest the chicken: Once the chicken is cooked through, transfer it to a plate and let it rest. This gives the juices time to redistribute, keeping the meat tender.
- Deglaze the pan: Now for the fun part—deglazing! Pour the chicken broth (or wine) into the skillet. Use a spatula to scrape up all those delicious brown bits stuck to the bottom. This is where the flavor lives!
- Make the garlic butter sauce: Add 3 tablespoons of butter and stir until it’s melted. Then, throw in the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute, just until fragrant. You don’t want to burn the garlic, so keep an eye on it.
- Bring it all together: Turn off the heat and return the chicken to the skillet. Spoon the garlic butter sauce over the chicken until it’s fully coated. Garnish with fresh parsley if you’re feeling fancy, and serve immediately.
Notes
Serving suggestions: Make it a meal!
This Garlic Butter Chicken is a star on its own, but if you want to round out the meal, here’s how I usually serve it.
- Over pasta: The garlic butter sauce is so good, you’ll want something to soak it up. I love pairing this with angel hair pasta or linguine.
- With veggies: Steamed broccoli, green beans, or a fresh garden salad are great sides to balance out the richness of the sauce.
- Crusty bread: This is a must. There’s nothing better than mopping up that extra sauce with some warm, crusty bread.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch