Quick and Easy Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe

If you’re on the hunt for a simple, yet incredibly flavorful dish to make on a busy weeknight, this Quick and Easy Garlic Butter Chicken is exactly what you need. With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep, you’ll have a restaurant-quality meal ready in no time. The tender chicken coated in a rich, buttery garlic sauce is downright irresistible and will have your taste buds singing. Perfect for when you want something comforting, but don’t have a ton of time to spare.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Simple and Quick: This recipe is perfect for those busy evenings when you need dinner fast. With just 30 minutes from start to finish, it’s a meal you can easily fit into your hectic schedule.
• Incredible Flavor: The garlic butter sauce makes all the difference here, giving the chicken a mouthwatering richness that’s nothing short of amazing.
• Versatile: You can pair it with almost anything—rice, mashed potatoes, pasta, or a simple salad. It works with whatever you’ve got on hand, making it a great option for whatever you’re craving.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You won’t need much to make this dish come to life, and you might already have many of these ingredients in your kitchen!

• Chicken Breast or Thighs: Chicken breasts are lean and cook quickly, but chicken thighs offer more juiciness and flavor. Either works beautifully here.
• Butter: The key ingredient that makes this sauce so rich and flavorful. Use good-quality unsalted butter for the best results.
• Garlic: Fresh garlic is a must here. It adds a depth of flavor to the sauce and gives the dish that wonderful aroma as it cooks.
• Olive Oil: For sautéing the chicken. Olive oil adds a smoothness to the flavor, and it also helps prevent the butter from burning.
• Chicken Broth: Adds moisture and helps to create a silky-smooth sauce. You can also substitute with white wine for a slightly different flavor.
• Herbs (Parsley and Thyme): Fresh parsley gives a burst of color and freshness, while thyme adds a subtle earthiness. Feel free to adjust the herbs to your liking.
• Salt and Pepper: Just a pinch of salt and a few cracks of black pepper will elevate the dish. Don’t skip these—seasoning is key!

Variations

Looking to change things up a bit? Here are a few simple variations to give this dish a new twist:

• Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken: Add a splash of lemon juice and a sprinkle of zest for a tangy twist that brightens up the sauce.
• Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to bring some heat to the dish.
• Mushroom Lover’s Delight: Add sliced mushrooms to the garlic butter sauce for a hearty, earthy addition.
• Herb Swap: Experiment with other fresh herbs like rosemary or basil to give the dish a different flavor profile.

How to Make Quick and Easy Garlic Butter Chicken

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Start by seasoning your chicken breasts or thighs with salt and pepper on both sides. This simple step ensures that your chicken is flavorful right from the start.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken and cook for 6-7 minutes per side (for chicken breasts) or until golden brown and cooked through. If you’re using thighs, they might take a little longer. Once done, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.

Step 3: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce

In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.

Step 4: Add the Broth and Herbs

Pour in the chicken broth and stir to combine, scraping up any browned bits left from the chicken. Add the thyme and allow the sauce to simmer for 2-3 minutes, letting the flavors meld together.

Step 5: Return the Chicken to the Skillet

Place the chicken back into the skillet, spooning some of the garlic butter sauce over the top. Let it simmer for another 3-4 minutes so the chicken can absorb some of that delicious sauce.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle fresh parsley over the chicken before serving. You can also add a squeeze of lemon juice if you’re making the lemon variation. Serve immediately with your favorite side dish!

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

• Don’t Overcrowd the Skillet: If you’re making more than a couple of chicken pieces, consider cooking them in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. This ensures the chicken sears properly.
• Use Bone-In Thighs for More Flavor: If you want an even richer flavor, try using bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs. The bones help to lock in more moisture.
• Control the Garlic: If you’re a garlic lover, don’t be shy about adding extra cloves! But remember, garlic can burn quickly, so keep an eye on it when sautéing.

How to Serve

This garlic butter chicken is incredibly versatile when it comes to what you serve it with:

• Rice: Whether it’s white, brown, or even cauliflower rice, the garlic butter sauce soaks into the rice beautifully.
• Mashed Potatoes: The creamy potatoes pair perfectly with the rich garlic butter sauce, making it the ultimate comfort food combo.
• Pasta: Toss it with your favorite pasta for a luxurious, buttery meal.
• Salad: If you’re keeping it lighter, serve it over a bed of fresh greens with a simple vinaigrette.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover garlic butter chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop with a little extra chicken broth to keep it juicy.

Freezing

If you want to freeze it, let the chicken cool completely, then store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, you can microwave it or heat it on the stove. If the sauce has thickened too much in the fridge, simply add a splash of chicken broth to bring it back to its buttery consistency.

FAQs

1. Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Yes! Chicken thighs work wonderfully in this recipe and add a bit more juiciness and flavor. Just be sure to cook them a little longer than chicken breasts.

2. Can I use frozen chicken?
It’s best to use thawed chicken for even cooking. If you’re using frozen chicken, be sure to thaw it completely before cooking.

3. Can I make this recipe without butter?
While butter gives the sauce its rich flavor, you can use olive oil or a dairy-free butter alternative if you prefer.

4. How can I make this recipe spicier?
For an extra kick, add some red pepper flakes to the sauce or sprinkle chili powder on the chicken before cooking.

Final Thoughts

This Quick and Easy Garlic Butter Chicken is everything you need in a weeknight dinner—fast, flavorful, and fuss-free. The combination of tender chicken and rich, garlicky butter sauce is sure to become a go-to in your recipe rotation. So grab your skillet, whip up this dish, and enjoy a delicious meal with minimal effort!

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