Garlic Butter Chicken

Juicy, golden-seared chicken meets a rich, buttery garlic sauce in this incredibly Easy Garlic Butter Chicken recipe. Perfect for busy weeknights, this quick skillet dinner comes together in about 15 minutes using simple ingredients and big flavors. Tender chicken breasts are pan-seared until beautifully golden, then coated in a silky garlic butter sauce with a splash of white wine for extra depth. The result is a comforting, restaurant-quality dish the whole family will love. Serve it with pasta, rice, roasted potatoes, or fresh vegetables for a complete meal. This easy garlic butter chicken is flavorful, satisfying, and guaranteed to become a go-to favorite.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 15

Course: Dinner, Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

Ingredients
3 tablespoons olive oil
1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 4 pieces), flattened to an even thickness
1 to 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning or a mixed herb seasoning blend
1 teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
½ cup dry white wine or chicken broth
3 tablespoons unsalted butter add more if you prefer extra sauce
1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic
2 teaspoons freshly chopped parsley optional for garnish

Method

1. Prepare the Chicken

Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board and gently pound them to create an even thickness. This ensures they cook evenly and stay juicy.

2. Heat the Skillet

Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the oil shimmers.

3. Season the Chicken

Sprinkle both sides of the chicken with the seasoning blend, salt, and black pepper.

4. Sear the First Side

Lay the chicken into the hot skillet. Let it cook undisturbed for about 5 minutes so it develops a golden crust.

5. Flip and Finish Cooking

Turn the chicken over and cook the second side for another 4–5 minutes until fully cooked through. Larger pieces may take slightly longer.

6. Let the Chicken Rest

Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and allow it to rest briefly while you prepare the sauce.

7. Deglaze the Pan

Carefully pour the white wine or chicken broth into the hot skillet. The liquid will bubble and release flavorful browned bits stuck to the pan.

8. Create the Garlic Butter Sauce

Add the butter and stir as it melts. Once melted, mix in the minced garlic and cook for about one minute until fragrant.

9. Return the Chicken

Place the chicken back into the skillet and turn it to coat thoroughly in the garlic butter sauce.

10. Spoon the Sauce Over the Top

Use a spoon to drizzle the sauce over each piece of chicken so it absorbs all the flavor.

11. Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle fresh parsley on top if desired and serve immediately while hot.

Notes

Helpful Tips for Perfect Garlic Butter Chicken

Pound the Chicken Evenly

Chicken breasts naturally have thick and thin sections. Flattening them slightly helps the meat cook evenly and prevents dry spots.

Let the Chicken Sear

Avoid moving the chicken during the searing stage. Allowing it to sit untouched helps develop that delicious golden crust.

Deglazing Builds Flavor

Adding wine or broth after cooking helps loosen the flavorful browned bits stuck to the pan. Those tiny bits add incredible richness to the sauce.

Recipe FAQs

What kind of wine works best?

Any dry white wine works well. Options like chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, or pinot grigio add great flavor. Avoid sweet wines, as they can change the taste of the sauce.

Can I skip the wine?

Absolutely. Chicken broth works perfectly and still creates a flavorful sauce.

Can I replace the seasoning blend?

Yes. Poultry seasoning or a mixture of oregano, thyme, and rosemary makes a great alternative.

Can chicken thighs be used instead?

Definitely. Boneless chicken thighs work well, though cooking times may vary slightly.

Fresh or jarred garlic?

Fresh garlic provides the strongest flavor, but jarred minced garlic is a convenient substitute.

Can vegetables be added?

This recipe is designed for speed, so vegetables aren’t included. If you'd like them, cook them separately so everything finishes at the same time.

Final Thoughts

Garlic butter chicken proves that simple ingredients can produce bold flavor in very little time. With juicy chicken, aromatic garlic, and a buttery sauce that coats every bite, this recipe quickly becomes a reliable go-to dinner. Serve it with rice, pasta, roasted potatoes, or steamed vegetables for a complete and satisfying meal the whole family will love.