Introduction

This Garlic Herb Butter Chicken is a flavorful and tender dish perfect for a weeknight dinner or special occasion. The rich garlic herb butter sauce elevates simple chicken breasts into a delicious meal everyone will love.

The close-up image shows several pieces of cooked chicken breast in a metal pan with a golden-brown crust on top. The chicken is sliced into thick, even strips revealing a juicy white inside. The pieces are glistening with a shiny sauce that has oil and small herbs like parsley and rosemary scattered across the chicken and pan. There are visible bits of cooked onion mixed with the sauce pooling around the chicken. The colors range from golden brown on the surface of the chicken to light pinkish white inside, with bright green herbs adding contrast. The whole dish looks warm, fresh, and flavorful. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

½ cup unsalted butter (at room temperature)
3 tablespoons roughly chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon herbs of choice
2 teaspoons roughly chopped garlic (approximately 1 clove)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 tablespoons roughly chopped shallots
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
½ teaspoon salt (more or less to taste, omit if using salted butter)
Freshly cracked black pepper (to taste)
4 medium chicken breasts (or 2 large chicken breasts halved into cutlets, approximately 2 pounds)
Salt (to taste)
Freshly cracked black pepper (to taste)
2 tablespoons avocado oil (or other neutral oil)
1 cup water (if needed)
½ cup dry white wine (or chicken broth)

Instructions

Step 1: Add all ingredients for the garlic herb butter (butter, parsley, herbs, garlic, garlic powder, shallots, lemon juice, salt, and pepper) to a food processor bowl. Process until the mixture is completely smooth and well combined. Set aside.
Step 2: Season the chicken breasts thoroughly on all sides with salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Set aside.
Step 3: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. When hot, add avocado oil and swirl to coat the pan completely. Continue warming the skillet until the oil is hot and shimmering.
Step 4: Add chicken breasts to the skillet, working in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding. Sear the chicken for 4 minutes, then gently check the underside for burning. If burning occurs, flip immediately; otherwise, cook for 1 more minute before flipping.
Step 5: Cook the chicken on the other side for another 4 to 5 minutes, or until firm and cooked through. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and set aside to rest. If chicken breasts are thick and not fully cooked after 8-10 minutes, cover the skillet, reduce heat to low, and cook 2-3 more minutes.
Step 6: If there are burnt spots in the skillet, carefully pour 1 cup of water into the hot skillet and bring to a boil. Pour out the water and continue to the next step.
Step 7: Reduce heat to low. Pour the white wine (or chicken broth) into the skillet and use a spatula or whisk to scrape up any browned bits stuck to the pan. Bring the liquid to a low boil, then simmer uncovered until reduced by half.
Step 8: When the liquid has reduced to about ⅓ cup, add the garlic herb butter mixture to the skillet. Stir or whisk until the butter melts completely. Return the chicken to the skillet and spoon the sauce over the top.
Step 9: Once chicken is well coated with the sauce, remove the skillet from heat. Serve the chicken with desired sides and additional sauce from the skillet if desired.

Tips & Variations

Use salted butter and reduce additional salt in the recipe for a balanced taste.
Substitute herbs of choice with fresh thyme, rosemary, or basil for different flavor profiles.
For extra richness, add a splash of heavy cream when melting the herb butter in the skillet.
If you don’t have a food processor, finely mince all butter ingredients and mix by hand.
To ensure even cooking, pound chicken breasts to an even thickness before seasoning and cooking.

Storage

Store leftover garlic herb butter chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave to preserve moisture. The garlic herb butter sauce may thicken when chilled; simply warm it to melt before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes, boneless, skinless chicken thighs work well for this recipe. Adjust cooking time as thighs may take a bit longer to cook through.

What can I serve with Garlic Herb Butter Chicken?

This dish pairs beautifully with steamed vegetables, mashed potatoes, rice, or a crisp green salad for a complete meal.