Garlic Butter Chicken is the ultimate comfort dish that is both simple to prepare and full of flavor. This recipe features juicy chicken thighs, perfectly seared and cooked in a rich garlic butter sauce. It’s one of those meals that everyone will rave about, yet it requires minimal ingredients and time. Perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or even impressing guests, Garlic Butter Chicken is a must-try!
Why You’ll Love Garlic Butter Chicken
- Minimal Ingredients: With just a handful of pantry staples and some chicken, you can whip up this delicious meal in no time.
- Incredibly Flavorful: The rich, buttery garlic sauce takes this chicken to a whole new level of flavor, with a savory richness that’s unforgettable.
- Versatile: Serve it with anything from mashed potatoes to pasta, or even over a bed of fresh greens.
- Quick and Easy: This dish comes together in about 30 minutes, making it ideal for a fast and tasty weeknight meal.
Ingredients
To make Garlic Butter Chicken, you’ll need the following simple yet flavorful ingredients:
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (you can also use chicken breasts or drumsticks)
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter (divided)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped for garnish)
- Juice of half a lemon (optional but adds brightness to the sauce)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep the Chicken
Before cooking, pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Drying the chicken ensures that it gets a nice, crispy sear when you cook it. Season the chicken generously on both sides with salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme.
Tip: For the best flavor, let the seasoned chicken sit for about 10-15 minutes before cooking, allowing the seasoning to fully penetrate the meat.
2. Sear the Chicken
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter. Once the butter is melted and bubbly, add the chicken thighs, skin-side down. Cook for 5-7 minutes on each side, or until the skin is golden brown and crispy.
Pro Tip: Don’t move the chicken too much while it’s searing – letting it sit undisturbed in the pan helps achieve that beautiful golden crust.
3. Remove and Rest
Once the chicken is seared and golden, remove it from the pan and set aside. Don’t worry if the chicken isn’t fully cooked through yet; it will finish cooking in the garlic butter sauce.
4. Make the Garlic Butter Sauce
In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Allow it to melt, then add the minced garlic. Sauté the garlic for about 30 seconds, or until fragrant (be careful not to burn it).
5. Deglaze the Pan
Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan (this is where a lot of the flavor is). Bring the mixture to a simmer, letting it reduce slightly, about 2-3 minutes.
Optional Add-In: For an extra zesty flavor, add a squeeze of lemon juice during this step.
6. Finish Cooking the Chicken
Return the seared chicken thighs to the skillet, skin-side up. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cover the pan. Cook for another 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the sauce has thickened slightly.
7. Garnish and Serve
Once the chicken is fully cooked, remove the skillet from heat. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve the chicken with the rich garlic butter sauce spooned over the top.
Tips for Perfect Garlic Butter Chicken
- Use Skin-On, Bone-In Chicken: For the juiciest, most flavorful chicken, it’s best to use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs. The skin crisps up beautifully, and the bone adds moisture and flavor during cooking.
- Don’t Overcook the Garlic: Garlic burns quickly, so make sure to sauté it just until it becomes fragrant, around 30 seconds to a minute. Burnt garlic can turn the sauce bitter.
- Let the Sauce Reduce: When deglazing the pan with chicken broth, allow the sauce to reduce slightly. This will concentrate the flavors and help thicken the sauce.
Recipe Variations
While the classic garlic butter sauce is absolutely delicious, there are a few ways you can tweak this recipe to suit your tastes or dietary preferences:
- Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken: For a creamy twist, add ¼ cup of heavy cream or half-and-half to the sauce once the chicken broth has reduced. This creates a rich, velvety garlic cream sauce that’s perfect for serving over pasta or rice.
- Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the sauce to give the dish a spicy kick.
- Herb Garlic Chicken: Mix up the herbs by adding fresh rosemary, sage, or basil for an herbaceous twist. You can also use dried herbs if you don’t have fresh ones on hand.
- Lemon Garlic Chicken: For a brighter, zestier flavor, add more lemon juice and even some lemon zest to the sauce. The acidity from the lemon perfectly complements the richness of the butter.
How to Serve Garlic Butter Chicken
Garlic Butter Chicken is incredibly versatile and pairs well with a variety of side dishes. Here are a few ideas to serve alongside this rich, flavorful chicken:
- Mashed Potatoes: The creamy garlic butter sauce is perfect for drizzling over a bed of fluffy mashed potatoes.
- Roasted Vegetables: Serve with roasted carrots, Brussels sprouts, or asparagus to round out the meal with a burst of color and nutrients.
- Rice or Quinoa: Spoon the sauce over steamed rice or quinoa for a hearty and satisfying meal.
- Pasta: Toss the garlic butter sauce with your favorite pasta (like linguine or fettuccine) and top with the chicken for a delicious pasta dish.
Storage and Reheating Tips
If you have leftovers or want to meal prep for the week, Garlic Butter Chicken stores beautifully. Here’s how to keep it fresh and delicious:
- Storage: Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The sauce can be stored in a separate container or with the chicken.
- Freezing: You can freeze Garlic Butter Chicken for up to 2 months. Make sure the chicken is fully cooled, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
- Reheating: To reheat, place the chicken in a skillet over medium heat with a bit of extra chicken broth or water to loosen the sauce. Alternatively, you can reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, though the skin may lose some crispiness.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
Here’s a rough estimate of the nutritional information for one serving of Garlic Butter Chicken:
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Protein: 28g
- Fat: 28g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fiber: 0g
Note: Nutritional information may vary based on the specific ingredients you use and the size of the chicken thighs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I use boneless chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Yes! You can substitute boneless, skinless chicken breasts if you prefer. Keep in mind that chicken breasts cook faster than thighs, so adjust the cooking time accordingly. Be careful not to overcook the breasts as they can dry out more quickly.
2. Is there a dairy-free option?
To make this recipe dairy-free, substitute the butter with a dairy-free alternative like vegan butter or olive oil. While the sauce won’t be as rich, it will still be full of garlic flavor.
3. Can I add vegetables to the dish?
Absolutely! You can add vegetables like mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini to the skillet when making the sauce. Simply sauté the veggies along with the garlic for a one-pan meal.
4. Do I need to use chicken broth?
Chicken broth adds extra flavor to the sauce, but if you don’t have any on hand, you can use water or even white wine for a slightly different flavor profile.
Flavor Profile
- Rich and Buttery: The combination of garlic and butter creates a luxurious sauce that’s rich and flavorful.
- Savory and Herby: The addition of thyme, paprika, and parsley brings a savory, herbaceous note to the dish, making each bite deeply satisfying.
- Juicy and Tender: Bone-in chicken thighs ensure that the meat remains juicy and tender while the skin crisps up beautifully during searing.
