Easy Chicken Dinners: Your Go-To 30-Minute Garlic Butter Recipe

In the hustle and bustle of daily life, finding time to create delicious and satisfying meals can feel like a challenge. That’s where easy chicken dinners come to the rescue. This recipe for Garlic Butter Chicken is the ultimate weeknight champion—it’s incredibly fast, requires just a handful of simple ingredients, and delivers a flavor that will have everyone asking for seconds. Forget complicated steps and long cooking times; this dish is designed for real life, for those moments when you need a home-cooked meal without the fuss. It’s a complete game-changer for your dinner routine.

Why This Is the Best Easy Chicken Dinner

You’re going to absolutely love this recipe, and here’s why. First, it’s incredibly quick, going from pantry to plate in under 30 minutes. Second, the garlic butter sauce is restaurant-quality, yet astonishingly simple to make. It coats the tender, juicy chicken in a layer of savory goodness. Finally, this recipe is unbelievably versatile. You can serve it with pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or a mountain of roasted vegetables, making it one of the most adaptable and quick chicken dinners you’ll ever make.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity. You don’t need a long, complicated shopping list to create something spectacular. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are the star. Look for ones that are roughly the same thickness for even cooking.
• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is non-negotiable for the best flavor. It creates the aromatic base of our sauce.
• Butter: Use good-quality unsalted butter. This allows you to control the saltiness of the dish perfectly.
• Olive Oil: A splash of olive oil helps prevent the butter from browning too quickly and adds a subtle, fruity note.
• Chicken Broth: This creates the sauce’s volume and helps to deglaze the pan, lifting all those delicious browned bits.
• Herbs: Fresh parsley adds a bright, clean finish. A touch of dried oregano and thyme provides a lovely, earthy depth.
• Salt & Pepper: For seasoning the chicken to perfection.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create one of the most satisfying and easy chicken dinners you’ve ever had.

1. Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel. This is key to getting a beautiful golden-brown sear. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, dried oregano, and thyme.
2. Sear the Chicken: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and two tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Once the butter is melted and foaming, add the chicken breasts. Cook for 5-7 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.
3. Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining two tablespoons of butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook for about 30-60 seconds, or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn it!
4. Create the Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to release any flavorful browned bits. Bring the sauce to a simmer and let it cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing it to reduce slightly.
5. Combine and Finish: Return the chicken breasts to the skillet. Spoon the garlic butter sauce over them. Let the chicken simmer gently in the sauce for another minute to absorb all the flavors. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.

Tips for Perfect, Juicy Chicken

Keep these tips in mind to ensure your chicken is perfect every single time.

• Don’t Crowd the Pan: Cook the chicken in batches if necessary. Overcrowding the pan will steam the chicken instead of searing it.
• Use a Meat Thermometer: The most reliable way to check for doneness is with an instant-read thermometer. It guarantees juicy, perfectly cooked chicken without any guesswork.
• Let It Rest: Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes before slicing. This helps the juices redistribute, ensuring every bite is moist and tender.

Variations and Add-Ins

This recipe is a fantastic base for creativity. Here are a few ideas to change things up:

• Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken: Add a splash of heavy cream or half-and-half to the sauce for a richer, creamier consistency.
• Lemony Herb Chicken: Squeeze the juice of half a lemon into the sauce at the end for a bright, zesty kick.
• Spicy Chicken: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic to give your sauce a little heat.
• Add Veggies: Sauté some spinach, mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes in the pan before making the sauce for an easy one-pan meal. This turns it into a wonderful chicken and veggie rice bowl base.

What to Serve with Your Chicken Dinner

This garlic butter chicken is incredibly versatile and pairs well with almost anything. For a classic comfort meal, serve it over creamy mashed potatoes or egg noodles. For a lighter option, pair it with steamed asparagus, roasted broccoli, or a fresh garden salad. It’s also fantastic with a side of fluffy rice or a crusty loaf of garlic butter dinner rolls to soak up every last drop of that delicious sauce.

Storage and Reheating

Store any leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, gently warm the chicken and sauce in a skillet over medium-low heat until heated through. You can add a splash of chicken broth to loosen the sauce if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Only Easy Chicken Dinner Recipe You Need

This Garlic Butter Chicken proves that easy chicken dinners don’t have to be boring. With its rich flavor and incredible speed, it’s destined to become a staple in your meal rotation. We hope you love making and sharing this dish with your family and friends. If you do, please leave a comment below or share it on Pinterest!

Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe

FL Recipes

Easy Chicken Dinners: Your Go-To 30-Minute Garlic Butter Recipe

This Garlic Butter Chicken is the ultimate easy chicken dinner! Ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe features tender, juicy chicken breasts in a rich and savory garlic butter sauce. Perfect for a busy weeknight.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 380

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

  

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Garlic Butter Chicken

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts about 6 oz each, pounded to even thickness
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter divided
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped, for garnish

Equipment

• 1 Large Skillet
• 1 Meat Thermometer

Method

 

1. Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, dried oregano, and thyme.
2. Heat olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through (165°F). Remove chicken from skillet.
3. Reduce heat to medium. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic and sauté for 30-60 seconds until fragrant.
4. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.
5. Return the chicken to the skillet. Spoon the sauce over the chicken and let it simmer for one minute. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 380kcalProtein: 40gFat: 22gFiber: 1g

Notes

Tip 1: For extra juicy chicken, pound the breasts to an even thickness before seasoning and cooking.
Tip 2: A splash of white wine can be used to deglaze the pan before adding the chicken broth for extra flavor.
Tip 3: Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to lock in the juices.

Keyword 30 minute meals,easy chicken dinners,garlic butter chicken

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