If you love the simple, comforting taste of chicken, garlic, and butter, you are in for a treat today. I’ve gathered three easy recipes that make weeknight meals delicious and stress-free.
These garlic butter chicken recipes are all about getting a wonderful meal on your table without a lot of fuss. From quick baked chicken breasts to stovetop delights, you’ll find a new favorite here.
Jump to Recipe:
- 1. Easy Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Breasts for a Simple Meal
- 2. Quick Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Tender Asparagus
- 3. Stovetop Easy Garlic Butter Chicken for Any Night
Easy Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Breasts for a Simple Meal
This garlic butter chicken recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something flavorful but simple. You just bake the chicken in a rich garlic butter sauce, and it comes out juicy every time.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Baked Garlic Butter Chicken
- Chicken Breasts: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for quick cooking. Pounding them slightly can help with even cooking.
- Fresh Garlic: Always choose fresh garlic cloves over powder for the best taste in this dish.
- Melted Butter: Unsalted butter works best so you can control the seasoning yourself.
What You Need for Baked Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
⏱️ Time: 30 minutes🍽️ Yields: 4 servings
How to Make Baked Garlic Butter Chicken
Step 1: Preheat & Prep
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. This helps them get a nice color.
Step 2: Make Garlic Butter
In a small bowl, mix the melted butter with minced garlic, Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Stir well until everything is combined.
Step 3: Bake Chicken
Place chicken breasts in a baking dish. Pour the garlic butter mixture evenly over them. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through to 165°F (74°C). Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
📝 Final Note
Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days and are great for salads or sandwiches the next day.
Quick Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Tender Asparagus
If you need a speedy dinner that still feels special, these garlic butter chicken bites are it. Cubed chicken cooks fast with crisp asparagus, all coated in a lovely garlic butter sauce.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Chicken Bites
- Chicken Thighs: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs stay moist, but chicken breast works too. Cut into even 1-inch pieces for quick cooking.
- Asparagus: Trim the woody ends. You want vibrant green spears that are firm but not tough after cooking.
- High Heat: Cook the chicken and asparagus quickly over medium-high heat to get a nice sear and keep everything tender-crisp.
What You Need for Chicken & Asparagus Bites
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Lemon wedges, for serving
⏱️ Time: 20 minutes🍽️ Yields: 2-3 servings
How to Make Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Step 1: Prep Chicken & Veggies
Pat chicken cubes dry with paper towels and season them with salt, pepper, and paprika. Make sure your asparagus is trimmed and cut into pieces.
Step 2: Cook Chicken
Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes until it’s browned and mostly cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
Step 3: Cook Asparagus & Finish
Add the remaining butter to the skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the asparagus and cook for 3-4 minutes until it’s tender-crisp. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, toss to coat everything, and cook for another minute to heat through.
📝 Final Note
A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end really brightens up the flavors in this dish. It’s a great light meal or side.
Stovetop Easy Garlic Butter Chicken for Any Night
This recipe brings the classic garlic butter flavor to your stovetop for a complete chicken meal. It’s so quick to make, creating a rich sauce right in the pan that everyone will enjoy.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Stovetop Garlic Butter Chicken
- Chicken Pieces: Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs work wonderfully for extra flavor and moisture, but breasts can also be used if you prefer.
- Chicken Broth: Use a good quality low-sodium chicken broth to build the sauce without making it too salty.
- Fresh Herbs: A sprinkle of fresh parsley or thyme at the end adds a nice freshness and color to your dish.
What You Need for Stovetop Chicken
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (or 2 boneless breasts)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
⏱️ Time: 35 minutes🍽️ Yields: 4 servings
How to Make Stovetop Garlic Butter Chicken
Step 1: Sear Chicken
Pat the chicken pieces dry and season them generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken skin-side down for 6-8 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Flip the chicken and cook for another 5 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
Step 2: Make Sauce
Lower the heat to medium. Add the butter to the skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth and fresh lemon juice, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan to add more flavor. Bring the sauce to a simmer.
Step 3: Finish Cooking
Return the chicken to the skillet, skin-side up. Spoon the sauce over the chicken to coat it well. Cover the skillet and cook for 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (165°F/74°C). Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
📝 Final Note
This chicken pairs wonderfully with rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes to soak up all that delicious garlic butter sauce. It makes a complete meal!
