I love chicken recipes, especially when they’re simple and packed with flavor. Today, I’m sharing three fantastic easy garlic butter chicken ideas that you can make any night of the week. These recipes are perfect for busy schedules but still taste amazing.
Whether you’re baking chicken breasts, making a quick one-pan meal with asparagus, or searing classic garlic butter chicken, I have you covered. Let’s get cooking and bring some deliciousness to your table!
Jump to Recipe:
- 1. Easy Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Breast Recipe
- 2. Easy Garlic Butter Chicken Bites With Asparagus
- 3. Easy Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe
Easy Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Breast for Dinner
This simple recipe gives you tender, juicy chicken breasts baked to perfection. The garlic butter adds so much flavor without extra effort, making it ideal for a weeknight dinner.
Key Ingredients & Tips
- Chicken Breasts: Choose boneless, skinless chicken breasts. If they are very thick, you can pound them slightly to an even thickness for better cooking.
- Garlic Butter Flavor: Use good quality butter and fresh minced garlic for the best results. A little dried Italian seasoning adds a nice extra touch.
- Don’t Overcook: Chicken breasts can dry out quickly. Use a meat thermometer to ensure they reach 165°F (74°C) and then take them out.
What You Need
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
⏱️ Time: 30 minutes🍽️ Yields: 4 servings
How to Make It
Step 1: Prep Chicken & Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides of the chicken with salt and pepper. Set them aside for a moment.
Step 2: Make Garlic Butter Sauce
In a small bowl, mix the melted butter, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning. Stir well to combine all the flavors.
Step 3: Coat & Bake
Place the seasoned chicken breasts in a baking dish. Pour the garlic butter mixture evenly over the chicken. Bake for 18-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
📝 Final Note
This baked chicken is great with roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a simple green salad. Enjoy the extra garlic butter sauce over your side dishes!
Quick Garlic Butter Chicken Bites With Asparagus
If you need a super quick and easy one-pan meal, this recipe is for you. Tender chicken bites and fresh asparagus cook together in a flavorful garlic butter sauce, making cleanup a breeze.
Key Ingredients & Tips
- Chicken Thighs or Breasts: Both work well. Cut them into similar-sized 1-inch pieces so they cook evenly and quickly.
- Fresh Asparagus: Trim the woody ends off the asparagus. It cooks quickly and adds a nice green color and freshness to the dish.
- Lemon Brightness: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end really brightens up the garlic butter and brings all the flavors together.
What You Need
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken (thighs or breasts), cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
⏱️ Time: 25 minutes🍽️ Yields: 2-3 servings
How to Make It
Step 1: Cook Chicken Bites
Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and oregano. Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
Step 2: Sauté Asparagus & Garlic
Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the trimmed asparagus pieces and cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring, until the asparagus is tender-crisp.
Step 3: Combine & Finish
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the asparagus. Stir everything together gently to coat in the garlic butter. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the dish before serving immediately.
📝 Final Note
This recipe is a full meal on its own, but you can serve it with a side of quinoa or brown rice if you like. Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Classic Easy Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe
This classic stovetop garlic butter chicken is super versatile and always a hit. You can use chicken thighs or breasts for this quick pan-seared dish that has a rich, flavorful sauce perfect for pouring over anything.
Key Ingredients & Tips
- Chicken Choice: Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs give the most flavor and stay juicy. Boneless, skinless breasts or thighs also work, just adjust cooking time.
- Crispy Skin: For skin-on chicken, sear it skin-side down first until golden and crisp. This makes a big difference in texture.
- Sauce Building: Use a bit of chicken broth or white wine to deglaze the pan after cooking the chicken. This picks up all the browned bits, making a rich sauce.
What You Need
- 4 chicken pieces (thighs or breasts)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (or white wine)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
⏱️ Time: 20 minutes🍽️ Yields: 4 servings
How to Make It
Step 1: Season & Sear Chicken
Pat the chicken pieces dry and season generously with salt and pepper on all sides. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken to the hot skillet, skin-side down if using thighs, and sear for 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F / 74°C). Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Step 2: Make Garlic Butter Sauce
Reduce heat to medium. Add butter and minced garlic to the same skillet. Cook for 1 minute until garlic is fragrant, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Pour in the chicken broth (or wine) and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
Step 3: Combine & Serve
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, turning it to coat in the garlic butter sauce. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately.
📝 Final Note
This garlic butter chicken pairs wonderfully with rice, pasta, or crusty bread to soak up all that delicious sauce. Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.