Garlic Chicken
Tender, juicy chicken breasts pan-seared to a golden brown and smothered in a rich, savory garlic butter sauce. A quick and elegant weeknight dinner ready in under 30 minutes, perfect with pasta or mashed potatoes.
For 4 servings
Prepare the Chicken
- Place the chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap or parchment paper. Using a meat mallet or rolling pin, pound them to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch. This ensures they cook evenly.
- Pat the chicken completely dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
- Spread the all-purpose flour on a shallow plate. Dredge each chicken breast in the flour, coating both sides, then gently shake off any excess.
Sear the Chicken
- In a large skillet or pan, heat the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of the unsalted butter over medium-high heat.
- Once the butter is melted and foaming, carefully place the floured chicken breasts in the skillet in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding the pan; cook in two batches if necessary.
- Sear the chicken for 5-6 minutes per side, until golden brown, crisp, and cooked through. The internal temperature should read 165°F (74°C) on a meat thermometer.
- Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a clean plate and set aside.
Create the Garlic Butter Sauce
- Reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the same skillet.
- Once the butter has melted, add the minced garlic and sauté for 30-60 seconds until fragrant. Stir constantly to prevent it from burning, as burnt garlic will taste bitter.
- Pour in the chicken broth and fresh lemon juice. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits (fond) from the bottom of the pan—this is where the flavor is!
- Bring the sauce to a simmer and let it cook for 3-4 minutes, allowing it to reduce and thicken slightly.
Combine and Serve
- Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce.
- Spoon the garlic sauce over the chicken and let it simmer for another 1-2 minutes to warm through and absorb the flavors.
- Remove from heat, garnish with freshly chopped parsley, and serve immediately with your favorite sides like mashed potatoes, pasta, or steamed vegetables.
What to keep in mind.
5 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1For the best sear, ensure your pan is hot before adding the chicken and don't move the chicken for the first few minutes of cooking.
- 2Using a meat thermometer is the most reliable way to check for doneness without overcooking the chicken.
- 3Freshly minced garlic and freshly squeezed lemon juice provide a much brighter and more robust flavor than their bottled counterparts.
- 4Deglazing the pan by scraping up the browned bits after searing the chicken is a crucial step for a flavorful sauce.
- 5If the sauce gets too thick, you can thin it out with a splash more chicken broth.
Adapt it for your goals.
Creamy Garlic Chicken
After the sauce has reduced, stir in 1/4 cup of heavy cream or full-fat coconut milk and simmer for another minute until heated through.
Spicy Garlic ChickenSpicy Garlic Chicken
Add 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes along with the garlic for a spicy kick.
Garlic Mushroom ChickenGarlic Mushroom Chicken
Before making the sauce, sauté 8 oz of sliced cremini mushrooms in the skillet until golden. Remove them, make the sauce, and add both the chicken and mushrooms back at the end.
Herb Infused Garlic ChickenHerb-Infused Garlic Chicken
Add 1 teaspoon of fresh thyme or rosemary along with the garlic for a more complex, earthy flavor.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Excellent Source of Lean Protein
Chicken breast is a fantastic source of high-quality lean protein, which is essential for building and repairing muscle tissue, supporting bone health, and maintaining a healthy metabolism.
Immune System Support
Garlic is renowned for its health benefits, primarily due to the compound allicin. It has strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can help boost the immune system and fight off illness.
Frequently asked questions
Each serving of this Garlic Chicken contains approximately 370 calories, making it a reasonably light yet satisfying main course. The final count can vary based on the exact size of the chicken breasts and the amount of oil and butter used.