Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Breast Recipe

Imagine sinking your teeth into a perfectly juicy, tender Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Breast that’s infused with rich, aromatic garlic and bathed in a silky butter sauce. This restaurant-quality dish transforms ordinary chicken breasts into an extraordinary meal that’s remarkably simple to prepare. The magic happens when the garlic-infused butter slowly melts into the chicken, creating a flavor-packed dish that’s both elegant and comforting. You’ll learn how to achieve perfectly moist chicken breasts every time with a technique that guarantees success even for novice cooks.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Breast Recipe is about to become your new weeknight favorite for several compelling reasons. First, it delivers incredible flavor with minimal effort, using just a handful of ingredients that you likely already have in your kitchen. The contrast between the crisp, golden exterior and the juicy, tender interior creates an irresistible texture experience that elevates this dish beyond basic chicken.

What really sets this recipe apart is the harmonious marriage of butter and garlic that creates a sauce so delicious you’ll want to drizzle it over everything on your plate. The cooking method ensures that chicken breasts, which are notoriously easy to overcook, remain perfectly moist and succulent.

Perhaps best of all, this impressive dish comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you want something that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. It’s also naturally low-carb and gluten-free, fitting seamlessly into various dietary preferences without sacrificing flavor.

Ingredients

To create this mouthwatering Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Breast, you’ll need:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 pounds total)
• 6 tablespoons (85g) unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cloves garlic, finely minced (about 1½ tablespoons)
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (or 1 tablespoon fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, and parsley)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon paprika (sweet or smoked)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

The star ingredient is the garlic, which infuses the butter with its aromatic flavor. Use fresh garlic rather than pre-minced for the most vibrant taste. The butter should be good quality and at room temperature so it blends easily with the seasonings.

Pro Tips

Even Thickness Is Key: For perfectly cooked garlic butter chicken breasts, ensure they’re of uniform thickness. Place chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap and gently pound the thicker parts with a meat mallet or heavy skillet until they reach an even thickness of about ¾-inch. This ensures they’ll cook evenly and remain juicy throughout.

Temperature Matters: Take your chicken out of the refrigerator 15-20 minutes before cooking. This allows it to come closer to room temperature, promoting even cooking. Additionally, invest in an instant-read thermometer to check for doneness. Chicken breasts are perfectly cooked at 165°F (74°C), and even a few degrees more can lead to dry meat.

Make Compound Butter Ahead: For deeper flavor infusion and convenience, prepare the garlic butter mixture up to three days in advance. Simply combine the softened butter, minced garlic, herbs, and seasonings, then refrigerate in an airtight container. Not only does this save time, but it also allows the flavors to meld together beautifully, intensifying the garlic butter experience in your baked chicken breasts.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Take your chicken breasts and pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels. This important step ensures a better sear and helps the garlic butter adhere properly. Place the chicken between plastic wrap and gently pound to an even thickness of about ¾-inch. Season both sides with salt and pepper.

Step 2: Create the Garlic Butter
In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, dried Italian herbs, salt, pepper, and paprika. Mix until well incorporated into a smooth, aromatic compound butter. The butter should be soft enough to spread easily but not melted. This garlic-infused butter will be the flavor powerhouse of your dish.

Step 3: Prepare for Baking
Heat an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. When the oil is shimmering, carefully place your seasoned chicken breasts in the pan. Sear them for about 2-3 minutes on each side until they develop a beautiful golden-brown crust. This step locks in moisture and creates an appealing caramelized exterior.

Step 4: Add the Garlic Butter
Remove the skillet from heat. Using a knife or small spatula, spread the garlic butter mixture evenly over each chicken breast, ensuring they’re generously coated. The butter will begin to melt immediately from the residual heat, releasing the aromatic garlic and herb fragrance.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Transfer the skillet to your preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). The exact time will depend on the thickness of your chicken breasts, so using a meat thermometer is highly recommended. During baking, the garlic butter will create a luxurious sauce that bathes the chicken.

Step 6: Rest and Serve
Once done, remove the skillet from the oven and let the Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Breast rest for 5 minutes. This crucial resting period allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat. Drizzle with fresh lemon juice, spoon the melted garlic butter sauce from the pan over the chicken, and garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.

Variations

Lemon Herb Garlic Chicken: Enhance your garlic butter chicken breast with a bright citrus note by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon zest to the garlic butter mixture. After baking, squeeze fresh lemon juice over the chicken and sprinkle with additional fresh herbs like dill, basil, or oregano. This variation brings a Mediterranean-inspired freshness that’s perfect for summer meals.

Parmesan Crusted Version: For a deliciously crispy twist, mix ¼ cup of finely grated Parmesan cheese into your garlic butter mixture, then top each chicken breast with an additional tablespoon of Parmesan before baking. The cheese creates a golden, savory crust that adds wonderful texture contrast to the juicy chicken. This version is particularly popular with children and cheese lovers alike.

Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken: For those who enjoy heat, add ¼ to ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to your garlic butter mixture. You can also include 1 teaspoon of sriracha or your favorite hot sauce. The spice balances beautifully with the richness of the butter, creating a complex flavor profile that elevates this simple dish to new heights.

Storage and Serving

Your Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Breast can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For best results when reheating, cover with foil and warm in a 325°F oven for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. This gentle reheating method helps maintain the chicken’s moisture better than microwave reheating.

For a complete meal, serve this succulent garlic butter chicken alongside roasted vegetables like asparagus, Brussels sprouts, or baby potatoes that can cook at the same temperature as your chicken. The vegetables will benefit from a drizzle of the garlic butter sauce from the pan.

For a lighter option, pair with a crisp green salad dressed with a simple vinaigrette that will provide a refreshing contrast to the rich chicken. Alternatively, serve over buttered pasta or fluffy rice to soak up the delicious garlic butter sauce – this combination transforms the dish into a restaurant-worthy dinner that’s sure to impress.

FAQs

How do I prevent my chicken breasts from drying out?
The key is not to overcook them. Use an instant-read thermometer and remove the chicken from the oven once it reaches 165°F. Also, the initial searing and the butter coating help lock in moisture during baking.

Can I use bone-in chicken breasts for this recipe?
Yes, bone-in chicken breasts work wonderfully and often provide more flavor. Adjust the cooking time to approximately 22-25 minutes, as bone-in cuts take longer to cook through.

Is there a dairy-free alternative to butter for this recipe?
Absolutely! Plant-based butter substitutes work well, or you can use olive oil infused with garlic and herbs for a different but equally delicious version.

Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?
You can prepare the garlic butter mixture up to 3 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. You can also season and pound the chicken a day ahead, but for best results, sear and bake just before serving.

What’s the best way to tell if my chicken is done without a thermometer?
When chicken is fully cooked, the juices should run clear when pierced with a fork. The meat should be opaque all the way through and offer some resistance when cut, but still remain tender and juicy.

Conclusion

This Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Breast is comfort food at its finest — luxuriously buttery, aromatic with garlic, and perfectly juicy with each bite. It’s the kind of dish that transforms an ordinary weeknight dinner into a special occasion, yet requires minimal effort to prepare. Whether you’re cooking for your family, meal prepping for the week ahead, or hosting guests, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality results with home kitchen simplicity. The combination of golden-seared exterior and tender, flavorful interior makes this chicken dish a true crowd-pleaser that you’ll find yourself returning to again and again.

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