Juicy Garlic Butter Chicken Breasts Recipe (2024)

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Katerina

4.85 from 32 votes

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These garlic butter pan fried chicken breasts have a light but crisp exterior and a tender, juicy interior. They’re perfectly seared and delicious served with just about anything! You’re going to love this easy chicken breasts recipe.

Juicy Garlic Butter Chicken Breasts Recipe (2)

Quick And Delicious Pan Fried Chicken

When it comes to protein, chicken reigns supreme, standing as the epitome of versatility. In fact, challenge me all you want, but it’s hard to dispute chicken’s myriad possibilities. ? Its compatibility knows no bounds, effortlessly complementing any meal. Even as leftovers, chicken adds a refreshing touch to entree salads and wraps, making them an ideal choice for efficient meal prepping.

Among the treasure trove of chicken recipes, one stands out as a personal favorite for its simplicity, speed, and adaptability: pan-fried chicken breasts. These succulent cuts of chicken are seared, resulting in a juicy and flavorsome deliciousness with the bonus pan sauce flavored with garlic and butter.

If you haven’t yet mastered the art of pan-frying chicken breasts, now is the time to delve into this indispensable technique. Believe me; it’s a skill that will prove invaluable in your everyday cooking.

Not a saucy chicken fan? Grab this very popular recipe for pan fried Stove Top Chicken Breasts.

Juicy Garlic Butter Chicken Breasts Recipe (3)

Ingredients For Pan Fried Chicken Breasts

This juicy garlic butter chicken breasts recipe is so juicy and full of fresh herb flavor. You’ll be surprised by how simple the ingredients are.

  • boneless, skinless, chicken breasts
  • salt and fresh ground black pepper
  • Italian seasoning
  • sweet paprika
  • onion powder
  • olive oil & butter
  • garlic
  • chopped fresh parsley, thyme, and rosemary
  • dry white wine OR low sodium chicken broth

How to Pan Fry Chicken

  1. Prep the chicken: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness and season them with salt and pepper.
  2. Combine: In a small mixing bowl, combine the Italian seasoning, paprika, and onion powder.
  3. Coat: Rub the chicken breasts with the prepared seasoning.
  4. Heat: Heat the olive oil in a large 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat.
  5. Fry: Add the chicken breasts to the hot oil and cook for 6 minutes, undisturbed. Flip over the chicken breasts and add 1 tablespoon of butter. Continue to cook for 5 more minutes or until cooked through.
  6. Remove: Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside. Keep it covered.
  7. Sauce: Reduce heat to medium and add 2 tablespoons butter to the same skillet. Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant. Add parsley, thyme, and rosemary. Pour in wine or chicken broth and scrape up all the browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the remaining butter to the skillet and stir until the butter is melted.
  8. Return the chicken: Return chicken to the pan and cook for a minute or two, or until just heated through.
  9. Serve: Spoon sauce over the chicken and serve.
Juicy Garlic Butter Chicken Breasts Recipe (4)

Baking Chicken Vs. Pan Frying Chicken

Both baking and pan frying have their merits when it comes to achieving delicious, juicy chicken. However, pan frying takes the lead if time is of the essence.

  • Baked chicken breast, although flavorful, runs the risk of becoming dry and requires adequate brining or marinating before cooking. Check out this fantastic brined oven baked chicken recipe for inspiration.
  • On the other hand, pan-frying chicken breasts is a cooking method that guarantees moistness, thanks to the inclusion of butter and oil. The high temperature of the pan swiftly cooks the chicken, preventing any potential drying out.
  • Opt for this Air Fryer Chicken Breast recipe if you’re aiming to minimize oil usage.

Tips for Juicy Chicken Breasts

  • Be sure to pound your chicken breasts to an even thickness. This will make them cook evenly and make them more tender.
  • A preheated pan is a must, or your chicken will not brown on the outside or be as moist on the inside. Also, you do not want a pan that is too hot because you will burn the chicken.
  • For extra flavor, pan fry your chicken breasts in a seasoned cast iron skillet.
  • Do not, I repeat, do not touch that chicken until it’s time to flip. When I said “undisturbed”, I meant it! ? But, seriously, this will allow the chicken to char nicely and get crispy.
  • For the sauce, you can use either white wine or chicken broth. If you choose chicken broth, make sure it’s low sodium. If you choose white wine, make sure it’s dry.
Juicy Garlic Butter Chicken Breasts Recipe (5)

Serving Suggestions

  • This chicken breasts recipe is perfect served with a few simple sides. I like to choose either rice or potatoes and a green veggie. Smashed potatoes, cauliflower mash, rice, or garlic asiago cauliflower rice are all great options because they will absorb the sauce. Roasted broccoli, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, or green beans would round out the perfect meal.
  • You could also serve this chicken over pasta or zoodles. Place the chicken breasts on top of a heaping serving of pasta or zoodles and spoon the sauce right on top. ?

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

  • To store your leftovers, allow the chicken to cool to room temperature, then transfer it to an airtight container. Spoon the sauce over the top of the chicken breasts so that the chicken doesn’t dry out. They will keep in the fridge for about 3 to 4 days, or in the freezer for about 3 months.
  • To reheat chicken leftovers in the oven, place chicken breasts in a baking dish and bake them at 300˚F until warm. You can use your leftovers cold if you’d like. Just slice the chicken breasts and use the chicken to top this mango chicken salad or in a wrap.
Juicy Garlic Butter Chicken Breasts Recipe (6)

More Chicken Breasts Recipes

  • How To Boil Chicken Breasts
  • Easy Baked Chicken Breasts
  • Instant Pot Chicken Breasts

ENJOY!

Juicy Garlic Butter Chicken Breasts Recipe (7)

Garlic Butter Pan Fried Chicken Breasts Recipe

Katerina | Diethood

Treat yourself to these garlic butter pan-fried chicken breasts, boasting a delicately crispy exterior and a tender, juicy interior. These chicken breasts are flawlessly seared to perfection and accompanied by a fantastic pan sauce that adds tons of flavor.

4.85 from 32 votes

Rate this Recipe!

Servings : 4

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 4 boneless, skinless, chicken breasts
  • salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste
  • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon sweet paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 5 tablespoons butter, divided
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
  • cup dry white wine, or use low sodium chicken broth

Instructions

  • Pound chicken breasts to an even thickness and season them with salt and pepper.

  • In a small mixing bowl, combine Italian seasoning, paprika, and onion powder; rub the chicken breasts with the prepared seasoning.

  • Heat olive oil in a large 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat.

  • Add chicken breasts to the hot oil and cook for 6 minutes, undisturbed.

  • Flip over the chicken breasts and add 1 tablespoon butter; tilt the pan to swirl around the butter while it melts and continue to cook for 5 more minutes or until cooked through. Chicken is done when its internal temperature reaches 165˚F.

  • Remove chicken from skillet and set aside; keep it covered.

  • Reduce heat to medium and add 2 tablespoons butter to the same skillet. Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 15 seconds.

  • Add parsley, thyme, and rosemary; cook for 10 seconds.

  • Pour in wine or chicken broth and scrape up all the browned bits from the bottom of the pan.

  • Add the remaining butter to the skillet and stir until the butter is melted.

  • Return chicken to the pan and cook for a minute or until just heated through.

  • Spoon sauce over the chicken and remove from heat. Serve

Notes

  • Evenly pound your chicken breasts to ensure consistent cooking and tenderness.
  • Ensure your pan is preheated to achieve a desirable golden brown exterior and moist interior. Avoid excessively high heat to prevent burning.
  • Opt for a cast iron skillet to infuse your chicken breasts with extra flavor during pan frying.
  • Be patient and resist the urge to touch or flip the chicken. Allowing it to cook undisturbed will result in beautifully charred and crispy results.
  • For the sauce, you can use white wine or chicken broth.
  • To store your leftovers, allow the chicken to cool to room temperature, then transfer it to an airtight container. The chicken will keep in the fridge for about 3 to 4 days or in the freezer for 2 to 3 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 296 kcal | Carbohydrates: 2 g | Protein: 25 g | Fat: 21 g | Saturated Fat: 10 g | Cholesterol: 110 mg | Sodium: 263 mg | Potassium: 449 mg | Fiber: 1 g | Sugar: 1 g | Vitamin A: 618 IU | Vitamin C: 3 mg | Calcium: 19 mg | Iron: 1 mg

Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Keyword: chicken breasts recipe, easy chicken dinner idea

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Categories:

  • Chicken Recipes
  • Dinner Recipes
  • Freezer Friendly Meals
  • One Pot Meals
  • Quick Dinner Ideas
  • Recipes
Juicy Garlic Butter Chicken Breasts Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to juicy chicken breast? ›

Brines and marinades help tenderize the meat by bringing more moisture in the protein. With that extra moisture, you lose less when you cook. The simplest way to do this is with a dry brine — unwrap the chicken breasts, salt them on both sides and let them sit in the fridge for at least an hour.

How do you keep chicken moist and juicy? ›

A marinade adds both moisture and intense flavor to chicken breast. The longer you marinate, the better. Seal the chicken in your marinade for two to three hours minimum. However, overnight is ideal.

Does butter keep chicken moist? ›

Can you cook chicken with butter instead of oil? You have to cook chicken at a lower temperature if you bake or pan-fry chicken using butter instead of oil. This is because butter has a lower scorching temperature. Your chicken will cook more slowly, but it's also likely to be juicier and full of more flavor.

How to cook chicken breasts where they aren t dry and tough? ›

Here are some tips to help you achieve juicy and tender chicken breasts:
  1. Brining:Consider brining the chicken breasts before cooking. ...
  2. Marinating:Marinate the chicken in a flavorful liquid for at least 30 minutes or, ideally, several hours. ...
  3. Pounding:Use a meat mallet to pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness.
Oct 21, 2022

How to make chicken breast super tender? ›

  1. Flatten the chicken breasts. ...
  2. Heat the pan. ...
  3. Cook the chicken breasts over medium heat for 1 minute without moving. ...
  4. Flip the chicken breasts. ...
  5. Turn the heat down to low. ...
  6. Cover the pan and cook on low for 10 minutes. ...
  7. Turn off the heat and let sit for an additional 10 minutes. ...
  8. Remove lid and take temperature.

How do you make chicken soft and juicy? ›

Fortunately I have one method that makes unfailingly juicy and tender boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Simply heat the chicken breasts quickly on the stovetop then let them poach from the inside out in their juices in a covered pan. Need some chicken for a salad, or to top some pasta? This is the method.

How to keep chicken breasts from drying out? ›

Make the chicken thinner

Thinner breasts or cutlets are less likely to dry out, as they won't spend as much time in the pan. A simple option is to pound the chicken until it is 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick, using a meat mallet/pounder, heavy skillet or even a hammer. This is best done between parchment paper or plastic wrap.

How to keep boneless skinless chicken breast moist when baking? ›

Coating in a Crust

Adding a crust is another way to help keep boneless, skinless chicken breasts from drying out. Adler is a fan of breadcrumb crusts: "I season the chicken on both sides with salt and pepper, then brush it with a thin coating of mayonnaise or full-fat yogurt.

How do caterers keep chicken moist? ›

Brining helps to tenderize the meat and keep it moist during cooking. Buttermilk marinade: Another popular technique is to marinate the chicken in buttermilk for several hours or overnight.

How to keep chicken soft in butter chicken? ›

Marination is the key to get flavorful, tender & succulent pieces of chicken. Yogurt in the marinade tenderizes the chicken so do not skip it. Makhani recipe never uses onion. However using them helps to balance the tang/sour taste of tomatoes, especially if you are using passata or canned tomatoes.

Why does butter chicken taste so good? ›

The spices are generally the same, but the techniques and methods that are used to make it vary so much. With its sweetly spiced tomato and cream-based gravy, butter chicken is a comforting, warming dish that feels decadent thanks to its silky-smooth richness.

How to not overcook butter chicken? ›

MasterClass explains that the best way to avoid this is to fold the butter in toward the end of the process. This will prevent the sauce from overcooking and then separating. It's also important that if you're preparing butter chicken ahead of time, that the butter is kept separate until the dish is ready to be served.

How to cook chicken breast so it falls apart? ›

Place the seasoned chicken in an approximately 4 quart Dutch oven, breast side down, cover, and place it in the preheated 250°F oven. Let it cook until it literally falls apart when you try to lift any part of it, about 4 hours. Take off the the lid, and let it sit until it's cool enough to handle.

How to make chicken soft like restaurants? ›

1) Marinate the chicken in water, wine, or other liquids for up to an hour before cooking. This will tenderize the meat and add flavor. 2) Slowly cook the chicken on low heat with a lid on top for about 15-20 minutes per pound of chicken. The lid prevents the chicken from drying out too much.

What liquid tenderizes chicken? ›

We recommend marinating your chicken in buttermilk or yogurt overnight, but if it's urgent, then an hour will do. However, the texture of the chicken won't be as even as chicken marinated overnight. The process is simple: you only have to immerse the chicken in a container with enough yogurt or buttermilk and seal it.

What can I add to chicken breast to make it taste better? ›

Add a touch of spice to your chicken breast by combining paprika, cinnamon, turmeric, cumin, ginger, garlic and olive oil to create a paste. Then cover your chicken breast with the paste and pat down to secure.

How do you get the most flavor out of chicken breast? ›

Marinate them.

If you're cooking chicken breasts without skin or fat, infuse them with some extra flavor and liquid to keep them tender. Choose your favorite marinade and throw them in a ziploc bag with the marinade. Marinate them overnight before grilling, baking, or searing. The difference is uncanny.

How do you add moisture back to chicken breast? ›

You can do this by marinating the cooked chicken in a sauce or broth for a while. This can help rehydrate the meat and add some flavor. Just be careful not to over-marinate, as the chicken could become mushy. Steam: Reheating the chicken with steam can help add moisture back into t.

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