Description
This Easy Garlic Butter Chicken Skillet is a fast, flavorful weeknight dinner with juicy chicken and a glossy garlic-butter sauce made right in one pan. Perfect with rice, mashed potatoes, pasta, or crusty bread for soaking up every drop. Pinterest-friendly idea: save this garlic butter chicken recipe for busy nights, meal prep lunches, and cozy family dinners—simple ingredients, big flavor, and ready in about 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs (or chicken breasts/cutlets)
- 1 tsp kosher salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika (optional)
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning or dried thyme (optional)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, divided (plus 1 tbsp more for extra sauce, optional)
- 4–6 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- 1/3 cup chicken broth (up to 1/2 cup for more sauce)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (optional, but recommended)
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- Pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Pat chicken dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning (if using).
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and 1 tbsp butter.
- Sear chicken 5–7 minutes per side for thighs (3–5 for breast cutlets) until golden and nearly cooked through. Transfer to a plate.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining 2 tbsp butter. Stir in garlic and cook 30–60 seconds until fragrant (do not brown).
- Pour in chicken broth and scrape up browned bits from the pan. Add lemon juice if using and simmer 1–2 minutes until glossy.
- Return chicken (and any juices) to the skillet. Spoon sauce over top and simmer 2–4 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F.
- Turn off heat. Sprinkle with parsley and red pepper flakes if desired. Serve immediately with your favorite side.
Notes
- For extra sauce: add an additional 1–2 tbsp butter and increase broth to 1/2–2/3 cup, then simmer to reduce.
- Chicken thighs are most forgiving and stay juicy; for breasts, slice into cutlets for even cooking.
- Keep garlic on medium heat and stir constantly—burnt garlic tastes bitter.
- Finish with lemon to brighten the sauce and balance the butter.
- Store leftovers 3–4 days in the fridge; reheat gently with a splash of broth to loosen the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 160mg
Keywords: Easy Garlic Butter Chicken Skillet, garlic butter chicken, one pan chicken, skillet chicken, weeknight dinner, chicken thighs, chicken breast