If you’re craving a dish that’s bursting with flavor yet incredibly simple to prepare, this Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Breast Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. Juicy chicken breasts are seared to golden perfection before being bathed in a heavenly blend of melted butter, minced garlic, and fresh herbs, then baked until tender and infused with those irresistible savory aromas. This recipe strikes the perfect balance between comfort food and elegant dinner fare, making it ideal for weeknights or impressing guests without the fuss.
Ingredients You’ll Need
All the magic begins with a handful of simple, fresh ingredients that come together beautifully to deliver mouthwatering taste, color, and texture. Each component plays an essential role in making this dish truly memorable.
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts: The lean, tender star of the dish that soaks up all the flavors beautifully.
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted: Adds richness and helps distribute garlic and herbs evenly over the chicken.
- 4 cloves garlic, minced: Brings bright, punchy flavor that complements the butter perfectly.
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped: Adds fresh herbal brightness and a pop of green color.
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves: Offers subtle earthiness that balances the richness.
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped: Provides piney, aromatic notes to elevate the dish.
- Salt and pepper to taste: Essential seasonings that enhance every flavor component.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil: For searing the chicken to a gorgeous golden crust before baking.
How to Make Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Breast Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). This high temperature will help seal in juices and ensure the chicken cooks evenly in the delicious garlic butter bath. While the oven preheats, pat the chicken breasts dry and season them well with salt and pepper on both sides. Seasoning early enhances the overall flavor.
Step 2: Make the Garlic Butter Mixture
In a small bowl, combine the melted unsalted butter with minced garlic, chopped parsley, fresh thyme leaves, and rosemary. This mixture is the heart of the dish, creating that incredible aroma and mouthwatering taste you’ll love.
Step 3: Sear the Chicken
Heat the olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Place the chicken breasts into the pan and sear for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until they become golden brown. This step locks in juices and adds a lovely texture that contrasts the tender interior.
Step 4: Bake in Garlic Butter
Once seared, pour the garlic butter mixture evenly over the chicken breasts, making sure every piece is generously coated. Transfer the skillet directly to your preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. You’re aiming for an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) to ensure the chicken is perfectly cooked and juicy.
Step 5: Rest and Serve
Remove your skillet from the oven and let the chicken breasts rest for about 5 minutes. Resting allows the juices to redistribute, making every bite tender and flavorful. Afterward, your Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Breast Recipe is ready to impress!
How to Serve Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Breast Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle a little extra fresh parsley or thyme over the chicken just before serving to add a vibrant, fresh touch that also enhances the aroma. A lemon wedge on the side works beautifully too, adding a zesty brightness that cuts through the richness.
Side Dishes
Pair this chicken with creamy mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables like asparagus or Brussels sprouts. The buttery sauce drizzled over these sides makes for an irresistible combination. A simple green salad or steamed rice are great options for a lighter approach.
Creative Ways to Present
For a dinner party, slice the chicken breasts and fan them out on a platter with a drizzle of the leftover garlic butter sauce. Alternatively, serve atop a bed of herbed quinoa or alongside garlic Parmesan roasted potatoes to wow your guests with elegance and comfort all in one.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Breast Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for 3 to 4 days, making for perfect next-day lunches or quick dinners.
Freezing
You can freeze cooked chicken breasts wrapped tightly in foil or plastic wrap and placed in freezer bags. Frozen chicken is best used within 2 months for optimal flavor and texture.
Reheating
To reheat, warm the chicken gently in a skillet over low heat or in the oven at 300°F (150°C) until heated through. Microwaving is fine too but cover the chicken to retain moisture and reheat in short bursts to avoid drying out.
FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken breasts for this recipe?
It’s best to use fully thawed chicken breasts for even cooking and best flavor, though you can bake from frozen, you’ll need to adjust cooking times significantly.
What if I don’t have fresh herbs on hand?
Dried herbs can be used, but reduce amounts to about one-third since they are more concentrated. Fresh herbs offer a brighter taste and prettier appearance.
Is it necessary to sear the chicken before baking?
Searing is recommended because it adds flavor and texture by creating a caramelized crust. You can skip it to save time, but the texture won’t be quite as rich.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes! Swap the butter for a dairy-free alternative like olive oil or coconut oil, and the dish will still be delicious, though the richness will be slightly different.
How do I know when the chicken is done?
The safest way is to use a meat thermometer. Chicken is perfectly cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). The meat should also be firm but juicy to the touch.
Final Thoughts
This Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Breast Recipe is a true kitchen hero: unfussy yet packed with flavor, juicy, and incredibly satisfying. I encourage you to give it a try soon — your family and friends will be delighted by how something so simple can taste so sensational. Happy cooking!
Print
Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Breast Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Breast recipe offers juicy, flavorful chicken breasts coated in a savory garlic herb butter. Searing the chicken on the stovetop before finishing it in the oven ensures a golden crust and tender, moist meat inside. Fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, and rosemary enhance the richness of the melted butter and garlic, making this an easy yet elegant main dish perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Garlic Butter Sauce
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Searing
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the chicken breasts.
- Season the Chicken: Season both sides of the chicken breasts evenly with salt and pepper to enhance the flavor.
- Prepare Garlic Butter Mixture: In a small bowl, mix together the melted butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, fresh thyme leaves, and chopped rosemary until well combined.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until they develop a nice golden-brown crust.
- Coat with Garlic Butter: Pour the garlic butter mixture evenly over the seared chicken breasts, ensuring they are well coated to lock in flavor.
- Bake the Chicken: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake the chicken for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) to ensure it is fully cooked and safe to eat.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute, then serve warm.
Notes
- Using an oven-safe skillet allows for easy transition from stovetop searing to oven baking without transferring chicken to another dish.
- Make sure to check the internal temperature of chicken to avoid undercooking or drying it out.
- Fresh herbs can be substituted with dried herbs, but reduce the quantity to about 1 teaspoon each to avoid overpowering the dish.
- For a lower-fat version, reduce butter to 2 tablespoons and increase olive oil slightly for searing.
- Letting the chicken rest after baking is crucial for juicy meat.
