Description
This Garlic Chicken recipe is a flavorful and easy-to-make main course featuring tender chicken thighs or breasts cooked in a delicious garlic, lemon, and herb sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it delivers juicy, golden chicken with a rich, aromatic sauce accented by fresh parsley. Serve it alongside rice, mashed potatoes, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon paprika
Sauce
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Garnish (optional)
- Chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Season both sides of the chicken thoroughly with salt, black pepper, dried thyme, and paprika to infuse flavor into the meat.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook for 4–5 minutes on each side until they turn golden brown and are cooked through. Once done, transfer the chicken to a plate and cover it to keep warm.
- Prepare the Garlic Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium and add the butter to the same skillet. Once the butter has melted, stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until the garlic becomes fragrant but not browned.
- Add Liquid Ingredients: Pour in the chicken broth and lemon juice, using a spatula to scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan. Let the sauce simmer for 2–3 minutes until it reduces slightly and thickens.
- Combine and Heat Through: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and spoon the garlic sauce over the top to coat evenly. Simmer everything together for another 2–3 minutes to reheat the chicken and allow the flavors to meld.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley for a burst of color and freshness. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- For juicier chicken, use thighs; for a leaner dish, opt for chicken breasts.
- Serve with rice, mashed potatoes, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
- To create a creamier sauce, stir in 2 tablespoons of heavy cream before returning the chicken to the pan.
- This recipe can be made dairy-free by omitting the butter or substituting with a plant-based alternative.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 290mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
