Description
Succulent garlic butter chicken elevates simple ingredients into a mouthwatering meal that promises comfort and flavor. Creamy sauce and tender meat create a delightful dining experience you’ll savor with every delectable bite.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) olive oil
- 4 tbsps (56 g) unsalted butter, divided
- ½ cup (120 ml) chicken broth or white wine
- ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ¼ cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preparation: Pat chicken breasts dry and season comprehensively with salt and pepper to enhance natural flavors and create a perfect seasoning base.
- Searing: Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Carefully place chicken and cook until achieving a rich golden-brown exterior, approximately 4-5 minutes per side. Ensure chicken reaches optimal internal temperature before transferring to a separate plate.
- Sauce Foundation: Reduce skillet heat and add remaining butter. Introduce minced garlic, stirring until fragrant and translucent, releasing its robust aromatic essence.
- Flavor Development: Deglaze the skillet with chicken broth, gently scraping caramelized remnants from the bottom. Allow liquid to simmer and concentrate, developing a complex flavor profile.
- Sauce Refinement: Blend heavy cream and Italian seasoning, creating a luxurious, velvety sauce. Optional: incorporate Parmesan cheese for additional depth and richness. Adjust seasonings to personal preference.
- Final Integration: Return cooked chicken to the silky sauce, allowing it to absorb and meld with surrounding flavors for 2-3 minutes.
- Presentation: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve immediately, presenting a visually stunning and aromatic culinary creation.
Notes
Optimize Chicken Dryness: Pat chicken breasts completely dry before seasoning to ensure crispy, golden-brown exterior and prevent steaming instead of searing.
Prevent Burning Garlic: Lower heat when adding minced garlic and stir constantly, as garlic burns quickly and turns bitter, ruining the sauce’s delicate flavor profile.
Temperature Control Matters: Use a meat thermometer to check internal chicken temperature, aiming for 165°F to guarantee food safety without overcooking and maintaining juicy texture.
Sauce Consistency Hack: If sauce appears too thin, briefly simmer uncovered to reduce and thicken, allowing natural reduction and intensifying flavor concentration without additional thickeners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 41 g
- Saturated Fat: 21 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg