Amazing Skillet Garlic Butter Chicken 30 Min

Oh, weeknights. They can be such a hustle, right? Between work, life, and trying to squeeze in a moment for yourself, the last thing you want to do is spend hours in the kitchen. I totally get it! That’s why I’m SO excited to share this Skillet Garlic Butter Chicken for Cozy Weeknights with you. It’s like a warm hug in a pan – super flavorful, incredibly easy, and takes hardly any time at all. It’s proof that simple, clean eating can be absolutely delicious and satisfying, even on the busiest nights.

Why You’ll Love This Skillet Garlic Butter Chicken for Cozy Weeknights

Trust me, you’re going to want to bookmark this one! It’s got all the good stuff that makes a weeknight meal a winner:

• Speedy Siren: Ready in just about 35 minutes from start to finish – perfect for when hunger strikes fast!
• Flavor Fiesta: That garlic butter sauce? Oh my goodness. It’s rich, savory, and totally irresistible.
• Effortlessly Clean: Made with simple, wholesome ingredients, it’s a dish you can feel great about serving.
• Ultimate Comfort: It’s the kind of meal that makes your kitchen smell amazing and your soul feel happy.

Ingredients for Your Skillet Garlic Butter Chicken

Okay, let’s get this amazing dish on the table! Here’s what you’ll need. Don’t worry, most of these are pantry staples or super easy to grab!

• 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs (your choice – I usually go with thighs for extra juiciness!)
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to your liking
• 2 tablespoons good quality olive oil
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (the good stuff makes a difference!)
• 5 cloves garlic, minced (don’t be shy with the garlic, it’s garlic butter, after all!)
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, for that lovely pop of green and freshness at the end

How to Prepare Skillet Garlic Butter Chicken for Cozy Weeknights

Alright, let’s get cooking! This is where the magic happens, and I promise it’s way simpler than it looks. You’ll have a gorgeous, flavorful meal on the table before you know it. It all starts with getting that chicken perfectly cooked!

Seasoning and Searing the Chicken

First things first, grab your chicken. Pat it nice and dry with some paper towels – this is super important for getting a great golden-brown sear. Once it’s dry, give it a good sprinkle all over with the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Get those seasonings into every nook and cranny! Now, heat up your olive oil in a big skillet over medium-high heat. Once it’s shimmering, carefully lay the chicken in there. Cook it for about 5-6 minutes on each side. You’re looking for a beautiful golden color and for it to be cooked all the way through. Once it’s done, just pop it onto a plate, no need to clean the pan!

Crafting the Garlic Butter Sauce

Now for the star of the show: that glorious garlic butter sauce! Turn the heat down to medium. Add the butter to that same skillet – don’t you love how all those yummy bits from the chicken melt right into it? Let it melt, and then toss in your minced garlic. Stir it around and cook for just a minute or two until it smells absolutely heavenly. Be careful not to burn the garlic, or it can get a little bitter. Then, splash in the fresh lemon juice. Let it bubble and simmer for another minute or so, just to meld all those amazing flavors together.

Finishing and Serving Your Skillet Garlic Butter Chicken

Almost there! Now, gently place your perfectly seared chicken back into the skillet with that bubbling garlic butter sauce. Spoon some of that delicious sauce right over the top of each piece of chicken. Let it all simmer together for about 2 more minutes so the chicken can really soak up all that goodness. To finish it off, sprinkle generously with fresh chopped parsley. It adds a beautiful touch of color and a fresh, zesty note. Serve this piping hot right out of the skillet. Seriously, it’s that easy!

Tips for the Perfect Skillet Garlic Butter Chicken

Alright, you’ve got the recipe, but let me give you a few insider tricks that make this Skillet Garlic Butter Chicken for Cozy Weeknights truly shine. It’s all about those little details that take it from “good” to “wow, I can’t believe I made this!” and really fit that clean-living vibe I love. Don’t skimp on patting the chicken dry; it’s your secret weapon for that gorgeous golden crust. If it’s wet, it’ll just steam, and we want that lovely sear!

Use good quality, unsalted butter for the sauce – it really makes a difference in the richness. And watch that garlic closely! It smells amazing, but it burns fast. A quick stir over medium heat is all it needs. If you’re a fan of chicken thighs, they are *chef’s kiss* for this recipe because they stay incredibly moist and soak up all that garlicky goodness. You can find more ideas for amazing chicken thigh recipes here, and of course, loads of other chicken recipes on my site too!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

Let’s chat about making this recipe work perfectly for *you*! Sometimes you might not have exactly what’s listed, or maybe you just prefer something a little different. That’s totally okay! For this Skillet Garlic Butter Chicken, chicken breasts are fantastic, but if you want an extra burst of juicy flavor, chicken thighs are an absolute dream. They’re also a bit more forgiving if you accidentally crank the heat up too high.

The fresh parsley at the end is lovely for a pop of color and brightness, but honestly, if you don’t have any on hand, don’t sweat it! A little sprinkle of dried parsley can work in a pinch, or you could even try some chives if you have them. It’s all about making simple, clean eating work for real life, right? You can find tons of other ideas for clean eating recipes right here on Melt It Clean!

Serving Suggestions for Skillet Garlic Butter Chicken

Now that you’ve got this gorgeous chicken ready, what should you serve it with? This dish is so versatile! For a truly balanced and nourishing meal, I love pairing it with some steamed broccoli or asparagus – they’re quick, healthy, and the green really pops against the chicken. A simple side of quinoa or brown rice is also fantastic for soaking up that extra garlicky butter sauce. If you’re looking for more meal prep inspiration, you can always check out my favorite healthy meal prep recipes for ideas on building out your perfect weeknight dinner!

Storage and Reheating

Got leftovers? Lucky you! This Skillet Garlic Butter Chicken for Cozy Weeknights actually reheats brilliantly. Once it’s cooled down, pop it into an airtight container and stash it in the fridge. It should keep nicely for about 3-4 days. When you’re ready for round two, just gently warm it up in a skillet over low heat, adding a tiny splash of chicken broth or water if it seems a bit dry. You want to heat it through without overcooking, keeping that delicious garlic butter sauce lovely and creamy.

Nutritional Information

Just a friendly heads-up, the nutritional info below is an estimate per serving and can totally change depending on the ingredients you use and portion sizes. It’s always a good idea to calculate it yourself if you have super specific needs! You can find more tips on making healthy choices with recipes like these in my recipes for weight loss section.

• Calories: Around 450
• Fat: About 25g
• Protein: Roughly 45g
• Carbohydrates: Approximately 5g

Frequently Asked Questions

Got burning questions about this ridiculously easy Skillet Garlic Butter Chicken for Cozy Weeknights? I totally get it! Here are a few things people often ask me, along with my best answers to make sure you have a perfect meal every time.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Oh, absolutely! In fact, I sometimes prefer chicken thighs for this recipe. They’re a little more forgiving and tend to stay super juicy and flavorful, soaking up that delicious garlic butter sauce like a dream. Just make sure they’re cooked through – they might take a minute or two longer than breasts, but they’re worth it!

Can this be made ahead of time?

While this chicken is honestly best served right after it’s made, you can totally cook the chicken ahead of time and store it separately from the sauce. Reheat the chicken gently, then warm up the sauce and pour it over. The sauce is also great to make ahead and just reheat and toss everything together whenever you’re ready for a super quick meal. It’s perfect for those nights when you need something fast, and you can find more easy dinner recipes on my site!

What are some good side dishes to serve with this chicken?

This garlic butter chicken is so versatile! For a super clean and simple meal, I love serving it with steamed green veggies like broccoli, asparagus, or green beans. They add a nice crunch and freshness. A side of fluffy quinoa, brown rice, or even a simple cauliflower mash also works wonderfully to catch all that amazing sauce. Whatever you choose, it’s going to be delicious!

Print