Description

This indulgent garlic butter chicken skillet recipe offers a rich and creamy dinner option using boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts. Sear the chicken to golden perfection, then simmer it in a luscious garlic butter sauce enhanced with chicken broth and heavy cream. Fresh parsley or chives add a pop of color and brightness to balance the creamy sauce, making this an easy, flavorful meal for any night.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

4 pieces Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs or Breasts (Thighs provide rich flavor; breasts offer a leaner option)
1 teaspoon Salt
1 teaspoon Pepper

Sauce

4 cloves Garlic (freshly minced)
4 tablespoons Butter
2 tablespoons Olive Oil
1 cup Chicken Broth (low-sodium preferred)
1 cup Heavy Cream
1 teaspoon Paprika (optional)

Garnish

2 tablespoons Fresh Parsley or Chives (chopped)

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Instructions

Heat the skillet: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers, preparing the pan for searing the chicken.
Season and sear the chicken: Generously season the chicken thighs or breasts with salt and pepper. Place them in the hot skillet and sear for 4 to 5 minutes on each side until they turn golden brown and develop a nice crust.
Add butter and garlic: Lower the heat to medium. Add 4 tablespoons of butter to the skillet. Once melted, add the freshly minced garlic and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until the garlic becomes fragrant but not burnt.
Deglaze the pan: Pour in 1 cup of chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits stuck to the bottom. Allow the broth to simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to concentrate flavor.
Add heavy cream and paprika: Stir in 1 cup of heavy cream and sprinkle in paprika if using. Let the mixture simmer gently for 3 to 4 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes creamy.
Simmer chicken in sauce: Return the seared chicken to the skillet, spooning some sauce over the pieces. Simmer everything together for an additional 3 to 4 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked through.
Garnish and serve: Remove the skillet from heat. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or chives on top for freshness and color. Serve the garlic butter chicken hot with your choice of sides.

Notes

For a leaner option, use chicken breasts instead of thighs, but be careful to avoid overcooking.
You can substitute fresh herbs with dried but reduce the quantity to about 1 teaspoon.
Serve with steamed vegetables, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
Ensure garlic is sautéed only until fragrant to prevent bitterness.
Use low-sodium chicken broth to better control the salt level in the dish.