Description
This Easy Garlic Butter Chicken Skillet Delight is a quick and flavorful dish featuring tender boneless chicken thighs or breasts cooked in a luscious garlic butter sauce. Enhanced with fresh garlic, creamy heavy cream, and a hint of paprika, this skillet meal is perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner. The dish combines the richness of butter and cream with the bright freshness of parsley, all brought together in a one-pan stovetop recipe.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 pieces Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs or Breasts (Thighs add moisture; breasts are leaner)
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Paprika (optional, for smoky flavor)
Sauce and Cooking
- 4 cloves Garlic (freshly minced, generous amounts for best taste)
- 4 tablespoons Butter (forms the creamy base of the sauce)
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (prevents butter from burning)
- 1 cup Chicken Broth (opt for low-sodium)
- 1/2 cup Heavy Cream (adds richness)
- 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley or Chives (brightens up the dish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels and season both sides evenly with salt, pepper, and paprika if using.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken pieces and sear them for about 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, add the freshly minced garlic and sauté for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Make the Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits. Let it simmer and reduce slightly for about 3-4 minutes.
- Add Cream and Herbs: Lower the heat to medium-low, then stir in the heavy cream and fresh parsley or chives. Allow the sauce to thicken gently while stirring occasionally.
- Combine and Finish: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, spoon some sauce over each piece, and simmer everything together for an additional 3-5 minutes so the flavors meld and the chicken stays tender and moist.
- Serve: Remove from heat and serve the chicken hot with the garlic butter creamy sauce drizzled over top. Garnish with extra parsley if desired.
Notes
- Boneless chicken thighs offer a juicier, more flavorful outcome compared to breasts, which are leaner.
- Using low-sodium chicken broth helps control the saltiness of the dish.
- Fresh garlic is key for the best flavor; use more or less to suit your taste.
- You can substitute parsley with chives or fresh basil for a different herbal note.
- Serve with steamed vegetables, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
- Ensure not to burn the garlic to avoid bitterness.
