Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Breasts
Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Breasts is a flavorful and simple dish featuring juicy chicken cooked in a rich garlic butter sauce. Perfect for any occasion, it’s easy to customize and offers a nutritious, satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 4 chicken breasts 4-5 ounces each
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon each of black pepper paprika, and dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon each of garlic powder and onion powder
- 1 tablespoon oil avocado, sunflower, or grapeseed oil
Garlic Butter:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced or finely grated
- 1 teaspoon each of Italian seasoning and honey
- Pinch of red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
PREP:
- Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat it to 425ºF. Flatten the thickest part of each chicken breast using the flat side of a meat mallet, covering the chicken with plastic wrap to prevent splatter. This step ensures even cooking. In a small bowl, mix together the salt, paprika, black pepper, dried thyme, garlic powder, and onion powder. Season both sides of the chicken breasts with the spice mixture. If time allows, let the chicken rest at room temperature for 5-20 minutes, or proceed to cook immediately.
SEAR:
- Heat the oil in a cast-iron or oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, arrange the chicken breasts in a single layer and sear them for 1-2 minutes on each side. The goal is to create a golden crust, not to cook them through at this stage.
GARLIC BUTTER:
- As the chicken sears, prepare the garlic butter by combining the butter, parsley, garlic, Italian seasoning, honey, and red pepper flakes (if using) in a small bowl. Heat the mixture in the microwave in 15-20 second intervals until the butter is fully melted and the ingredients are well blended.
ROAST:
- Drizzle the garlic butter over the chicken breasts and transfer the skillet to the oven. Roast the chicken for 10-14 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165ºF. Once cooked, remove the skillet from the oven and let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving to lock in the juices.
Notes
If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, simply transfer the seared chicken to an ovenproof baking dish. Pour the garlic butter over the chicken and bake as directed. Note that the chicken may require a few extra minutes to cook since it will start in a cold baking dish. Using the same skillet for both searing and baking gives the dish a slight head start, reducing cooking time and enhancing flavor by retaining the searing juices.