This Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Breast is the ultimate comfort food for any night of the week! Juicy, tender chicken is enveloped in a glorious buttery garlic sauce, kissed with Italian herbs and paprika, and finished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon. It’s a low-fuss, flavor-packed main course that brings family and friends straight to the table — and leaves everyone asking for seconds.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll be amazed at how just a few affordable staples transform into a dish bursting with flavor. Every ingredient in this Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Breast recipe plays its part — from adding depth and color to ensuring juicy, mouthwatering results.
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: The lean, versatile canvas that soaks up all those incredible buttery, garlicky flavors while staying beautifully tender.
- Unsalted Butter: Melted for ultra-richness, it brings velvety smoothness and helps the garlic and herbs infuse into every bite.
- Garlic Cloves: Freshly minced garlic gives this dish its bold, aromatic backbone, making each forkful irresistible.
- Italian Seasoning: A fragrant herb blend lifts the garlic butter and adds a touch of Mediterranean flair to the chicken.
- Paprika: Just half a teaspoon gives a gentle kick of warmth and a gorgeous golden hue.
- Salt: Essential for amplifying all the flavors and ensuring your chicken is never bland.
- Black Pepper: Adds a subtle heat that balances the richness of butter and lifts every bite.
- Olive Oil: Used to grease the baking dish, it keeps the chicken from sticking and adds a slight earthiness.
- Fresh Parsley: Chopped and scattered over the top, it brings freshness and a pop of green color.
- Lemon Wedges: A squeeze right before serving highlights all the savory flavors and leaves you wanting more.
How to Make Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Breast
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Begin by turning your oven up to 400°F (200°C), the perfect temperature to give your Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Breast a golden finish without sacrificing moisture. While it heats, lightly grease your baking dish with olive oil so nothing sticks and every morsel can be scooped up easily later.
Step 2: Mix the Garlic Butter
In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, fresh garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper. This concoction smells absolutely heavenly! Make sure to mix well — you want every bit of chicken to get coated in this fragrant blend of seasonings and butter.
Step 3: Coat the Chicken
Place your chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish. Take your time brushing the garlic butter mixture generously onto each piece, making sure to coat both sides thoroughly. This step ensures that every bite of your Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Breast will be full of robust flavor and tenderness.
Step 4: Bake, Covered and Then Uncovered
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. This gentle steam helps keep the chicken juicy. After 20 minutes, remove the foil, letting the top brown and the flavor deepen, then bake for another 10 to 15 minutes. The chicken is ready when it’s beautifully golden and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Step 5: Rest and Garnish
Let your freshly baked chicken rest for at least 5 minutes. This resting period locks in the juices, ensuring each slice is perfectly moist. Finish things off with a shower of chopped fresh parsley and a few lemon wedges. That zesty squeeze brightens up all those rich, savory flavors!
How to Serve Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Breast
Garnishes
Don’t skip the final flourish! Chopped fresh parsley adds an herbal note and a pop of color, while a spritz of lemon lends a fresh, zippy contrast to the buttery chicken. If you’re feeling extra, a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese just before the last 10 minutes of baking will add a golden, cheesy finish you’ll love.
Side Dishes
This Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Breast is a star solo, but it loves good company. Pair it with roasted vegetables, fluffy rice, herbed potatoes, or a twirl of buttered pasta for a comforting, complete meal. Even a simple salad on the side keeps things light and lets the main dish shine.
Creative Ways to Present
Sliced and fanned over your favorite grain bowl, layered atop creamy mashed cauliflower, or tucked into a sandwich with crisp greens — the possibilities are endless. You can even slice it for a picnic or meal-prep it for vibrant lunch salads all week long!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Breast holds up beautifully in the fridge. Store it in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Be sure to spoon a little of the leftover garlic butter sauce over the chicken before sealing it up to keep things juicy.
Freezing
For longer storage, slice or portion the cooled chicken and freeze it in airtight bags for up to 2 months. This makes a quick, delicious meal solution ready whenever the craving hits. Just remember to freeze the garlic butter sauce, too!
Reheating
To preserve that lovely tenderness, reheat gently in a covered dish in the oven or microwave. Add a splash of chicken broth or olive oil to keep things moist, and wait to add fresh garnishes until after warming. It’ll taste just as comforting as the day you made it.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs bring extra juiciness and flavor. Just note you may need to adjust the baking time, as thighs are often smaller and cook a little faster. Always check that internal temp hits 165°F (74°C).
How do I keep chicken breast from drying out?
Pounding the breasts to an even thickness helps cook them uniformly. Also, don’t overbake — start checking at the 30-minute mark, and let the chicken rest before slicing to keep every bite moist and succulent.
Can I make Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Breast dairy-free?
It’s easy! Use a dairy-free butter alternative and a splash of extra olive oil for richness. The flavors of garlic and herbs will still come through beautifully.
What can I use instead of Italian seasoning?
If you’re out of Italian seasoning, mix equal parts dried basil, oregano, and thyme. You can even add a pinch of rosemary or marjoram for more depth and complexity in your Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Breast.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, every ingredient in this dish is naturally gluten-free! Just double-check your seasonings and butter brand to ensure they’re certified if you’re cooking for someone with a gluten allergy.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking to serve up a dish that’s equal parts simple and crowd-pleasing, you just can’t go wrong with Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Breast. Dive in, enjoy every garlicky, buttery bite, and don’t be surprised if it becomes a cherished favorite in your home too!
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Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Breast Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Breast recipe is a simple yet flavorful way to prepare juicy chicken breasts in the oven. The garlic butter mixture keeps the chicken moist and adds a delicious savory taste.
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Garlic Butter Mixture:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Additional:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil.
- Prepare the garlic butter mixture: In a small bowl, combine melted butter, garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Coat the chicken: Place chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish and brush generously with the garlic butter mixture, coating both sides.
- Bake the chicken: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Rest and serve: Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges.
Notes
- For juicier chicken, pound breasts to even thickness before baking.
- You can add a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese before the final 10 minutes of baking for extra flavor.
- This dish pairs well with roasted vegetables, rice, or pasta.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 360mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
