Garlic Butter Chicken

Looking for an easy, flavorful dinner that comes together in no time with just a few ingredients? This Garlic Butter Chicken is exactly what you need — juicy, tender chicken cooked in one skillet with a luscious garlic butter sauce and a splash of white wine (or chicken broth if that’s your style). It’s a fuss-free 15–20 minute meal that feels a little fancy, but uses simple staples you probably already have in your kitchen.

In this post, I walk you through an easy-to-follow ingredient list, a straightforward step-by-step method that keeps cleanup minimal, and handy tips (like why pounding and searing your chicken matters and how to safely deglaze your pan). After the recipe, you’ll find perfect sides, creamy variations, and answers to all your garlic butter chicken questions.

Whether you’re feeding your busy family on a weeknight or want a quick yet impressive dinner, this one-skillet garlic butter chicken has your back — simple to make, easy to customize, and perfect for soaking up every drop of that delicious sauce with rice, pasta, potatoes, or crusty bread.

Why This Recipe Works

This garlic butter chicken is a weeknight lifesaver — bursting with flavor and super quick to throw together.

• Ready in about 15–20 minutes — perfect for those busy evenings.
• One skillet means fewer dishes and easy cleanup.
• The chicken stays tender and juicy, swimming in a rich garlic butter sauce with a splash of wine adding depth.
• Uses simple pantry and fridge basics you likely already have.
• Versatile and easy to customize for different tastes — naturally high-protein and gluten-free, great with pasta, rice, potatoes, bread, or veggies — try it with a bright Street Corn Salad with Greek Yogurt.

Pantry and Fridge Staples

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded to an even thickness (about 4 average breasts)
• 1 to 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
• ½ cup white wine* or chicken broth, as needed
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, or more for extra sauciness
• 1 tablespoon finely minced garlic, or to taste
• 2 teaspoons fresh parsley, optional for garnish

Sear, Simmer, and Finish the Chicken

1. Pound chicken breasts to an even thickness.
2. Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Season the pounded chicken evenly with poultry seasoning, kosher salt, and black pepper.
4. Place chicken in the hot skillet and sear undisturbed for about 5 minutes (6–7 minutes for thicker breasts) to develop a golden crust.
5. Flip the chicken and cook the other side for about 5 minutes, until cooked through.
6. Remove the chicken from the skillet and let rest on a plate.
7. Carefully pour ½ cup white wine or chicken broth into the hot skillet to deglaze, scraping up browned bits.
8. Add 3 tablespoons butter and stir until melted, about 1 minute.
9. Stir in 1 tablespoon minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

10. Turn off the heat and return the chicken to the skillet, spooning the garlic butter sauce over the chicken to coat.

    

11. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve immediately.

Pro Tips for Best Results

• You can enjoy this garlic butter chicken just as it is if you’re looking for a high-protein, gluten-free meal.
• Or serve it alongside your favorite pasta or noodles — I love pairing it with sweet and sour noodles for a tasty combo.
• Potatoes never disappoint with chicken — mashed potatoes, Parmesan herb roasted potatoes, or crispy parmesan ranch potatoes all work beautifully; for an easy, crispy option, try Air Fryer Baked Garlic Parmesan Potatoes.
• Rice is always a welcome side—try my Spanish rice recipe or coconut rice for a flavor twist.
• Don’t forget bread, rolls, or biscuits to soak up all that heavenly garlic butter sauce. Garlic herb dinner rolls, no-knead rolls, or angel biscuits are excellent choices.

• If you want some veggies on your plate, try my asparagus casserole, roasted Brussels sprouts, green beans, or keep it simple with a house salad like Cucumber Ranch Crack Salad.

This is a super quick and easy chicken dinner that comes together in just 15 minutes. But a few key tips will help you nail it every time!

Tip 1: Pounding the Chicken Breasts

Make sure your chicken is pounded to an even thickness. This helps it cook evenly without drying out. Pounding also tenderizes by breaking down the muscle fibers, so you get juicy results every time.

Tip 2: Searing the Chicken Breasts

Resist the urge to peek or move the chicken while searing. Let it form that nice crust undisturbed. After 5 minutes, check if it’s ready to flip. Repeat on the other side.

Tip 3: Deglazing the Pan

Your skillet will have browned bits after searing — that’s flavor gold! Add wine or broth to deglaze. Remember, it gets super steamy and bubbly, so be careful!

Flavor Twists and Substitutions

• If you love the flavor but want a creamier, cheesier dish, try making a creamy parmesan dijon skillet chicken using this recipe as your base — it’s rich and delicious, or go baked with a Chicken Parmesan casserole for extra cheesy comfort.
• For bite-sized pieces, dice your chicken before cooking. This cooks even faster — in around 5 minutes; you can also try air fryer chicken bites for a similarly quick, crispy option.
• Craving a bit more heat? Sprinkle red pepper flakes on top or stir a touch of Asian chili garlic sauce into the buttery wine sauce. Heads up though—it can get spicy quick, so add it cautiously!

• If you want a creamier, cheesier twist, try adding parmesan and dijon to make a creamy parmesan dijon skillet chicken. It’s just as easy but super luscious.
• Dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces if you prefer — it will cook faster, around 5 minutes total.
• Like things spicy? Add red pepper flakes on top or mix in some Asian chili garlic sauce to the butter sauce. Just watch the heat—it can sneak up fast.

Storage and Reheating Tips

Store your leftover garlic butter chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 4 months (cool fully before freezing). Thaw frozen chicken overnight in the fridge before reheating.

• Microwave: Reheat in short bursts on medium power, turning or stirring occasionally and spooning sauce over the chicken to keep it juicy.
• Stovetop: Warm gently over low to medium heat in a skillet with a little extra broth, wine, or butter. Cover to keep the moisture in.
• Oven: Heat in a covered dish with a splash of liquid at 325°F (160°C) until warm throughout.

For make-ahead convenience, you can pound and season the chicken a day ahead and keep it covered in the fridge before cooking. For another make-ahead idea that refrigerates well, see High Protein Creamy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta. You can also cook it fully, toss it with the garlic butter sauce, and refrigerate — just reheat gently to avoid drying out.

Quick Answers to Common Questions

What Type of Wine Should I Use? 

Use any dry white wine you happen to have—Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, or a dry rosé all work great. Just avoid sweet wines. Also, skip anything labeled “cooking wine” because those just don’t taste good. Pick a wine you’d enjoy drinking!

Can I Omit the Wine? 

Absolutely! If wine’s not an option, chicken broth works well too. Just know that the wine adds a depth of flavor after the alcohol cooks off, so the sauce will taste a bit different but still yummy.

Can I Substitute the Poultry Seasoning?

If you don’t have poultry seasoning or the specific spice blend called for, try any poultry seasoning mix or a combination of spices you like. Many readers say Costco’s Signature Organic No-Salt Seasoning is a great stand-in for the Trader Joe’s blend.

Remember, the bold garlic flavor takes center stage here, so your seasoning choice won’t steal the show.

Can I Use Chicken Thighs Instead?

Yes! This recipe works great with boneless, skinless chicken thighs too. Just keep an eye on the cooking time as thighs may take a little longer or shorter—cook until done and juicy.

What Type of Garlic Should I Use?

I love using fresh garlic cloves that I mince myself; the flavor is unbeatable. But if you want convenience, jarred minced garlic is totally fine and still delicious. If you love that garlicky, buttery profile, you might also enjoy these crispy garlic butter air fryer shrimp.

Can I Add Vegetables to the Chicken?

You technically can, but since this recipe is designed to be ready in about 15 minutes with minimal fuss, tossing in veggies might make things tricky and slow down cooking.

If you want veggies, I recommend cooking them separately—steam, roast, or sauté your favorites so everything finishes at the same time. Or try a skillet dinner that builds veggies right in, like this Copycat Texas Roadhouse Smothered Chicken recipe with sautéed mushrooms and onions.

4.51 from 1406 votes

What Type of Wine Should I Use? 

Go for any dry white wine you like—Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, or dry rosé. Avoid sweet wines or wines labeled “cooking wine” because those don’t taste great. Just pick something you enjoy sipping!

Can I Omit the Wine? 

Yes, chicken broth is a perfect substitute if you’d rather skip the wine. The alcohol in wine burns off during cooking, so you just get the flavor. Broth adds good flavor too, just a little different.

Can I Substitute the Poultry Seasoning?

Totally! Use poultry seasoning or your favorite spice mix. Many readers say Costco’s No-Salt Seasoning is a great swap. The garlic flavor dominates anyway, so go with what you have.

Can I Use Chicken Thighs Instead?

Yes, boneless skinless thighs work beautifully. Just keep an eye on cooking time, which might vary, and make sure they’re cooked through.

What Type of Garlic Should I Use?

I prefer fresh garlic because of its bright flavor, but jarred minced garlic works fine too. Use what’s easiest for you!

Can I Add Vegetables to the Chicken?

You could, but since this recipe is designed to be fast and simple in one skillet, veggies will complicate the cooking and extend the time.

If you want veggies, I recommend preparing them separately—steam or roast favorites alongside to finish perfectly together.

4.51 from 1406 votes