Garlic Butter Chicken is a family-friendly, easy recipe that combines chicken breasts and baby potatoes with fresh garlic, butter, and mozzarella flavor. It pulls together quickly, making it an ideal protein-packed weeknight meal. This delicious, easy chicken recipe is one of my son’s favorites and perfect for busy weeknights.
The chicken is moist, tender, and flavorful. For the perfect meal, serve with a side of roasted asparagus, sauteed green beans, or garlic butter mushrooms.
This baked garlic chicken can be on the table in about thirty minutes. The family loves it, and leftovers heat up well in the microwave on reduced power. Chicken is such a versatile dish. There are just so many ways to prepare it. It is budget-friendly compared to beef and fresh fish. If your family is like mine, you can never get enough easy, delicious chicken recipes.
How to make Garlic Butter Chicken
First, pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Then, salt and pepper both sides of the chicken breasts and place them in a casserole dish. Grab a cast iron skillet or pan and melt the butter on the stovetop. Then add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about one minute. Move the skillet off the heat and let the butter mixture cool for a few minutes. Pour it over the chicken and lightly sprinkle with red pepper flakes and dried parsley. Bake for twenty minutes, then remove from oven. Top the chicken with an Italian blend and mozzarella. Place back in the oven and bake until the cheese is fully melted. Turn the broiler on for the last minute of cooking and lightly brown the top.
What to serve with it
- Italian salad with fresh croutons
- Broccoli seasoned with herbs and lemon juice
- Creamed spinach
- Bacon wrapped asparagus
- Sauteed green beans and sweet bell peppers
- Fresh yeast rolls
- Roasted cauliflower
- Brussels Sprouts
Recipe Tips for the Best Garlic Chicken
- If it all possible, purchase “organic” chicken breasts. My neighborhood Costco is now offering these. According to strict USDA guidelines, these chickens must be raised with organic practices starting no later than the second day of life. They are also given year-round access to the outdoors and fed only organically produced grain.
- Make sure you do not overcook the garlic. It only needs a minute or so in the butter on low heat. Minced garlic cooks very quickly and burns easily. Burnt garlic tastes bitter, and it will change the entire outcome of the dish and not for the better.
- Season to your taste. If you like a lot of spicy seasoning, be generous with the crushed red pepper. Keep the children in mind if you are serving them. If you have a delicate palate, skip the crushed red pepper and go for something milder like rosemary, thyme, or Italian seasonings.
- You can increase the cheese or decrease the cheese depending on your taste. Try a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese right before serving.
- Cooked chicken is done when a meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the breast reaches 165 degrees.
- For a low-carb meal, skip the baby potatoes and replace them with bite-size pieces of veggies like zucchini, asparagus, broccoli, and cauliflower.
- Are you a dark meat nut? Replace the chicken breasts with chicken thighs.
- For a quick protein boost, use the leftover chicken in salads, soups, and bowls! Or serve over rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes.
Storage and Reheat
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power until warmed through.
To freeze, first cool completely. Then add it to a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat at reduced power in the microwave.
This Garlic Butter Chicken is the perfect meal. It is easy, delicious, and dependable. Put the ingredients on your shopping list today.
Other chicken recipes you will love!
Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- I lb. baby potatoes if larger than one-inch slice in half
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter 1 stick
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes or less to taste
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- 1/2 cup shredded Italian blend cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Salt and pepper both sides of the chicken breasts and place in a single layer in a casserole dish. Top with baby potatoes.
- In a large skillet, melt butter over low heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Remove from heat and allow to cool for 5 minutes.
- Pour garlic butter over chicken and potatoes. Sprinkle with half the crushed pepper and half the dried parsley.
- Bake for 20-22 minutes or until chicken is almost cooked through. Top evenly with both kinds of cheese and the rest of the red pepper flakes and dried parsley. Bake an additional 3-5 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Turn the broiler on for the last minute of cooking to lightly brown the tops but stay close by as broilers are unpredictable.
Notes
- If it all possible, purchase "organic" chicken breasts. My neighborhood Costco is now offering these. According to strict USDA guidelines; these chickens must be raised with organic practices starting no later than the second day of life. They are also given year-round access to the outdoors and fed only organically produced grain.
- Make sure you do not overcook the garlic. It only needs a minute or so in the butter on low heat. Minced garlic cooks very quickly and burns easily. Burnt garlic tastes bitter, and it will change the entire outcome of the dish and not for the better.
- Season to your taste. If you like a lot of spicy seasoning, be generous with the crushed red pepper. Keep the children in mind if you are serving them. If you have a delicate palate, skip the crushed red pepper and go for something milder like rosemary, thyme, or Italian seasonings.
- You can increase the cheese or decrease the cheese depending on your taste. Try a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese right before serving.
- Cooked chicken is done when a meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the breast reaches 165 degrees.
- For a low-carb meal, skip the baby potatoes and replace them with bite-size pieces of veggies like zucchini, asparagus, broccoli, and cauliflower.
- Are you a dark meat nut? Replace the chicken breasts with chicken thighs.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power until warmed through.
- For a quick protein boost, use the leftover chicken in salads, soups, and bowls!
- To freeze, first cool completely. Then add it to a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat at reduced power in the microwave.
Nutrition
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Beth
This was so delicious! I did not have baby potatoes so I cut up some russets. They took A LOT longer to cook than the chicken. So I just removed the chicken when it was done and let the potatoes cook longer. Then I added the chicken back. I put Parmesan on the chicken and potatoes before topping with the mozzarella. Served with a side Caesar salad it was the perfect meal! Everyone in the family enjoyed it.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Beth! I am so happy that everyone liked it!
Vickie
Made this last night and had leftovers tonight. It’s amazing, and the flavors are perfect
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much, Vickie!
Sherry Christiansen
I didn’t have red pepper flakes, but did have Cajun seasoning, so used that instead. Also I’m a full time rver and hate using my oven, so cooked in the air fryer on 375⁰ for 24 min before adding cheese. It came out delicious and will definitely become a go to.
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much, Sherry, I am so glad that you liked it!
Alison Saalbach Corey
The spices used in this recipe are perfectly balanced. They add depth and warmth to every bite.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Alison! So glad that you like the garlic chicken.
Tayler
This is my new go to chicken recipe! We had it last night and it was fantastic!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Tayler, so glad that you liked the chicken.
Kushigalu
This garlic butter chicken looks fantastic. Thanks for the recipe.
Suja
This is easy and tastes fabulous! Love this recipe.
Ali
Oh wow this was such a delicious dinner! My whole family loved the garlic butter sauce, and it goes great with a side of mashed potatoes!
Annette, 3 Little Buttons
Yum, yum and yum. This is great and so quick too. Much easier than fiddling about with trying to create a pocket inside the chicken breast. Perfect for after school!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Annette! Enjoy!
Yeah Lifestyle
Love your website as so much of recipe inspiration on it. I am looking forward to making this recipe as it looks so easy to make and delicious
Mosaic design
I love love love butter chicken but never cooked it myself. I can’t wait to make this recipe, it is very easy to follow…
Claudia
This is indeed a family-friendly recipe. Tender, juicy chicken bathed in a rich garlic butter sauce with a splash of wine for extra flavor. The family was very impressed with this recipe.
Samantha Donnelly
This looks like my kind of meal, and one I will enjoy making. Having read the other comments when cooking it is common sense to check how it is cooking as all ovens etc are different.
Beth Pierce
So true!
Nayna Kanabar
A very tasty and delicious recipe that is perfect to make on a weekday as its only takes 30 mins. I like quick and easy recipes.