Garlic Butter Chicken Skillet (One-Pan Weeknight Dinner)

✨ Introduction

Some nights, you want dinner to be fast, flavorful, and made in one pan — without sacrificing comfort or taste 😌🧄.
That’s exactly where this Quick & Easy Garlic Butter Chicken Skillet shines.

Tender chicken bites seared to golden perfection, coated in rich garlic butter, and finished with simple seasonings that let the ingredients speak for themselves. This is the kind of recipe that feels indulgent but is secretly practical — perfect for busy weeknights, lazy Sundays, or anytime you need a reliable dinner that everyone loves.

No oven. No complicated prep. Just one skillet, bold flavors, and a meal that’s ready in under 30 minutes.

---

💛 Why You’ll Love This Garlic Butter Chicken Skillet

• 🍗 Juicy, pan-seared chicken every time
• 🧄 Rich garlic butter flavor without heaviness
• 🍳 One-pan recipe = minimal cleanup
• ⏱️ Ready in under 30 minutes
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family-friendly and versatile

If you love quick chicken dinners that feel comforting but not boring, this skillet recipe will become a staple.

---

🧈 What Makes Garlic Butter So Irresistible?

Garlic butter is simple — but powerful. The butter adds richness, while garlic brings aroma and depth. When combined in a hot skillet, the flavors bloom instantly, coating the chicken in a silky sauce that clings to every bite.

This recipe keeps it balanced: bold but not greasy, comforting without being heavy.

---

🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what you need to bring this garlic butter skillet to life (simple pantry staples) 🧈:

Main ingredients

• Chicken (breasts or thighs, cut into bite-size pieces)
• Butter
• Garlic (fresh minced is best)
• Olive oil (helps prevent butter from burning)
• Salt + black pepper

Optional but highly recommended

• Italian seasoning (or paprika for warmth)
• Red pepper flakes (for a gentle kick)
• Fresh parsley (for freshness + color)
• Lemon wedge (for a bright finish) 🍋

---

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step: How to Make Garlic Butter Chicken Skillet

This is the reader-friendly step-by-step (your Tasty card will contain the exact measurements + final numbered instructions).

Step 1: Prep the chicken

Pat the chicken dry (this helps it brown). Cut into even pieces so everything cooks at the same speed.

Step 2: Season generously

Salt and pepper are non-negotiable. If you’re using paprika or Italian seasoning, add it here.

Step 3: Sear in a hot skillet

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken in a single layer and let it sear. Don’t move it too early — that’s how you get those golden edges.

Step 4: Add butter and garlic at the right time

Once the chicken is mostly cooked and nicely browned, reduce the heat slightly and add butter. When the butter melts, add the garlic and stir quickly (garlic cooks fast!).

Step 5: Toss until glossy and fragrant

Keep tossing the chicken so every piece gets coated in that rich garlic butter. The sauce should look glossy, and your kitchen should smell incredible.

Step 6: Finish and serve

Taste and adjust salt/pepper. Add parsley and a squeeze of lemon if you want a fresher finish. Serve immediately while it’s hot and buttery.

Print

---

💡 Cooking Tips (So It Turns Out Perfect Every Time)

Don’t overcrowd the pan

If chicken is piled up, it steams instead of browning. If needed, sear in two batches.

Add garlic later

Garlic burns quickly. Adding it toward the end prevents bitterness and keeps the flavor sweet and aromatic.

Want extra sauce?

Add a splash of chicken broth at the end and swirl to loosen the skillet drippings. It becomes a quick pan sauce.

---

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

• Over steamed rice or mashed potatoes
• With roasted vegetables or green beans
• Inside a wrap or sandwich for leftovers

---

👩‍🍳 How Garlic Butter Chicken Is Made

This dish comes together quickly and doesn’t require any fancy techniques.

1. Chicken is seasoned and seared until golden and juicy.
2. Butter and garlic are added directly to the skillet.
3. The chicken is tossed in the garlic butter until fully coated.
4. Everything finishes together for maximum flavor.

Simple steps. Big payoff.

---

💡 Tips for the Best Results

• Cut chicken into even pieces for consistent cooking
• Don’t overcrowd the skillet — sear in batches if needed
• Add garlic after the chicken browns to avoid burning
• Finish with fresh herbs for brightness

💡 Did you know?

Garlic releases its most aromatic compounds when gently heated in fat — that’s why garlic butter smells so irresistible almost instantly.

---

🔄 Variations & Substitutions

• 🌶️ Add chili flakes for heat
• 🍋 Finish with lemon juice for brightness
• 🧀 Sprinkle Parmesan before serving
• 🍗 Use chicken thighs for extra juiciness
• 🌱 Add spinach or green beans for a veggie boost

---

📣 Final Thoughts & Call to Action

This Quick & Easy Garlic Butter Chicken Skillet proves that simple ingredients can deliver big flavor. It’s fast, comforting, and endlessly adaptable — exactly what weeknight cooking should be.

If you love quick, no-fuss dinners like this garlic butter chicken, you’ll definitely want to explore our Quick & Easy Meals for busy nights, our High Protein Meals for filling and satisfying recipes, and our Healthy Recipes collection for balanced meals made simple.

💬 Tried it? Leave a comment and tell me how you served it.
📌 Save it for later and share it with fellow garlic lovers.
📷 Tag #YankeeYums — I’d love to see your skillet!