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Easy Seared Garlic Butter Chicken Breasts Recipe Perfect for Romantic Date Night

seared garlic butter chicken breasts - featured image

A quick and easy recipe for seared chicken breasts cooked in garlic butter, perfect for a cozy and romantic dinner at home. This dish features a golden crust and rich garlic butter sauce with fresh herbs.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (68 ounces or 170-225g each)
  • ½ teaspoon coarse salt per breast
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper per breast
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced finely
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley or thyme (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Heat until shimmering but not smoking, about 2 minutes.
  3. Place chicken breasts in the pan without overcrowding. Cook undisturbed for 5-6 minutes until the underside is deep golden brown and releases easily from the pan.
  4. Flip the chicken breasts using tongs. Immediately add butter and minced garlic around the chicken. As the butter melts, tilt the pan and spoon the garlic butter over the chicken repeatedly. Cook for another 5-6 minutes.
  5. Check doneness with a meat thermometer; the internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). If no thermometer, cut into the thickest part to ensure no pink remains and juices run clear. Cook a few more minutes if needed, basting constantly.
  6. Remove chicken from the pan and let rest for 5 minutes. Stir fresh herbs and lemon juice into the remaining garlic butter in the pan, then pour the sauce over the chicken before serving.

Notes

Do not overcrowd the pan to ensure a good sear. Pat chicken dry before seasoning to avoid steaming. Add garlic only after flipping the chicken to prevent burning. Let chicken rest before slicing to keep it juicy. For dairy-free, substitute butter with coconut oil or dairy-free butter. For oven finish, sear 3 minutes per side then bake at 400°F for 10-12 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic butter chicken, seared chicken breasts, easy chicken recipe, romantic dinner, quick chicken recipe, skillet chicken, garlic chicken