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Quick Garlic Herb Butterfly-Cut Chicken Breast Recipe Easy 20-Minute Dinner

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A quick and easy garlic herb butterfly-cut chicken breast recipe that delivers juicy, flavorful chicken in just about 20 minutes, perfect for fuss-free weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large chicken breasts (about 1 pound/450g), butterflied
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon salt (sea salt or kosher salt)
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Optional: ½ teaspoon smoked paprika

Instructions

  1. Butterfly the chicken breasts: Place one chicken breast flat on your cutting board. With a sharp knife, slice horizontally through the middle, being careful not to cut all the way through, and open it like a book. Repeat with the second breast. (About 5 minutes)
  2. Prepare the marinade: In a mixing bowl, combine 3 tablespoons olive oil, minced garlic, chopped fresh herbs, lemon juice, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika if using. Stir well to blend flavors. (3 minutes)
  3. Marinate the chicken: Place the butterflied chicken breasts into the bowl and coat evenly with the marinade. Cover and let sit for 10 minutes at room temperature or up to 30 minutes in the fridge if you have time. (Do not marinate longer than 30 minutes to avoid ‘cooking’ the chicken.)
  4. Heat the skillet: Warm your pan over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Add a drizzle of olive oil if your pan isn’t non-stick. (2 minutes)
  5. Cook the chicken: Place the chicken in the pan, marinade side down first. Sear for about 4-5 minutes until golden brown and fragrant. Flip carefully using tongs and cook the other side for another 4-5 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). If you don’t have one, cut into the thickest part to check that juices run clear and meat is opaque. (10 minutes)
  6. Rest before serving: Transfer the chicken to a plate and let it rest for 3-5 minutes to lock in juices.

Notes

Do not marinate longer than 30 minutes to avoid the lemon juice ‘cooking’ the chicken. Butterflying the chicken breast ensures even and faster cooking. Rest the chicken after cooking to lock in juices. If fresh herbs are unavailable, use half the amount of dried herbs. Avoid overcrowding the pan to maintain a golden crust. Can substitute chicken thighs but adjust cooking time accordingly.

Nutrition

Keywords: quick chicken recipe, garlic herb chicken, butterfly chicken breast, easy dinner, weeknight meal, juicy chicken, healthy chicken recipe, gluten-free chicken

Find it online: https://lumalunch.com/quick-garlic-herb-butterfly-cut-chicken-breast-recipe-easy-20-minute-dinner/