Description
This Crispy Garlic Butter Chicken recipe delivers tender and juicy chicken thighs coated in a flavorful garlic butter sauce. With a perfectly crispy exterior from a light flour dredge and pan-searing, this dish is quick to prepare and ideal for an easy weeknight dinner. Garnished with fresh parsley and optionally served with lemon wedges, it pairs wonderfully with mashed potatoes, rice, or roasted vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour for a gluten-free option)
Cooking Fats and Flavorings
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
Garnish and Serving
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- Optional: lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Pat the chicken dry thoroughly with paper towels. Season both sides evenly with salt, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. This seasoning mixture ensures a well-rounded flavor throughout the dish.
- Dredge in flour: Lightly coat each piece of seasoned chicken in all-purpose flour, shaking off any excess to avoid clumps. This step helps create a crispy exterior when seared.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken pieces in the hot oil, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes on each side until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Then, remove the chicken and set it aside on a plate.
- Sauté the garlic butter sauce: Lower the heat to medium and melt the unsalted butter in the same skillet. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant and lightly golden to develop flavor without burning.
- Combine chicken and sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and spoon the garlic butter sauce over each piece. Cook together for an additional minute so the chicken absorbs the buttery garlic flavor.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the chicken for a fresh herbal note. Serve warm with optional lemon wedges to brighten the dish as desired.
Notes
- This dish pairs wonderfully with mashed potatoes, steamed rice, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
- Both chicken thighs and breasts can be used. Chicken thighs will generally be juicier and more flavorful, while breasts are leaner.
- To maintain the chicken’s crispiness, avoid overcrowding the skillet during cooking.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
