Description
This Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Breast recipe features tender, juicy chicken breasts seared to golden perfection and baked with a flavorful garlic herb butter sauce. With fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, and rosemary enhancing the savory butter and garlic, this dish is simple yet elegant, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or an impressive meal for guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Garlic Butter Herb Sauce
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure a hot environment for baking the chicken evenly.
- Season the chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides generously with salt and pepper to enhance their natural flavor.
- Prepare the garlic butter mixture: In a small bowl, combine the melted butter with minced garlic, chopped parsley, thyme leaves, and rosemary to create a rich and aromatic sauce.
- Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and sear each side for 2-3 minutes until they develop a golden brown crust, locking in the juices.
- Add the garlic butter sauce: Pour the prepared garlic butter mixture evenly over the seared chicken breasts, coating them well to infuse the flavors during baking.
- Bake the chicken: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C), ensuring it’s fully cooked and tender.
- Rest and serve: Remove the skillet from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute before serving, resulting in moist and flavorful chicken breasts.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to accurately check the doneness of the chicken to prevent overcooking.
- The recipe can be doubled easily by using a larger skillet or baking dish.
- Fresh herbs provide the best flavor, but dried herbs can be substituted; use about one-third the amount when using dried.
- The garlic butter sauce can be reserved to drizzle over vegetables or mashed potatoes for extra flavor.
- Ensure the skillet is oven-safe before transferring it to the oven to avoid damage or accidents.
