Introduction:
Garlic butter chicken is a delicious and easy recipe that you can make in 30 minutes or less. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, or when you want to impress your guests with a restaurant-quality dish. This recipe uses simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry, such as butter, garlic, herbs, and chicken. The result is tender and juicy chicken breasts coated in a rich and flavorful garlic butter sauce. You can serve this garlic butter chicken with rice, pasta, salad, or any side dish you like.
In this article, I will show you how to make a garlic butter chicken recipe step by step and share some tips and variations to make it even better. I will also answer some frequently asked questions about this recipe, and provide a printable recipe card at the end of the article.
Ingredients for Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe
To make this easy garlic butter chicken recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/4 teaspoon dried parsley
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup chicken broth or white wine
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
How to Make Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe
Here are the steps to make this easy garlic butter chicken recipe:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a baking dish.
- Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness using a meat mallet or a rolling pin. This will help them cook evenly and faster.
- Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and dried herbs.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil and add the chicken breasts in a single layer. Cook for about 5 minutes per side, or until golden and almost cooked through. Transfer the chicken breasts to the prepared baking dish and keep warm.
- In the same skillet over medium-low heat, melt the butter and add the garlic. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring frequently, until fragrant and lightly golden. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
- Add the chicken broth or wine and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 2 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Pour the garlic butter sauce over the chicken breasts and bake for about 10 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce is bubbly.
- Sprinkle some fresh parsley over the garlic butter chicken and serve hot with your favorite side dish.
Tips and Variations for Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe
Here are some tips and variations to make this garlic butter chicken recipe even better:
- You can use boneless skinless chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts if you prefer dark meat. Adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- You can use fresh herbs instead of dried herbs for more flavor. Use about 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh herbs for each 1/4 teaspoon of dried herbs.
- You can add some lemon juice or zest to the garlic butter sauce for a tangy twist.
- You can add some grated Parmesan cheese or mozzarella cheese to the garlic butter chicken before baking for a cheesy version.
- You can add some sliced mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, spinach, or asparagus to the baking dish for some extra veggies.
Benefits of Garlic for Health and Wellness
Garlic is not only a delicious and aromatic ingredient, but also a powerful natural remedy for various health issues. Garlic has been used for centuries as a medicine, and modern research has confirmed its many benefits. Some of the benefits of garlic are:
- It boosts the immune system and helps fight infections, such as colds, flu, and sore throat.
- It lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels and prevents cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attack and stroke.
- It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and protects the body from oxidative stress and chronic diseases, such as cancer and diabetes.
- It improves digestion and metabolism and helps detoxify the liver and kidneys.
- It enhances brain function and memory and prevents cognitive decline and dementia.
To enjoy the benefits of garlic, you can eat it raw or cooked, or take it as a supplement. However, you should consult your doctor before taking garlic if you have any medical conditions or allergies, or if you are taking any medications.
History of Butter Chicken: From Delhi to the World
Butter chicken is one of the most popular dishes in Indian cuisine and a favorite among many people around the world. But do you know how this dish came to be? Here is a brief history of butter chicken:
- Butter chicken originated in Delhi, the capital of India, in the 1940s. It was created by Kundan Lal Gujral, the owner of a restaurant called Moti Mahal. He used to cook chicken in a tandoor (a clay oven) and serve it with a sauce made of butter, tomatoes, cream, and spices. The dish was an instant hit among his customers, especially the refugees who came from Pakistan after the partition of India.
- Butter chicken soon became a signature dish of Moti Mahal, and attracted many celebrities and dignitaries, such as Jawaharlal Nehru (the first prime minister of India), Indira Gandhi (the daughter of Nehru and also a prime minister of India), Richard Nixon (the president of the United States), and John F. Kennedy (another president of the United States).
- Butter chicken spread to other parts of India and the world through the branches of Moti Mahal and other restaurants that copied or adapted the recipe. Today, butter chicken is one of the most popular dishes in Indian restaurants around the world, and has many variations, such as chicken tikka masala, chicken makhani, and murgh makhani.
Variations of Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe
If you want to try some different ways to make a garlic butter chicken recipe, here are some variations that you can experiment with:
- Garlic Butter Chicken with Lemon: Add some lemon juice or zest to the garlic butter sauce for a tangy twist. You can also add some capers or olives for some extra flavor.
- Garlic Butter Chicken with Cheese: Add some grated Parmesan cheese or mozzarella cheese to the garlic butter chicken before baking for a cheesy version. You can also sprinkle some more cheese on top after baking.
- Garlic Butter Chicken with Mushrooms: Add some sliced mushrooms to the skillet along with the garlic butter sauce. You can also use mushroom broth instead of chicken broth or wine for more mushroom flavor.
- Garlic Butter Chicken with Spinach: Add some fresh or frozen spinach to the baking dish along with the garlic butter chicken. You can also add some cream cheese or sour cream to the garlic butter sauce for a creamy version.
- Garlic Butter Chicken with Bacon: Cook some bacon in the same skillet before adding the garlic butter sauce. Crumble the bacon and sprinkle it over the garlic butter chicken before or after baking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about this garlic butter chicken recipe:
How do I know when the chicken is done?
The best way to check if the chicken is done is to use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C) when inserted into the thickest part of the meat.
How do I store and reheat leftover garlic butter chicken?
You can store leftover garlic butter chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat it, you can microwave it on a microwave-safe plate for about 2 minutes, or bake it in a preheated oven at 350°F (177°C) for about 15 minutes, or until heated through.
Can I freeze garlic butter chicken?
Yes, you can freeze garlic butter chicken in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag for up to 3 months. To thaw it, you can transfer it to the refrigerator overnight, or microwave it on a defrost setting for a few minutes. Then reheat it as instructed above.
Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe Video
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