Description
This Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Breast recipe delivers tender, juicy chicken infused with the rich flavors of garlic and butter. It’s the perfect weeknight main course: simple, quick to assemble, and big on flavor with minimal ingredients. Serve it alongside your favorite sides for a comforting, satisfying meal everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb total)
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional for color and flavor)
Garlic Butter Sauce
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped (plus more for garnish)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a baking dish large enough to hold the chicken breasts in a single layer.
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika (if using) for extra color and flavor.
- Make Garlic Butter Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, and Italian seasoning (if using) until well combined.
- Coat the Chicken: Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish. Pour the garlic butter mixture evenly over the top, making sure the chicken is well coated. Reserve a little sauce for basting, if desired.
- Bake: Bake the chicken, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes or until the thickest part of the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Baste and Rest: Halfway through baking, spoon the pan juices over the chicken. Once cooked, remove from the oven, baste again with the buttery juices, and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle with extra chopped fresh parsley and pour a little more pan sauce over the top before serving for added flavor and moisture.
Notes
- For even cooking, pound chicken breasts to an even thickness using a meat mallet.
- Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for brightness before serving.
- Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Great served with roasted veggies, mashed potatoes, or over rice.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 430mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
