Skillet Chicken with Garlic Herb Butter Sauce
A quick and easy skillet chicken recipe featuring a savory garlic herb butter sauce that makes weeknight dinners feel special without much fuss.
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 350kcal
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 pieces boneless skinless chicken breasts or 6 to 8 boneless thighs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil adjust based on preference
- 4 tablespoons butter divided
- 4-6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning or mixed dried herbs
- 1 piece fresh lemon for squeezing at the end
Optional Ingredients
- 2-3 tablespoons flour for a light coating, helps with browning
- 1/3 cup chicken broth optional for a saucier pan
- a handful parsley, chopped optional but adds freshness
Seasoning
- to taste salt and pepper do not be shy
Instructions
Preparation
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and pepper, and lightly dust with flour if desired.
Cooking
- Heat a large skillet over medium high heat, add olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter. When butter melts and sizzles, it's ready.
- Add the chicken in a single layer and cook for 4 to 6 minutes without moving it. Flip and cook another 4 to 6 minutes until cooked through.
- Transfer chicken to a plate, lower heat to medium, and add remaining butter, then garlic and Italian seasoning. Stir for about 30 seconds.
- If desired, add a splash of chicken broth and stir to loosen the browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan.
- Return chicken to skillet for 1 to 2 minutes, spooning sauce over top. Squeeze lemon juice over everything and sprinkle with parsley if using.
Notes
Start with dry chicken for better browning. Pound thick chicken breasts for even cooking. Let chicken rest briefly after cooking to keep it juicy. Perfect to serve with cozy sides like mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread.