Description
Savor the succulent flavors of tender chicken breasts infused with aromatic garlic butter sauce in this simple yet incredibly satisfying dish. With just a few ingredients and easy steps, you can create a mouthwatering meal that’s sure to become a favorite in your recipe repertoire
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (5–8 oz. each)
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat Your Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C). While the oven heats up, prepare the chicken breasts by pounding them to an even 1/2-inch thickness using a meat mallet.
- Season Chicken Breasts: Season both sides of the chicken breasts generously with paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Prepare Garlic Butter Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and chopped parsley, stirring until well mixed to create the garlic butter sauce.
- Optional: Sear Chicken Breasts: If desired, heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the seasoned chicken breasts in the skillet until they develop a golden-brown crust, approximately 2 minutes per side.
- Coat Chicken with Sauce: Transfer the seared chicken breasts to a baking dish or keep them in the oven-safe skillet. Pour the prepared garlic butter sauce over the chicken breasts, ensuring they are evenly coated.
- Bake Chicken: Place the baking dish or skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (75°C) when tested with a meat thermometer.
- Rest and Serve: Once cooked, remove the chicken breasts from the oven and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving. Spoon any remaining garlic butter sauce over the chicken just before serving.
- Enjoy: Serve the garlic butter baked chicken breasts hot, accompanied by your favorite side dishes, and savor the delightful flavors.
Notes
Serving Suggestions:
- Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Before serving, garnish the garlic butter baked chicken breasts with additional fresh parsley or chopped herbs for a pop of color and added flavor.
- Pair with Side Dishes: Serve the chicken breasts with a variety of side dishes such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, steamed rice, or a crisp salad to complete the meal.
- Drizzle with Extra Sauce: For an extra burst of flavor, drizzle any remaining garlic butter sauce from the baking dish over the chicken breasts just before serving.
- Slice or Serve Whole: Depending on your preference, you can either slice the chicken breasts into medallions or serve them whole for an elegant presentation.
- Accompany with Sauces: Offer additional sauces such as barbecue sauce, honey mustard, or tzatziki on the side for dipping or drizzling over the chicken.
Storage Tips:
- Refrigeration: Store any leftover garlic butter baked chicken breasts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: If you want to freeze the chicken breasts, allow them to cool completely, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
- Reheating: When ready to enjoy the leftovers, reheat the chicken breasts in the microwave or oven until heated through. For best results, sprinkle a little water over the chicken before reheating to prevent them from drying out.
- Meal Prep: Prepare a batch of garlic butter baked chicken breasts ahead of time for quick and easy meal prep. Store them in individual portions for convenient lunches or dinners throughout the week.
- Salad Topping: Chop leftover chicken breasts and use them as a topping for salads or sandwiches for a flavorful protein boost.