Are you scrambling for dinner ideas after a long day? There's nothing more satisfying than easy chicken recipes for dinner with few ingredients that deliver big flavor without the fuss. This one-pan garlic butter chicken skillet is exactly what busy families need: tender, juicy chicken breasts cooked in a luscious garlic butter sauce that takes just minutes to prepare. 

Ingredients List

    • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz each)
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • Optional: ½ teaspoon paprika for extra color

For the Garlic Butter Sauce:

    • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
    • 5 cloves garlic, minced
    • ½ cup chicken broth
    • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
    • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
    • Optional: red pepper flakes for a spicy kick

Timing / Cooking Schedule

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cooking time: 20 minutes

Total time: 25 minutes

This recipe is perfect for those hectic evenings when you need dinner on the table fast. Compared to slow-cooker meals that take hours, you'll have this complete meal ready in less time than ordering delivery.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Chicken Pat the chicken breasts completely dry with paper towels—this ensures better browning. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. If your chicken breasts are thick (over 1 inch), pound them to even thickness for uniform cooking.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken breasts and cook undisturbed for 6-7 minutes until golden brown. Flip and cook another 6-7 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove chicken to a plate and tent with foil.

Step 3: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the same skillet (don't wipe it clean—those browned bits add flavor!). Once melted, add minced garlic and sauté for 30-60 seconds until fragrant but not burned. This is where quick and easy chicken dinner recipes truly shine—using simple ingredients to create complex flavor.

Step 4: Build the Sauce Pour in chicken broth and lemon juice, scraping up the browned bits from the pan bottom with a wooden spoon. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly reduced. Taste and adjust seasoning.

Step 5: Finish and Serve Return chicken to the skillet, spooning sauce over top. Simmer for 2 minutes to reheat. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately with your favorite sides.

Nutritional Information

Nutritional Information

Per serving (serves 4):

    • Calories: 315
    • Protein: 42g
    • Carbohydrates: 3g
    • Fat: 15g
    • Fiber: 0g
    • Vitamin C: 8% DV
    • Iron: 6% DV

Tips, Variations, or Cooking Advice

Protein Swaps: Use chicken thighs for juicier, more forgiving results—they're harder to overcook. Turkey cutlets work beautifully too.

Dairy-Free Option: Replace butter with ghee or extra virgin olive oil for a paleo-friendly version.

Keto/Low-Carb: This recipe is already keto-friendly. Serve over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles.

Flavor Variations: Add sun-dried tomatoes, capers, or fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary to the sauce. For creaminess, stir in 2 tablespoons heavy cream at the end.

Meal Prep: Double the recipe and slice cooked chicken for salads, wraps, or grain bowls throughout the week.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overcrowding the Pan: Cook chicken in batches if needed. Crowding drops the pan temperature, causing steaming instead of searing.

Burning the Garlic: Add garlic to melted butter over medium heat, not high. Burned garlic tastes bitter and ruins the whole sauce.

Not Using a Meat Thermometer: Guessing doneness leads to dry chicken. Invest in an instant-read thermometer—it's a game-changer for perfectly cooked poultry.

Skipping the Rest Time: Let chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Cutting immediately releases all the precious juices.

Storage / Leftovers Tips

Store leftover chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The garlic butter sauce may solidify when cold—this is normal and will melt when reheated.

Reheating Instructions: For best results, reheat gently in a covered skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture. Microwave reheating works in a pinch (use 50% power for 2-3 minutes), but stovetop is superior for maintaining texture.

Freezer Storage: Freeze cooked chicken in sauce for up to 3 months in freezer-safe containers. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. This is why easy chicken recipes for dinner with few ingredients are perfect for meal planning—they freeze beautifully and taste fresh when reheated properly. For quick and easy chicken dinner recipes that work for batch cooking, this garlic butter chicken checks all the boxes.