Easy Skillet Garlic Butter Chicken

Need an easy and flavorful chicken dinner that cooks in just minutes? Then garlic butter chicken is for you! This delicious one-pan meal can be made with fresh chicken or leftover chicken, and you and your family will absolutely love it!

Suitable for Low Carb, Keto and Gluten Free Diets. Post includes Weight Watchers points.

Friends, I love recipes that are simple to make yet bursting with flavor. And this skillet garlic butter chicken is one of my faves. It’s a good thing that this garlic butter chicken only takes a few minutes to cook because the simple spices, salty butter, and earthy garlic will make your mouth water while this dish cooks.

In just 15 minutes, you can make this one-pan garlic chicken using fresh, raw chicken or you can use leftover cooked chicken to get dinner on the table even faster. I always seem to have leftover chicken, and I love how this recipe gives my leftovers new life. 

What’s more, this flavorful chicken dish cooks from start to finish in one skillet, so cleanup is a total breeze. This recipe is a busy family’s answer to flavorful home-cooked meals. 

Why Make This Recipe

• Flavorful – This garlic butter chicken tastes like something you get in a fancy Italian restaurant. 
• Fast and Easy – Cooks in one pan and is ready in 15 minutes.
• Budget-Friendly – Use ingredients you already have in your pantry, plus you can make this with leftover chicken. 

Ingredient Notes

• Chicken – Use boneless, skinless chicken cut into cubes. 
• Onion Powder – Onion powder adds a lovely onion flavor without adding chunks of onions. 
• Olive Oil – Use any light, neutral-flavored oil.
• Butter – Use salted or unsalted but be sure to check for seasoning before serving. 
• Chicken Broth – Chicken broth adds a nice flavor, but you can use water in a pinch.
• Garlic Paste – This easy shortcut comes in a tube and keeps for a long while. Freshly grated garlic can be substituted. 
• Salt and Pepper – These basic seasonings work well in any dish. 

How To Make One Pan Garlic Butter Chicken

Get full ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

Raw Chicken Instructions

1. Season cubed chicken with salt, pepper and onion powder. 
2. Melt a quarter-cup of butter and one tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet.
3. Add the chicken and cook until all sides are golden brown and the chicken is cooked through.
4. Move chicken to one side, add the remaining butter, mix in the garlic paste and cook for 20 seconds until the garlic is fragrant, then add the broth, stirring to combine. 
5. Combine the chicken with the sauce, making sure it is well coated. 
6. Switch off the heat, serve and enjoy.

Leftover Chicken Instructions

1. Season leftover chicken.
2. In a pan on medium heat, saute the garlic paste and butter until bubbly (skip the oil).
3. Add the chicken and the broth and sauté until the chicken is warmed through and well coated in the sauce. 

Note: it is important to always check for doneness with a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should be 165F / 74C when inserted into the thickest part of chicken breasts.

Tips For Success

• Cut the chicken into even-sized cubes for even cooking. 
• When cooking chicken in the butter, keep the chicken moving around the pan to coat it on all sides and cook it evenly. 
• Don’t let the heat get too high or the butter may begin to burn. 
• Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any bits when you add the broth. This deglazing process will add tons of flavor. 

Variations

• Use White Wine – Skip the chicken broth and use white wine instead. It will add an amazing depth of flavor to the dish. 
• Add Spice – Add a bit of crushed red pepper when adding the garlic to give the sauce a zesty zing. 
• Use Shrimp – Swap the chicken for shrimp.

Budget-Friendly Tips 

• Buy Chicken In Bulk – Purchase chicken in bulk or when it is on sale and store it in the freezer for later use. 
• Use Fresh Garlic – Garlic paste is convenient but can be expensive. Fresh garlic keeps for a long time and you can grate it on a Microplane to get a garlic paste consistency. 
• Make Chicken Broth – Save leftover chicken bones and veggies in a bag in the freezer. When the bag is full, add to a stockpot of water and boil until you have a flavorful and practically free chicken broth. 
• Make It A Meal – Make this skillet garlic butter chicken a full meal by pairing it with potatoes, rice, pasta or your favorite veggies or salad. 

Prep Ahead And Storage

• Prep Ahead – Cube the chicken ahead of time. If serving with pasta or rice, make it in advance and reheat it when the chicken is ready. 
• Store – Place leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. 
• Freeze – Freeze the leftovers in a freezer-safe bag and use them within three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in a skillet. 

Meal Prep

• Enjoy this meal the first night and the leftovers for 3 more days. 
• Make a double batch and eat the leftovers during the week or freeze them for later. 
• Make this with leftover chicken from another meal. 
• Take garlic butter chicken for lunch. Serve it on a salad or in a wrap. 

FAQs

Serving Suggestions

• Dump and Start Instant Pot Coconut Rice.
• Garlic Mashed Potatoes.
• Pasta with Zucchini and Tomatoes.

More Recipes You May Like

• Pineapple Grilled Chicken Kabobs.
• Oven Baked Chicken Tenders.
• Baked Ranch Chicken.

Weight Watchers Points

There are 10 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.

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