Garlic Butter Chicken

This is the kind of dinner that feels like more effort than it is. Chicken breasts get a proper golden sear, then finish in a quick garlic butter sauce that you spoon right over the top. It comes together in one pan in about half an hour.

Serve it over rice, mashed potatoes, or pasta, anything that’ll soak up the extra sauce, which is genuinely the best part.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lb chicken breast
• 4 tbsp butter
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. If the chicken breasts are thick, slice them in half horizontally so they cook quickly and evenly.
2. Pat the chicken dry and season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
3. Heat the olive oil with 1 tablespoon of the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Sear the chicken 4–6 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through (165°F / 74°C internal).
5. Lower the heat and add the remaining butter and the minced garlic.
6. Sauté the garlic for about 1 minute, just until fragrant, but don't let it brown.
7. Spoon the garlic butter over the chicken, let it rest 5 minutes, and serve.

Equipment

• Large skillet
• Meat thermometer