Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Breast
This Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Breast recipe delivers juicy, tender chicken breasts baked in a flavorful garlic butter sauce infused with fresh herbs and lemon, perfect for quick and satisfying meals.
Equipment
- Oven
- Baking Dish
- Mixing Bowl
- Meat Thermometer
Ingredients
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning (or a mix of dried basil, oregano, and thyme)
- 1 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- lemon slices optional, for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture — this helps the seasoning stick better.
Step 2: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce
- In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, paprika, Italian seasoning, chopped parsley, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
Step 3: Season the Chicken
- Place the chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish. Pour the garlic butter sauce evenly over the chicken breasts, ensuring they are well coated. For extra flavor, you can spoon some of the sauce on top and around the chicken to baste during baking.
Step 4: Bake the Chicken
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (75°C). Baking times may vary slightly depending on the thickness of your chicken breasts.
Step 5: Rest and Serve
- Once baked, remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing. This helps retain the juices and keeps the chicken tender. Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon slices if desired, then serve with your favorite sides.
Notes
Use room temperature chicken for even cooking, pound chicken breasts to even thickness if needed, and don’t skip the resting step to keep chicken juicy. You can customize this recipe by adding red pepper flakes for spice, swapping herbs, adding cheese, or marinating overnight for deeper flavor. Leftovers store well refrigerated for 3-4 days.