Easy Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Breast Recipe for Weeknight Dinners

Garlic butter and herbs flavor chicken breasts that finish cooking in the oven.

Ingredients

Measure the ingredients below before you begin. Optional additions are marked in the list.

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• 1 tsp dried parsley
• 1 tsp paprika
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
• Lemon wedges (optional, for serving)

How to make it

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature by the time you're ready to bake the chicken.

2. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. This helps the seasoning stick better and ensures a nice, crispy exterior. Season both sides of the chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper.

3. In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, dried thyme, dried rosemary, dried parsley, and paprika. Mix well to create a flavorful garlic butter mixture.

4. Heat the olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken breasts and sear them for 2-3 minutes on each side until they are golden brown. This step browns the surface of the chicken.

5. Remove the skillet from the heat. Pour the garlic butter mixture over the chicken breasts, ensuring they are well coated. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Tips and serving

Check the thickest part of each breast for 165°F (74°C) and rest the meat before slicing.

For more ideas, try Easy 15-Minute Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Recipe or Easy Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe for Quick Weeknight Dinners.