Baked Chicken Breast in Garlic Butter Sauce

Juicy, tender chicken breasts baked in a rich garlic butter sauce until golden and flavorful. This easy dinner requires simple ingredients and pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes, rice, pasta, or roasted vegetables.

🍗 Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon dried parsley
• ½ cup chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
• ½ lemon, cut into wedges, optional

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prepare the Oven

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

2. Prepare the Chicken

Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels.

If the breasts are very thick, gently pound them to an even thickness so they cook more evenly.

Season both sides with paprika, Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.

3. Make the Garlic Butter Sauce

In a small bowl, combine:

• Melted butter
• Olive oil
• Minced garlic
• Chicken broth
• Parmesan cheese
• Dried parsley

Mix well.

4. Assemble the Dish

Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish.

Pour the garlic butter mixture over and around the chicken.

Turn the chicken once so it’s coated with the sauce.

5. Bake

Cover the dish loosely with foil and bake for 15 minutes.

Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10–20 minutes, depending on the thickness of the chicken.

The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part.

Spoon the garlic butter sauce over the chicken once or twice during baking.

6. Rest the Chicken

Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Spoon the flavorful garlic butter sauce over each chicken breast.

Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges if desired.

⭐ Tips for Juicy Chicken

• Don’t overbake the chicken. A meat thermometer is the best way to check doneness.
• Pound very thick breasts to an even thickness.
• Let the chicken rest before slicing.
• Spoon the pan sauce over the chicken before serving.
• Freshly minced garlic gives the sauce the best flavor.

🥔 What to Serve With It

This chicken goes wonderfully with:

• Creamy mashed potatoes
• White or brown rice
• Buttered noodles
• Roasted potatoes
• Steamed broccoli
• Green beans
• Roasted carrots
• Garlic bread
• Simple garden salad

🌶️ Optional Variations

For extra flavor, add:

• Red pepper flakes for heat
• Fresh rosemary or thyme
• Sliced mushrooms
• Spinach
• Sun-dried tomatoes
• A splash of heavy cream for a creamy garlic sauce

⏱️ Recipe Details

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30–35 minutes
Rest Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: About 50 minutes
Servings: 4
Method: Oven-baked
Difficulty: Easy