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Quick Garlic Butter Chicken and Potatoes Skillet: The Ultimate Weeknight Wonder 🧄🍗🥔✨
1. Introduction
Are you searching for a hassle-free, absolutely delicious meal that’s ready in minutes? Look no further! This Quick Garlic Butter Chicken and Potatoes Skillet recipe is the answer to your weeknight dinner dilemmas. It’s perfect for those busy evenings when you crave something comforting and packed with flavor, but don’t have hours to spend toiling away in the kitchen. This one-pan wonder magically combines succulent, tender chicken and perfectly golden potatoes, all enveloped in a rich, irresistible garlicky butter sauce that will absolutely tantalize your taste buds. Seriously, get ready for some major flavor! It’s an easy chicken and potatoes skillet dish that’s practically guaranteed to become a family favorite in no time. Whether you consider yourself a seasoned culinary pro or a complete beginner just starting out, this garlic butter chicken skillet recipe is incredibly simple, deeply satisfying, and unbelievably quick to prepare. So, let’s dive right in, get cooking, and transform a few simple, everyday ingredients into a truly mouthwatering dinner that everyone will rave about!
2. Why This Recipe Works
This Quick Garlic Butter Chicken and Potatoes Skillet truly stands out from the crowd because of its beautiful simplicity and incredible depth of flavor. Using a short and sweet list of readily available ingredients, you have the power to create a restaurant-quality meal right in the comfort of your own home. The star of the show, that buttery garlic sauce, infuses every single bite (chicken and potatoes!) with an unforgettable rich flavor, while the convenient one-pan cooking method makes cleanup an absolute breeze, which is always a win! It’s a fantastic quick chicken dinner recipe that fits seamlessly into even the craziest, most demanding schedules. Talk about convenient! Plus, and this is a big plus, it’s incredibly easy to customize! Feel free to add your favorite vegetables, fresh or dried herbs, or spices to perfectly tailor it to your specific tastes and preferences. Want a little kick? Add some red pepper flakes! The real secret to success here is to use the highest-quality ingredients you can find and let all those delicious flavors meld together beautifully in the skillet, creating a cohesive and deeply satisfying dish.
If you love easy skillet dinners, you might also enjoy this Easy Hamburger and Potato Casserole or even this Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole.
3. Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1.5 lbs Yukon gold potatoes, diced
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
4. Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Sauté the Potatoes
In a large skillet (cast iron works great!), melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Once melted and shimmering, add the diced potatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are slightly tender and beautifully golden brown, about 8-10 minutes. Season generously with salt and pepper. Once cooked, remove the potatoes from the skillet and set them aside in a bowl for later.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
Now, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the same skillet you used for the potatoes. Let it melt completely. Add the chicken pieces in a single layer (don’t overcrowd the pan – cook in batches if necessary) and cook until they are browned on all sides and cooked through completely, about 6-8 minutes. Season generously with salt, pepper, dried thyme, and paprika. Make sure each and every piece is nicely and evenly coated with the spices for the absolute best, most flavorful results.
Step 3: Add Garlic and Butter Sauce
Time for the magic! Add the freshly minced garlic to the skillet and cook for about 1 minute, or until you can really smell that wonderful, fragrant garlic aroma. But be extra careful not to burn the garlic – burnt garlic is bitter and will ruin the flavor of the dish! Return the cooked potatoes to the skillet, nestling them amongst the chicken. Pour in the chicken broth, then stir everything together gently, ensuring that both the chicken and potatoes are completely and evenly coated in that luscious garlic butter sauce. This is where the flavors really start to come together!
Step 4: Simmer and Serve
Cover the skillet tightly with a lid and let it simmer gently for about 5 minutes or so, allowing all those wonderful flavors to really meld together into a harmonious symphony of deliciousness. Remove the skillet from the heat. Garnish generously with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of fresh flavor and vibrant color. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy your incredibly delicious and satisfying Quick Garlic Butter Chicken and Potatoes Skillet! You’ve earned it!
5. Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Skillet
- Use High-Quality Butter: The flavor of the butter is absolutely crucial in this recipe, as it’s a key component of the sauce. So, opt for a really good quality brand of butter – it makes a noticeable difference!
- Don’t Overcrowd the Skillet: Resist the urge to pile everything into the skillet at once! Cook the chicken and potatoes in smaller batches if necessary to ensure that they brown properly and cook evenly. Overcrowding leads to steaming instead of browning, which will affect the overall texture and flavor.
- Adjust Seasonings: Taste, taste, taste! As you’re cooking, take a moment to taste and adjust the seasonings according to your personal preferences. Feel free to add more garlic if you’re a garlic lover, or experiment with different herbs to create your own signature flavor profile.
- Add Vegetables: Want to boost the nutritional value and flavor even more? Include other vegetables like colorful bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange), sliced onions, or diced zucchini for added nutrients, texture, and flavor.
- Make it Spicy: Craving a little heat? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes (or more, depending on your spice tolerance!) to the skillet while cooking for a delightful kick.
6. Variations and Substitutions
Get creative and customize this recipe to your heart’s content! Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Chicken Thighs: For a richer, more succulent flavor, substitute the chicken breasts with boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Chicken thighs tend to be more forgiving and stay moister during cooking.
- Sweet Potatoes: For a slightly sweeter and more nutritious twist, use diced sweet potatoes instead of Yukon gold potatoes. The sweetness of the sweet potatoes pairs beautifully with the garlic butter sauce.
- Dairy-Free: For a dairy-free version of this dish, simply use olive oil or coconut oil instead of butter. The flavor will be slightly different, but still delicious!
- Use different vegetable combinations: Have you tried to add broccoli? If not, check this garlic butter chicken and potatoes skillet with broccoli
- Add Cheese: If you’re a cheese lover, sprinkle some freshly grated Parmesan cheese (or your favorite cheese) over the skillet during the last few minutes of cooking for a delicious, cheesy delight.
- Lemon Juice: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice right before serving can really brighten up the flavors of this dish and add a touch of acidity that balances the richness of the garlic butter sauce perfectly.
Looking for inspiration for Lunch or Dinner? Check our Lunch recipes, or check our Dinner recipes
7. Serving Suggestions
This Quick Garlic Butter Chicken and Potatoes Skillet is truly a complete and satisfying meal all on its own! However, it also pairs incredibly well with a simple side dish such as a crisp green salad or some steamed vegetables. A warm side of crusty bread is also absolutely perfect for soaking up every last delicious bit of that flavorful garlic butter sauce! For a more substantial and hearty meal, consider serving it alongside a fluffy quinoa or rice pilaf. Get ready for some serious deliciousness!
You can also check our recipes page to find something else to try!
If you enjoyed this recipe, you might also like this Quick Chicken Stuffing Bake or this Quick and Simple Fiesta Chicken Casserole.
8. Storage and Reheating Instructions
Storage: Store any leftover Quick Garlic Butter Chicken and Potatoes Skillet in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make sure it cools down completely before refrigerating it.
Reheating: When you’re ready to enjoy your leftovers, reheat them in a skillet over medium heat until they are warmed through. You may need to add a splash of chicken broth or a bit of water to the skillet to prevent the chicken and potatoes from drying out during reheating. Alternatively, you can also reheat it in the microwave in short intervals, stirring in between each interval, until it’s heated through completely. Be careful not to overheat it, or the chicken could become dry.
Another thing you can try is this Melt In Your Mouth Chicken Bake, or this Quick Taco Casserole. You will love them!
9. Conclusion
This amazing Quick Garlic Butter Chicken and Potatoes Skillet is an absolute lifesaver on those hectic and busy weeknights when you’re short on time but still want a flavorful, home-cooked meal. With its short list of simple, easily accessible ingredients and its clear, straightforward instructions, you can have a completely delicious and truly satisfying meal on the table and ready to eat in absolutely no time at all. The mouthwatering combination of tender, juicy chicken, perfectly golden potatoes, and that unforgettable, flavorful garlic butter sauce makes it a dish that’s guaranteed to be a total crowd-pleaser – even the pickiest eaters will love it! So, the next time you find yourself short on time but still craving something truly delicious and comforting, be sure to give this incredibly easy chicken and potatoes skillet recipe a try. We promise you won’t be disappointed! Go ahead and enjoy this absolutely fantastic garlic butter chicken skillet recipe, and make your dinner time a total breeze! And if you are a fan of casseroles, why not try this Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole.
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Quick Garlic Butter Chicken And Potatoes Skillet Recipe for Busy Nights
Quick Garlic Butter Chicken and Potatoes Skillet is the ultimate weeknight wonder that’s simple, satisfying, and ready in minutes. This one-pan dish combines tender chicken and golden potatoes in a rich, garlicky butter sauce, making it a family favorite for busy nights.
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1.5 lbs Yukon gold potatoes, diced
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
Instructions
- In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat and sauté the diced potatoes until tender and golden brown, about 8-10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
- Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, then the chicken pieces. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes, seasoning with salt, pepper, thyme, and paprika.
- Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Return the potatoes, pour in the chicken broth, and stir to coat everything in the garlic butter sauce.
- Cover and simmer for about 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use high-quality butter for the best flavor.
- Do not overcrowd the skillet; cook in batches if needed.
- Adjust seasonings to your preference; add more garlic or herbs if desired.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini.
- For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten-Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 480 Kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 100mg