Indulge in the succulent flavors of tender chicken breasts infused with aromatic garlic butter sauce, making for a mouthwatering dish that’s both simple to prepare and incredibly satisfying.
INGREDIENTS:
– 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (5-8 oz. each)
– 1 teaspoon paprika
– Salt and pepper
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– 4 tablespoons butter, melted
– 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
– 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
DIRECTIONS:
1. Begin by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C). While the oven heats up, prepare the chicken breasts by pounding them to an even 1/2-inch thickness using a meat mallet.
2. Season both sides of the chicken breasts generously with paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and chopped parsley, stirring until well mixed to create the garlic butter sauce.
4. Optional: If desired, heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the seasoned chicken breasts in the skillet until they develop a golden-brown crust, approximately 2 minutes per side.
5. Transfer the seared chicken breasts to a baking dish or keep them in the oven-safe skillet. Pour the prepared garlic butter sauce over the chicken breasts, ensuring they are evenly coated.
6. Place the baking dish or skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (75°C) when tested with a meat thermometer.
7. Once cooked, remove the chicken breasts from the oven and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving. Spoon any remaining garlic butter sauce over the chicken just before serving.
8. Serve the garlic butter baked chicken breasts hot, accompanied by your favorite side dishes, and savor the delightful flavors.
Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes | Servings: 4 | Calories: (calculated based on specific ingredients and serving sizes)