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Juicy Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Breast Recipe with Fresh Herbs Easy and Perfect

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A simple and foolproof baked chicken breast recipe featuring garlic butter and fresh herbs that results in juicy, flavorful, and tender chicken perfect for busy weeknights or casual meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 ounces/170g each)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (about 60g), softened
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
  • Juice of half a lemon (about 1 tablespoon)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil, for greasing the baking dish
  • Optional: pinch of smoked paprika or dash of crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped fresh parsley, thyme, rosemary, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Mix well until fully blended and fragrant.
  3. Grease your baking dish lightly with olive oil to prevent sticking.
  4. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
  5. Using a brush or the back of a spoon, slather the garlic butter mixture evenly over both sides of each chicken breast.
  6. Arrange the chicken breasts side by side in the prepared baking dish, making sure they’re not crowded.
  7. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, cut into the thickest part to check that juices run clear.
  8. Optional: For a golden, slightly crisp top, switch your oven to broil for the last 2-3 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
  9. Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Patting the chicken dry before applying the butter mixture helps with browning and flavor adherence. Use fresh herbs for best flavor; dried herbs can be substituted at one-third the amount. Resting the chicken after baking ensures juiciness. Optional broiling at the end adds a crispy top. Leftover garlic butter is great drizzled over vegetables or mashed potatoes. For dairy-free, substitute butter with vegan margarine or coconut oil.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked chicken breast, garlic butter chicken, fresh herbs, easy chicken recipe, juicy chicken breast, weeknight dinner, simple chicken recipe

Find it online: https://merrymorsel.com/juicy-garlic-butter-baked-chicken-breast-recipe-with-fresh-herbs-easy-and-perfect/