Sautéed Garlic Butter Chicken with Herb-Infused Rice
Tender chicken breasts pan-seared in garlic butter served over fluffy herb-infused rice for a comforting, flavorful meal. This international-inspired chicken ready in about 40 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken breasts, unsalted butter, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 pieces (6 oz each) boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup long grain white rice under cold water until water runs clear. In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed rice with 2 cups chicken broth and 1/2 tsp salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low, cover, and simmer for 18 minutes until rice is tender and liquid absorbed. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork, then stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley.
- Step 2: While the rice cooks, pat dry 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (6 oz each) and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 1 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp unsalted butter. Once butter melts and foams, add the chicken breasts and sear for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium-low and add remaining 1 tbsp unsalted butter and 4 minced garlic cloves. Sauté garlic for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden, scraping up any browned bits from the chicken. Remove skillet from heat and stir in 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice.
- Step 4: Serve the chicken breasts atop the herb-infused rice and drizzle the garlic butter sauce over the top for a rich, flavorful finish.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Garlic Butter Chicken with Herb-Infused Rice take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Sautéed Garlic Butter Chicken with Herb-Infused Rice?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep unsalted butter from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Garlic Butter Chicken with Herb-Infused Rice?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Sautéed Garlic Butter Chicken with Herb-Infused Rice for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Sautéed Garlic Butter Chicken with Herb-Infused Rice?
International chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Simple but so flavorful. The garlic butter sauce was rich without being heavy. Will definitely make again.
- ★★★★★
Made this for date night and it was a hit! The herb-infused rice was so aromatic and the chicken had great flavor.
- ★★★★★
Perfect weeknight meal. The recipe was easy to follow and the flavors were amazing. Leftover chicken was great for lunch.
