Garlic Butter Chicken And Potatoes Skillet Recipe

Sizzling Garlic Butter Chicken and Potatoes Skillet Recipe

Sizzling garlic butter chicken and potatoes skillet dancing with golden, crispy edges that promise incredible flavor.

Aromas of herb-infused butter will instantly make you hungry for this simple yet mouthwatering meal.

Each ingredient promises a delightful journey through rich, comforting tastes that feel like a warm hug.

Weeknight dinners just became seriously exciting with this one-pan wonder that minimizes cleanup and maximizes satisfaction.

Home cooks can effortlessly create restaurant-quality magic in their own kitchen using basic ingredients and straightforward techniques.

Perfectly seasoned chicken and tender potatoes merge into a harmonious dish that screams comfort and deliciousness.

Let’s transform your dinner from ordinary to extraordinary with this irresistible skillet sensation.

Why Garlic Butter Chicken And Potatoes Skillet Recipe Works

  • Flavor-Packed One-Pan Wonder: This skillet dish delivers incredible taste by combining seasoned chicken and crispy potatoes with a rich, buttery garlic sauce that transforms simple ingredients into a mouthwatering meal.
  • Quick and Effortless Cooking: The recipe requires minimal prep time and uses just one skillet, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you want a delicious dinner without complicated cooking techniques or tons of cleanup.
  • Versatile Comfort Food: Easily adaptable to different side dishes and preferences, this chicken and potato skillet offers a satisfying combination of protein and starch that appeals to both adults and kids with its golden, crispy exterior and tender interior.
  • Restaurant-Quality Meal at Home: By using simple techniques like searing chicken and deglazing the pan, home cooks can create a professional-tasting dish that looks and tastes like something from a gourmet restaurant, boosting kitchen confidence and meal enjoyment.

List Of Ingredients For Garlic Butter Chicken And Potatoes Skillet Recipe

Proteins:
  • Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that creates a delicious main dish, best when fresh and boneless.
  • Chicken Broth or Water: Helps deglaze the pan and add moisture to the recipe.
Seasonings:
  • Smoked Paprika, Salt, Pepper: Classic spices that enhance the chicken's natural flavor, providing depth and warmth.
  • Onion Powder: Adds a subtle savory note to the meat.
Vegetables and Herbs:
  • Potatoes: Starchy side that becomes crispy and golden, main accompaniment to the chicken.
  • Garlic: Provides intense aromatic flavor to the butter sauce, fresh cloves are recommended.
  • Fresh Parsley: Bright green herb for garnishing, adds color and fresh taste.
Fats and Liquids:
  • Olive Oil: Helps with cooking and prevents sticking, provides a light base for searing.
  • Butter: Creates a rich, smooth sauce with deep flavor, works best when unsalted.

Simple Guide To Garlic Butter Chicken And Potatoes Skillet Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Chicken

Grab your chicken pieces and give them a loving pat with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Sprinkle a magical blend of seasonings across both sides:
  • Smoked paprika
  • Onion powder
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Massage the spices into the chicken, ensuring every inch gets some love.

Step 2: Crisp Up Potato Magic

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium flame. Gently place potato chunks into the pan, cut side down. Let them dance and sizzle for 6-8 minutes, creating a beautiful golden crust. Flip occasionally to ensure even browning. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Once perfectly crispy, transfer potatoes to a waiting plate.

Step 3: Golden Chicken Sear

In the same sizzling skillet, add a touch more olive oil. Carefully place chicken pieces, allowing them to create a gorgeous golden-brown exterior. Cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until the chicken reaches a perfect internal temperature of 165°F. The meat should look gloriously bronzed and feel firm to the touch. Remove chicken and set aside.

Step 4: Create Liquid Gold Sauce

Reduce heat to medium and introduce butter to the skillet. Watch it melt into a luxurious pool. Toss in minced garlic, stirring for about a minute until its fragrance fills the kitchen. If the pan looks dry, splash in some chicken broth or water, scraping up those delicious browned bits from the bottom.

Step 5: Bring Everything Together

Reunite the crispy potatoes and perfectly seared chicken in the skillet. Gently coat everything in the garlic butter sauce, allowing the flavors to mingle and dance. Warm through for 2-3 minutes, ensuring everything is heated evenly.

Step 6: Serve with Flourish

Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley over the dish for a pop of color and freshness. Slide onto plates with pride. This meal pairs beautifully with:
  • Steamed green beans
  • Crisp garden salad
  • Roasted vegetables

Kitchen Tips For Garlic Butter Chicken And Potatoes Skillet Recipe

  • Maximize Flavor Absorption: Pat chicken completely dry before seasoning to help spices adhere better and create a perfect golden-brown crust.
  • Control Potato Crispiness: Use a cast-iron skillet for maximum browning and ensure potatoes are cut evenly for consistent cooking and crispy texture.
  • Prevent Overcooking Chicken: Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature and avoid dry meat, aiming for exactly 165°F for juicy results.
  • Boost Sauce Depth: Deglaze the pan with chicken broth to capture all the delicious browned bits, adding extra richness and flavor to the garlic butter sauce.
  • Customize for Dietary Needs: Swap butter with olive oil for a dairy-free version, or use chicken thighs for a more budget-friendly and tender alternative.

How To Save Garlic Butter Chicken And Potatoes Skillet Recipe For Later

  • Refrigeration: Store leftover chicken and potatoes in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
  • Freezing: Carefully transfer cooled portions into freezer-safe containers or ziplock bags, ensuring they remain good for up to 2 months when properly sealed.
  • Reheating Skillet Method: Warm leftovers in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth to prevent drying and maintain moisture. Stir occasionally until heated thoroughly, about 5-7 minutes.
  • Microwave Option: Place portions on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel, and reheat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly and preserve the chicken's tenderness.

What To Serve With Garlic Butter Chicken And Potatoes Skillet Recipe

  • Pair with Crisp White Wine: A chilled sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio beautifully complements the rich garlic butter sauce, cutting through the dish's richness with bright, zesty notes.
  • Match with Herbal Craft Beer: A light wheat beer or Belgian-style ale with herbal undertones enhances the garlic and parsley flavors, creating a refreshing balance with the hearty chicken and potatoes.
  • Serve Alongside Tangy Salad: A lemon-dressed mixed green salad with arugula provides a bright, acidic contrast to the skillet's deep, buttery flavors, cleansing the palate between bites.
  • Complement with Roasted Vegetable Medley: A quick side of roasted asparagus or Mediterranean-style grilled vegetables adds extra nutrition and textural variety to the meal, matching the skillet's rustic charm.

How To Mix Up Garlic Butter Chicken And Potatoes Skillet Recipe

  • Herb Infusion Adventure: Replace smoked paprika with a blend of dried thyme, rosemary, and oregano for an aromatic Mediterranean-inspired chicken and potato combination.
  • Spicy Kick Remix: Add cayenne pepper and red pepper flakes to the seasoning mix, creating a zesty version that brings heat and excitement to the classic recipe.
  • Cheesy Southern Comfort: Sprinkle shredded cheddar or parmesan cheese over the chicken and potatoes during the final heating stage, melting into a rich, golden topping.
  • Lemon Zest Upgrade: Incorporate fresh lemon zest into the garlic butter sauce and squeeze lemon juice over the dish before serving, adding bright, tangy notes that complement the chicken's richness.

Garlic Butter Chicken And Potatoes Skillet Recipe FAQ Help

  • Why should I use smoked paprika for seasoning?

Smoked paprika adds a rich, slightly smoky flavor that enhances the chicken’s taste, giving it a deeper and more complex profile compared to regular paprika.

  • Can I use bone-in chicken instead of boneless?

Yes, bone-in chicken works great! Just adjust cooking time and ensure the internal temperature reaches 165F to guarantee it’s fully cooked.

  • What if I don't have chicken broth for deglazing?

Water works perfectly fine. The goal is to loosen those delicious browned bits from the bottom of the skillet, which adds incredible depth of flavor to your sauce.

  • Is there a trick to getting crispy potatoes?

Yes! Cook them cut-side down first and don’t move them too much. This helps develop a golden, crispy exterior that provides a fantastic texture contrast to the tender chicken.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Garlic Butter Chicken And Potatoes Skillet Recipe

Garlic Butter Chicken And Potatoes Skillet Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 28 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Garlic butter chicken and potatoes skillet brings simple comfort to dinner tables with delicious Mediterranean flair. Crispy golden chicken nestles alongside perfectly seasoned potatoes, creating a hearty one-pan meal anyone can master in minutes.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein:

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts

Vegetables:

  • 1 pound (454 grams) baby potatoes, halved (or quartered if large)
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced

Seasonings and Liquids:

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme or rosemary
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • ¼ cup chicken broth or water (optional, for deglazing)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken by gently patting it dry with clean kitchen towels, then season thoroughly with smoky paprika, aromatic onion powder, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
  2. Warm olive oil in a spacious cast-iron skillet over moderate heat. Carefully arrange potato wedges cut-side down, allowing them to develop a golden, crispy exterior through gentle cooking. Rotate occasionally to ensure even browning and sprinkle with seasoning. Once perfectly caramelized, transfer potatoes to a separate plate.
  3. Using the same skillet, introduce additional olive oil and carefully place seasoned chicken pieces. Sear each side until a rich, amber-brown crust forms, ensuring the meat reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
  4. Reduce cooking temperature and introduce rich, creamy butter to the skillet. Quickly incorporate finely minced garlic, allowing its pungent aroma to bloom. If the pan appears dry, splash chicken broth to deglaze and capture those flavorful caramelized remnants.
  5. Reunite the golden potatoes and perfectly cooked chicken within the aromatic skillet. Gently tumble everything to ensure an even coating of the luxurious garlic butter sauce. Warm through for a few moments to marry the flavors.
  6. Finish the dish by scattering freshly chopped parsley across the surface. Serve immediately alongside crisp green vegetables or a light salad for a complete, satisfying meal.

Notes

  • Ensure chicken is thoroughly dried before seasoning to achieve a crispy, golden-brown exterior that locks in moisture and flavor.
  • Use a cast-iron skillet for even heat distribution and better caramelization of potatoes and chicken, creating a restaurant-quality dish at home.
  • Adjust cooking times based on chicken thickness – thinner cutlets will cook faster, while thicker pieces might require slightly longer searing to reach proper internal temperature.
  • For a low-carb version, swap potatoes with cauliflower or zucchini chunks, maintaining the same delicious garlic butter sauce and cooking technique.
  • Control the heat carefully when making the garlic butter sauce to prevent burning, which can create a bitter taste and ruin the delicate flavor profile.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 410
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 600 mg
  • Fat: 22 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 26 g
  • Cholesterol: 90 mg
James Mitchell

James Mitchell

Founder & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Recipe Creation and Testing​, Fusion Cuisine​, Food Styling and Photography​, Culinary Education​

Education

Kendall College, Chicago, IL

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classic and modern cooking techniques, with a specialization in international cuisines.​

The Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, NY

  • Program: Advanced Certificate in Gastronomy
  • Focus: In-depth studies of global food cultures, flavor profiling, and innovative recipe development.​

James Mitchell is the founder and fearless flavor explorer at Cooking Crusade. With a degree in Culinary Arts from Kendall College and advanced training in global gastronomy from The Culinary Institute of America, James has spent over a decade perfecting the art of recipe creation. 

His background includes fine dining, private cheffing, and food styling, but his true joy comes from turning big ideas into doable recipes for home cooks. Every dish he shares is a mix of creativity, culture, and a little kitchen magic, built to bring excitement back to everyday meals.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star