Garlic Butter Chicken & Potatoes
A quick, comforting, and flavorful one-pan meal featuring juicy chicken thighs or breasts and tender baby potatoes cooked in a rich garlic butter sauce, brightened with fresh lemon juice and parsley. Ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights or casual dinners.
- Author: Emily
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Protein
- 4 boneless chicken thighs or breasts
Vegetables & Herbs
- 1 lb baby potatoes, rinsed and halved if large
- 3–4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Dairy & Fats
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Other
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Prep the Chicken and Potatoes: Rinse the baby potatoes and cut any larger ones in half to ensure even cooking. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, then season generously with salt and pepper to build a solid flavor foundation.
- Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: Melt the unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, allowing the butter to absorb the garlic essence which forms the base of the sauce.
- Brown the Chicken: Place the seasoned chicken pieces in the skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes on each side until the chicken turns golden brown and is nearly cooked through, helping to lock in juices and form a beautiful crust.
- Cook the Potatoes: Push the chicken to one side of the skillet. Add the baby potatoes along with a drizzle of olive oil. Cover the skillet and cook for approximately 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are tender and fully cooked.
- Combine and Finish: Mix the chicken and potatoes together in the garlic butter sauce. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and sprinkle chopped parsley on top to brighten the flavors and enhance presentation. Serve immediately for best taste.
Notes
- Let chicken sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before cooking to ensure even cooking.
- Use unsalted butter to better control seasoning.
- Do not overcrowd the pan to allow chicken and potatoes to brown properly and avoid steaming.
- Cover the skillet while cooking potatoes to speed up softening.
- Add lemon juice right before serving to preserve its fresh, vibrant flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
Keywords: garlic butter chicken, chicken and potatoes skillet, quick chicken dinner, one-pan chicken recipe, weeknight chicken meal