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Light Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken: Easy 20-Minute Dinner

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A quick and easy chicken dinner that’s creamy, garlicky, and buttery but not heavy. Made with Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream, this 20-minute recipe is perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb or 450g)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (28g)
  • 5–6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/3 cup plain full-fat Greek yogurt (80g)
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth (120ml)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (15ml)
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt and black pepper to taste (about 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (15ml)

Instructions

  1. Prep the chicken: Place chicken breasts on a cutting board. If uneven, cover with plastic wrap and gently pound to about 1/2-inch thickness. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Let sit for 5 minutes.
  2. Make the yogurt mixture: In a small bowl, combine Greek yogurt, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and dried thyme. Whisk until smooth. Set aside at room temperature.
  3. Sear the chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and let it shimmer. Place chicken in the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes on the first side without moving. Flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature of 160°F/71°C). Transfer to a plate and tent loosely with foil.
  4. Build the garlic butter sauce: Reduce heat to medium-low. Add butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic and stir constantly for 30-45 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Combine everything: Pour chicken broth into the skillet, scraping up browned bits. Let simmer for 1 minute. Reduce heat to low. Slowly whisk in the yogurt mixture, stirring constantly until smooth and creamy. Return chicken to the pan, spooning sauce over the top. Let warm through for 2-3 minutes.
  6. Finish and serve: Sprinkle fresh parsley over the top. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed. Serve immediately.

Notes

Temper the yogurt by letting it come to room temperature before adding to the hot pan to prevent curdling. Don’t crowd the pan when searing chicken. Keep heat low when adding yogurt mixture. For dairy-free, use vegan butter and thick coconut yogurt. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy garlic butter chicken, light chicken dinner, 20-minute meal, Greek yogurt chicken, easy weeknight dinner, garlic butter sauce

Find it online: https://tablemira.com/light-creamy-garlic-butter-chicken-easy-20-minute-dinner/