Delicious, easy and you can mix and match herbs of any sort. I've been using Italian parsley and cilantro.
Butter-Basted Chicken Breasts
By Ali Slagle
Published Feb. 27, 2025
Butter-Basted Chicken Breasts
Total Time
25 minutes
Prep Time
5 minutes
Cook Time
20 minutes
For juicy, bronzed and flavorful chicken breasts, all it takes is a butter-baste. Spooning hot butter and aromatics over steak is a common technique, but applying that method to lean, quick-cooking proteins like boneless chicken breasts is particularly beneficial because the butter keeps the white meat from drying out while imparting the flavor of whatever ingredients are sizzling in it. Here, that’s garlic and woodsy herbs, but you could also use ground or whole spices or finely chopped ginger or scallions. Serve with rice pilaf or lemon linguine, and a green vegetable like roasted brussels sprouts or stir-fried green beans.
Ingredients
Yield:
3 to 4 servings
1½ to 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Salt and black pepper
1tablespoon vegetable or canola oil
3tablespoons unsalted butter
4garlic cloves, smashed and peeled
4rosemary, thyme or sage sprigs, or a mix
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Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional Information
Preparation
Step 1
Use a meat mallet or heavy skillet to pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness. Pat dry and season with salt and pepper. Coat all sides with the oil.
Step 2
Heat a large, preferably cast-iron, skillet over medium-high until just smoking. Add the chicken and cook until golden underneath, 3 to 5 minutes.
Step 3
Reduce heat to medium-low. Flip the chicken and add the butter, garlic and herbs. When the butter is foaming, tilt the skillet and spoon the melting butter over the chicken until cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes. Spoon the butter onto any pale areas to create an even crust.
Step 4
Transfer the chicken to plates and top with all the butter and bits in the skillet. Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
