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Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Breast

Garlic butter baked chicken breast with a golden, fragrant herb-butter baste that pools in the dish as it bakes. The surface turns lightly caramelized and glossy, while each breast reaches a juicy 165°F interior.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
resting 5 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 420
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken
  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Seasoning
  • 1 salt
  • 1 pepper
  • 1 garlic powder
  • 1 smoked paprika
Garlic herb butter
  • 5 tbsp butter melted
  • 5 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 tsp fresh rosemary minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 lemon wedges for serving

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Prep and preheat
  1. Preheat oven to 425°F and lightly grease a baking dish.
Season the chicken
  1. Season chicken breasts on both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
Make the garlic herb butter
  1. Melt butter and stir in garlic, parsley, thyme, rosemary, and lemon juice until combined.
Bake
  1. Place chicken in the prepared dish and pour garlic herb butter over each breast, coating thoroughly.
  2. Bake for 20-25 minutes at 425°F, basting with the pan juices once at the halfway point.
  3. Continue baking until internal temperature reaches 165°F, leaving the surface golden and glossy.
Rest and serve
  1. Rest the chicken 5 minutes so juices redistribute, then spoon pan juices over the top.
  2. Serve with lemon wedges alongside.

Notes

For the most even juiciness, choose chicken breasts that are similar in thickness; if needed, lightly pound to an even thickness before seasoning. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Freezing is not recommended because the melted butter layer can change texture after thawing. For a lower-fat option, use half the butter and replace with an equal amount of olive oil or a light butter substitute while keeping the garlic and herbs the same.