🧈 Place a Stick of Butter on Top of Raw Chicken Breasts With 3 Other Ingredients — Juicy Oven-Baked Chicken Recipe

This simple chicken recipe uses butter + a few pantry ingredients to create tender, flavorful chicken breasts with a rich sauce. The butter melts over the chicken as it cooks, keeping the meat moist while adding flavor.

🍗 Butter-Baked Garlic Herb Chicken Breasts

Serves

4 people

Prep Time

10 minutes

Cook Time

30–40 minutes

Total Time

About 50 minutes

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• ½ cup (1 stick) butter, sliced into pieces

The 3 Extra Ingredients

1. 4 cloves garlic, minced
2. 1 teaspoon paprika
3. 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Seasonings

• 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley or Italian seasoning (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels.
3. Place chicken in a lightly greased baking dish.
4. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and paprika.

Step 2: Add the Flavor

1. Sprinkle minced garlic over the chicken.
2. Drizzle lemon juice on top.
3. Place slices of butter evenly over each chicken breast.

As the chicken cooks, the butter melts and mixes with the garlic, lemon, and spices to create a flavorful coating.

Step 3: Bake

Bake uncovered for:

• 25–35 minutes depending on the thickness of the chicken

The chicken is ready when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

For extra color:

• Broil for 2–3 minutes at the end (watch carefully).

Tips for Extra Juicy Chicken

✅ Pound thick chicken breasts to an even thickness before cooking.
✅ Let the chicken rest for 5–10 minutes after baking so the juices stay inside.
✅ Spoon the melted butter sauce from the pan over the chicken before serving.

Delicious Additions

You can add:

• Sliced onions
• Mushrooms
• Fresh herbs
• Parmesan cheese
• A splash of chicken broth for more sauce

What to Serve With It

Great sides:

• Mashed potatoes
• Rice
• Roasted vegetables
• Salad
• Steamed broccoli
• Pasta

Storage

Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.
Freezer: Freeze cooked chicken for up to 3 months.

Reheat gently so the chicken stays tender.

This is a simple “set it and bake it” chicken dish that turns basic ingredients into a rich, buttery meal. 🍗🧈