Garlic Butter Chicken and Potatoes Recipe

This mouthwatering Garlic Butter Chicken and Potatoes is a one-pan wonder that combines tender chicken strips with golden, crispy potatoes – all bathed in a savory garlic butter sauce. It’s the perfect solution for busy weeknights when you want something deeply satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen. The combination of juicy chicken and crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside potatoes creates a meal that feels like comfort food but comes together in under an hour!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• One-Pan Magic: Everything comes together in a single skillet, meaning less cleanup and more flavor as all the ingredients mingle together.
• Perfect Balance of Flavors: The combination of savory soy sauce, aromatic garlic, and rich butter creates layers of flavor that make this dish irresistible.
• Customizable Heat Level: You can easily adjust the hot sauce amount to make it as mild or spicy as your family prefers.
• Restaurant-Quality at Home: This dish looks and tastes like something you’d order at a restaurant, but you can make it in your own kitchen for a fraction of the cost.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Chicken tenderloins: These cook quickly and stay juicy, perfect for a weeknight meal. They’re also more forgiving than chicken breast if you’re worried about overcooking.
• Soy sauce: Adds that perfect umami depth and helps tenderize the chicken as it marinates.
• Olive oil: Used both for marinating the chicken and cooking the potatoes, giving everything a nice flavor base.
• Hot sauce: Adds a gentle kick without overwhelming the dish. Feel free to use your favorite brand.
• Seasonings (pepper, garlic powder, onion powder): This perfect trio forms the foundation of flavor for the chicken marinade.
• Baby gold potatoes: These hold their shape well while getting crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. Their natural buttery flavor works perfectly here.
• Butter: Creates that irresistible richness that makes this dish special. Don’t skimp here!
• Fresh garlic cloves: Nothing compares to the aroma and flavor of fresh garlic sizzling in butter.
• Green onion: Adds a fresh, mild onion flavor and beautiful color contrast.
• Italian seasoning: This herb blend ties everything together with its aromatic mix of basil, oregano, rosemary, and more.

Variations

Want to switch things up? Here are some delicious ways to make this recipe your own:

• Veggie Boost: Add bell peppers, mushrooms, or asparagus during the last few minutes of cooking for extra nutrition and color.
• Herb Garden: Replace the Italian seasoning with fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or sage for a more aromatic finish.
• Creamy Version: Stir in a splash of heavy cream or a couple tablespoons of cream cheese at the end for a rich, velvety sauce.
• Sweet Potato Swap: Use sweet potatoes instead of gold potatoes for a nice color contrast and slightly sweeter flavor profile.

How to Make Garlic Butter Chicken and Potatoes

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

Combine chicken tenderloins with soy sauce, olive oil, hot sauce, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder in a large bowl. Let the flavors meld together while you prep the potatoes. This quick marinade infuses the chicken with flavor while keeping it juicy.

Step 2: Prepare the Potatoes

Quarter the baby gold potatoes and parboil them in salted water for about 8 minutes until they’re fork-tender but not falling apart. This pre-cooking step ensures they’ll be perfectly cooked through with a crispy exterior once fried.

Step 3: Crisp the Potatoes

Heat olive oil and butter in a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add the drained potatoes and fry them until golden and crispy, about 8 minutes. Use tongs to turn them gently so they maintain their shape. Remove and set aside once done.

Step 4: Cook the Chicken

In the same skillet, add the marinated chicken strips (reserve the leftover marinade). Let them sear undisturbed for a few minutes on each side to develop a beautiful golden crust.

Step 5: Create the Garlic Sauce

Add minced garlic to the skillet with the chicken and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Pour in the reserved marinade, letting it reduce slightly while the chicken finishes cooking to an internal temperature of 165°F.

Step 6: Bring It All Together

Return the crispy potatoes to the skillet, add the sliced green onion and Italian seasoning. Toss everything together gently to coat in the garlic butter sauce and heat through. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

• Cast Iron Is Best: A well-seasoned cast iron skillet gives the best sear on both the chicken and potatoes.
• Don’t Skip the Parboil: Parboiling the potatoes ensures they’ll be creamy inside while getting crispy outside. It’s worth the extra step!
• Patience with Searing: Let the chicken sit undisturbed when first placed in the pan. Moving it too soon prevents that golden crust from forming.
• Reserve that Marinade: The leftover marinade becomes the base for your sauce, so don’t throw it away! The cooking process eliminates any food safety concerns.
• Thinning Option: If you prefer thinner chicken pieces that cook faster, slice the tenderloins in half horizontally before marinating.

How to Serve

This versatile dish works beautifully with various accompaniments:

Simple Sides:

Serve with a crisp green salad or steamed broccoli to balance the richness of the dish.

Sauce Soakers:

Crusty bread is perfect for mopping up the delicious garlic butter sauce.

Complete Meal:

Add a side of roasted carrots or green beans for a complete, colorful plate.

Presentation:

Serve straight from the skillet for a rustic family-style presentation, or plate individually with the sauce drizzled over top and a sprinkle of fresh parsley.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually improve overnight as everything melds together.

Freezing

While you can freeze this dish, the potatoes may change texture slightly when thawed. For best results, freeze the chicken and sauce separately from the potatoes. Freeze for up to 2 months.

Reheating

For best results, reheat leftovers in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or chicken broth to rejuvenate the sauce. A microwave works in a pinch, but the skillet method helps maintain the texture of the potatoes better.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of tenderloins?
Absolutely! Chicken breasts will work beautifully in this recipe. Just slice them into strips about the size of tenderloins, or pound them to an even thickness before cooking. You may need to adjust the cooking time slightly as breast meat tends to cook a bit faster than tenderloins.

What if I don’t have a cast iron skillet?
No worries! Any large, heavy-bottomed skillet will work well for this recipe. Stainless steel or a non-stick pan are good alternatives. The key is having enough surface area for the ingredients to cook evenly without overcrowding.

Can I make this dish ahead of time for a dinner party?
This dish is best enjoyed fresh off the stove, but you can prep ahead by marinating the chicken and parboiling the potatoes earlier in the day. Store them separately in the refrigerator, then complete the cooking process just before serving. This cuts down your active cooking time significantly when guests arrive.

Is there a substitute for the soy sauce to make this gluten-free?
Definitely! Tamari is an excellent gluten-free alternative to traditional soy sauce and provides the same savory depth. Coconut aminos also work well if you’re looking for a soy-free option that’s slightly sweeter but still delivers that umami punch.

Final Thoughts

This Garlic Butter Chicken and Potatoes recipe is comfort food at its finest – simple ingredients transformed into something truly special. The combination of tender chicken and crispy potatoes coated in that irresistible garlic butter sauce is guaranteed to become a regular request in your household. It strikes that perfect balance between impressive and accessible, making it ideal for both weeknight dinners and special occasions. Give it a try tonight – your taste buds will thank you!

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