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Easy One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken and Asparagus

one-pan garlic butter chicken and asparagus - featured image
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A quick and easy one-pan meal featuring juicy chicken breasts and crisp-tender asparagus cooked in a silky garlic butter sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights and packed with flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound / 450 g), patted dry
  • 1 bunch asparagus (about 1 pound / 450 g), trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (optional)
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Trim the woody ends off the asparagus and cut into 2-inch pieces. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs.
  2. Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Wait until the oil shimmers but doesn’t smoke.
  3. Add the chicken breasts and cook without moving until golden brown on one side (about 4 minutes). Flip and cook another 3-4 minutes until the second side is golden but the chicken isn’t fully cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
  4. Lower heat to medium. Add butter and minced garlic to the skillet. Stir constantly to avoid burning and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
  5. Toss in the asparagus pieces and lemon juice. Stir to coat everything in the garlic butter. Season with a pinch of salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
  6. Nestle the chicken breasts back into the skillet, placing them on top of the asparagus.
  7. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover the skillet with a lid or foil, and cook until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), about 8-10 minutes. Alternatively, transfer the skillet to a preheated 375°F (190°C) oven for 8-10 minutes if your pan is oven-safe.
  8. Remove from heat and let chicken rest for a few minutes. Serve chicken sliced or whole with asparagus spooned beside it, drizzled with the buttery garlic sauce from the pan.

Notes

If garlic starts browning too fast, lower the heat immediately to avoid bitterness. Keep asparagus pieces roughly the same size for even cooking. For dairy-free, substitute butter with coconut oil or vegan butter. You can swap asparagus with green beans or broccolini. Use chicken thighs for juicier meat but adjust cooking time accordingly.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pan, garlic butter chicken, asparagus, easy dinner, quick recipe, weeknight meal, healthy, low-carb, gluten-free

Find it online: https://crispcraving.com/easy-one-pan-garlic-butter-chicken-and-asparagus-recipe-to-make-tonight/