Name: Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe: A Light, Flavorful Skillet Dinner with Fresh Veggies
Ingredients: 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs, if preferred); Salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste; 1 tsp Italian seasoning; 1 tbsp olive oil; 2 tbsp unsalted butter; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tbsp unsalted butter (extra for that silky sauce); Juice of 1/2 lemon (plus slices for garnish); 1/4 cup chicken broth (or dry white wine for extra flavor); 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped; 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved; 1 small zucchini, sliced; 1/2 red bell pepper, sliced; 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced; A handful of baby spinach; Optional: 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (for a gentle kick)

Ingredients

Scale

Here’s what you’ll need to bring this vibrant dish to life:

For the Chicken:

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs, if preferred)
Salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp unsalted butter

For the Garlic Butter Sauce:

4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp unsalted butter (extra for that silky sauce)
Juice of 1/2 lemon (plus slices for garnish)
1/4 cup chicken broth (or dry white wine for extra flavor)
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

For the Vegetables:

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 small zucchini, sliced
1/2 red bell pepper, sliced
1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
A handful of baby spinach
Optional: 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (for a gentle kick)

Instructions

Step 1: Season & Sear the Chicken

Pat the chicken dry and season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
Heat olive oil and 2 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add chicken and cook for about 5-6 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.

Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables

In the same skillet, add a touch more olive oil if needed.
Toss in the red onion, bell pepper, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes.
Sauté for 4-5 minutes until slightly tender but still vibrant.
Add the spinach last, stirring until just wilted.

Step 3: Create the Garlic Butter Sauce

Push veggies to the side of the skillet.
Melt 2 tbsp butter in the center, then add minced garlic. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
Pour in chicken broth (or wine) and squeeze in fresh lemon juice.
Stir everything together, scraping up any flavorful bits from the bottom of the pan.

Step 4: Bring It All Together

Return the chicken to the skillet, nestling it among the veggies.
Spoon the garlic butter sauce over the chicken.
Simmer for 2-3 minutes to let all the flavors meld beautifully.

Step 5: Garnish & Serve

Sprinkle with fresh parsley and a few lemon slices.
Serve hot, straight from the skillet, with crusty bread, rice, or a light pasta if desired.