Garlic Butter Chicken with Asparagus (Printable Version)
Golden chicken bites in garlic butter sauce with fresh asparagus for a quick, satisfying dinner
# What You Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
02 - 1/2 tsp salt
03 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
04 - 1/2 tsp paprika
→ Vegetables
05 - 1 lb fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
→ Sauce
06 - 4 tbsp unsalted butter
07 - 5 garlic cloves, minced
08 - 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
09 - 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
10 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
→ To Finish
11 - Lemon wedges, for serving
# How to Make It:
01 - Toss the chicken cubes with salt, pepper, and paprika in a large bowl until evenly coated.
02 - Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and sear for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
03 - In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Add asparagus to the skillet. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until crisp-tender.
05 - Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add lemon juice and half of the parsley. Toss everything together and cook for 2 more minutes to combine flavors. Serve immediately, garnished with the remaining parsley and lemon wedges.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Everything cooks in one pan so cleanup is practically nonexistent
- The chicken stays impossibly tender while developing a gorgeous golden crust
- Ready in under 30 minutes but tastes like something from a restaurant
02 -
- Crowding the pan steams the chicken instead of searing it, so work in batches if your skillet is small
- Garlic can turn bitter in seconds once it starts browning, so keep it moving once it hits the pan
- The asparagus continues cooking after you remove it from heat, so aim for slightly underdone
03 -
- Pat the chicken completely dry before seasoning for the best sear
- Room temperature chicken cooks more evenly so take it out 20 minutes before starting