Garlic Chicken Recipe

Updated: June 13, 2024, By Swasthi

Garlic Chicken is tender pan-fried chicken swimming in an umami, buttery and garlicky sauce. It is finished off with red chili flakes & black pepper for a mild heat and garnished with your favorite herbs. While the chicken is succulent, the sauce is addictively delicious and packed with plenty of flavor. If saucy chicken is your thing, you will absolutely adore this buttery Garlic Chicken! I have still kept the earlier Indian hot garlic chicken recipe for the old readers. You can find it above the recipe card.

Garlic Chicken

Recipe Comments

To begin with diced chicken is coated with mixed Italian seasoning, black pepper, garlic powder, salt, lemon juice and all-purpose flour and pan-fried. This is not a crisp fried chicken so we don’t deep fry here. However if you want you may oven bake or air fry or deep fry for crisp chicken. I have the instructions covered for that.

A rich and delicious savory sauce is prepared with butter, fresh minced garlic, flour and chicken broth. Pan-fried chicken goes into this sauce and finished off with black pepper and chili flakes. Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or rosemary if you want. This Garlic Chicken goes very well over rice, pasta and with flatbreads like naan or artisan breads. You can also make this ahead and refrigerate for 2 days.

This is not a spicy and hot dish but packs great flavors that any one will love. If you want to make it spicy and hot, you can add red chili powder and garam masala. On occasions I make this to go with flatbreads like naan or roti. Here is the picture of the same but spicy version.

spicy garlic chicken in a pan

Ingredients you need

  • Chicken: I use 2 medium sized chicken breasts that I cut up to bite sized pieces. If you want you may cut them larger or use skinless chicken thighs.
  • Garlic: We use fresh garlic and garlic powder. Fresh garlic is used to make the sauce and garlic powder to coat and season the chicken before pan-frying. I don’t suggest using fresh garlic to coat the chicken because it can burn easily. If you do not have garlic powder, you may simply use steak seasoning, though the flavors are different it still works.
  • Flour: I use all-purpose flour to coat the chicken (before pan frying) and to thicken the garlic sauce. You can also coat the chicken with corn starch but I haven’t tried that for the sauce.
  • Butter & Olive oil: Unsalted butter is used to make the sauce and olive oil to fry the chicken. If you want you may use any other cooking oil of choice.
  • Italian seasoning/herbs: I use Italian seasoning, which is mix of various dried herbs like marjoram, basil, rosemary, oregano, parsley and thyme. You may use any one of these but start with lesser amounts.
  • Chicken broth: I use chicken broth to make the garlic butter sauce. It adds flavor to the dish.

More chicken recipes you may like
Malai Chicken
Butter Chicken
Chicken Madras
Chicken Jalfrezi

Photo Guide

Step by step Photo Instructions

1. Gather the ingredients you need for the recipe.

2. Chop 550 grams (1.2 lbs.) chicken breasts (2 medium sized) to bite sized pieces and add to a mixing bowl. Pat dry with kitchen papers if required. Squeeze 2 tsps lemon juice (optional) and sprinkle the following:

  • ¾ teaspoon sea salt (adjust to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Italian herbs/seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder

3. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of organic all-purpose flour or ¼ cup corn starch. Use corn starch for a crispy chicken.

4. Coat the chicken and keep aside.

5. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a pan and fry the chicken for 3 mins on each side, until cooked through. A non-stick pan is best, else the flour gets stuck to the pan.

6. Add 2 tablespoons butter to the same pan and add 1½ tablespoon minced garlic. Let fry on a low heat for 40 to 50 seconds.

7. Add 2 teaspoon all-purpose flour. If you want a spicy version of this you can either add a chopped green chili (serrano pepper) or half tsp red chili powder/ cayenne and 1 teaspoon garam masala.

8. Mix well and cook for a minute. Reduce the heat and pour the chicken stock.

9. Cook until the sauce is thickened and coats the back of a spoon, for about 7 minutes. Add lemon juice, taste test and adjust salt to taste. Add the chicken. Make sure your sauce is thick before adding it.

10. Cook on a high heat until some of the sauce is absorbed, for 2 mins. If you want very thick sauce, cook a little longer.

11. Add black pepper or chili flakes or both.

Garnish Garlic Chicken with chopped parsley or rosemary. Serve over hot rice or flatbreads like naan, roti or artisan breads. You can also stir in cooked spaghetti or pasta.

Garlic Chicken Recipe

Expert Tips

  • Avoid over cooking the chicken. It can get chewy.
  • Chicken coated with herbs, lemon and black pepper can be left in the refrigerator for an hour. This gives super tender chicken. But leaving it beyond that, can make it too soft and mushy.
  • Crispy Chicken: If you want crispy chicken, coat the chicken in ¼ cup corn starch and deep fry until crisp. Add it to the thick sauce and serve immediately.
  • To Bake – Preheat oven to 200 C or 400 F for at least 15 mins. Place the chicken pieces on a tray lined with parchment paper. Bake for 20 to 25 mins or until the internal temperature reaches 165 F
  • To Air fry – Place the chicken on an air fryer parchment paper (perforated parchment paper). Air fry at 375 F or 180 C for 8 minutes, flip them and air fry for another 3 to 4 mins depending on how dry or crispy you want it. Adjust the timings a bit as every air fryer is different.

Indian Garlic Chicken

Ingredients

  • 300 grams boneless chicken cut to strips or ½ inch cubes
  • 2 tablespoons yogurt / curd (do not use sour yogurt)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons Oil
  • 1 sprig curry leaves
  • ¼ teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1 small onion chopped finely
  • 5 to 6 dried red chilies or 3/4 to 1 tsp red chili powder
  • 5 garlic cloves crushed
  • ¾ tablespoon vinegar
  • ½ to 1 teaspoon sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon Salt
  • 15 to 30 ml Water (lesser, better) to blend
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons coriander leaves to garnish
  • Onion wedges or rings and Lemon wedges to serve

Instructions

  1. Mix together chicken, yogurt, salt and pepper in a bowl. Cover and rest for a minimum of 15 mins to overnight in the refrigerator. This helps to tenderize the meat.
  2. Blend together chilies or red chili powder, garlic, sugar, salt, vinegar and a tablespoon of water to a smooth paste.
  3. Discard any runny liquid from the chicken and coat it with the prepared sauce. Rest aside for 5 mins, while you prep up the onions. You can also store it in the fridge overnight.
  4. Heat a pan with oil and add cumin seeds. When they begin to sizzle add the curry leaves and onions. Saute until light golden.
  5. Add the chicken and saute on a high heat for 2 to 3 mins. Reduce the heat to medium and cook until the chicken is tender, cooked through and the sauce begins to cling on to the chicken. If your pan dries out, cover and cook on a low heat.
  6. Taste test and adjust salt, sugar or pepper to taste. The longer it is roasted, the sauce becomes more aromatic and tastier but the chicken tends to lose its tenderness. So take off from heat when it is to your liking. Take care not to burn, garlic burns faster.
  7. Serve garlic chicken hot or warm.

Related Recipes

Recipe Card

Garlic Chicken Recipe

Garlic Chicken

4.98 from 71 votes
Pan-fried chicken bites coated with a rich, buttery and garlicky sauce. Serve it over rice, pasta or with flatbreads or artisan breads.
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For best results follow the step-by-step photos above the recipe card

Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Servings4
AuthorSwasthi

Ingredients (US cup = 240ml )

  • 550 grams (1.2 lbs.) chicken breast (2 medium breasts or thighs)
  • ¾ teaspoon sea salt (adjust to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Italian herbs
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour or corn starch for crispy chicken (¼ cup if you want to deep fry, bake or air fry)
  • 2 tablespoons oil to fry chicken

To make the Butter Garlic Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • tablespoon garlic minced/ fine chopped
  • 2 teaspoon all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth
  • Salt as required
  • ½ to 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
  • ½ to 1 teaspoon chili flakes / black pepper (or both)
  • 1 tablespoon parsley or rosemary chopped


Instructions

  • Prepare chicken: Cut the chicken to 1 inch chunks. Add lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian herbs, black pepper and salt. Coat the chicken well and add flour. Coat them lightly with the flour.
  • Pan-fry the chicken: Heat oil in a pan and place the chicken to cook through on each side for 3 mins, until cooked through. Remove the chicken to a plate and melt butter in the same pan.
  • Make garlic sauce: Add garlic and cook for 40 to 50 seconds. Stir in the flour to mix well with butter and cook for a minute. Reduce the heat and pour the chicken stock. Cook until the sauce is thickened and coats the back of a spoon, for about 7 to 8 minutes. (Check photos in the post for consistency)
  • Make garlic chicken: Add lemon juice, taste test and adjust salt to taste. Add the chicken and cook on a high heat until some of the sauce is absorbed, for 2 mins. If you want thicker sauce, cook it for a little longer. Add black pepper or chili flakes or both.
  • Garnish with chopped parsley or rosemary. Serve over hot rice or flatbreads. You can also stir in cooked spaghetti or pasta.


NUTRITION INFO (estimation only)

Nutrition Facts
Garlic Chicken
Amount Per Serving
Calories 319 Calories from Fat 171
% Daily Value*
Fat 19g29%
Saturated Fat 7g44%
Trans Fat 0.02g
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
Monounsaturated Fat 8g
Cholesterol 109mg36%
Sodium 833mg36%
Potassium 574mg16%
Carbohydrates 7g2%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 31g62%
Vitamin A 289IU6%
Vitamin C 6mg7%
Calcium 30mg3%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @SwasthisRecipes or tag #swasthisrecipes!

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About Swasthi

I’m Swasthi Shreekanth, the recipe developer, food photographer & food writer behind Swasthi’s Recipes. My aim is to help you cook great Indian food with my time-tested recipes. After 2 decades of experience in practical Indian cooking I started this blog to help people cook better & more often at home. Whether you are a novice or an experienced cook I am sure Swasthi’s Recipes will assist you to enhance your cooking skills. More about me

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I have been using your garlic chicken receipt for year which simple garlic and chicken without flour. Why did you change it?

Your Gobi Manchurian recipe is a hit in my family! I do not have to buy it from restaurants anymore. Thank you very much!

I am trying out your Garlic Chicken todak for lunch.

5 stars
Mouth watering recipe. We tried and everyone loved it.

5 stars
I loved going through your recipes Swathi. It’s a must try . The little tricks you add inbetween are awesome

Hi Swasthi..
I’ve tried many recipes of yours.. most of them turned out to be good..♥️
It would be helpful of u put step by step photos for this garlic chicken recipe too..

Quick and yummy…. This is purely a toddler and new mom recipe if you add less chilli (I added 3chillies instead of 5) and my 16 months old son loved it…. And my sister is a mother to 20 days old baby girl and she loved it too…. Thankyou so much dear…. I love your recipes swasthi…

5 stars
Though I cook a lot of variety and tasty dishes I still refer ur page for non vegetarian recipes. I really like ur recipes it’s S really too Gud as u share many andhra recipes thank u

5 stars
Thanks a lot for the wonderful recipe. Turned out very well.

5 stars
Though i am vegetarian, Looks very tasty. I sd try preparing for my husband, daughter and maid.? thanks for the easy recipie

Hi swasthi when cumin is required in curry recipes etc , is this cumin seeds or ground cumin? Clarity would be appreciated. Thank you!

Thanks for that Swasthi that helps alot….

Cooking non veg for very first time. With the help of ur recipe it was too tasty. Exact measurements. My frnds loved it.

5 stars
I tried chicken65 and chicken korma. My family loved it every time I make it. They turned out just delicious.Thank you for sharing such easy to make restaurant style recipes.

4 stars
I tried this and it worked very well. I put more garlic paste and also added some red capsicum because the amount was too less for my mixer. Subbed honey for sugar. I added the remaining curd as well as I felt guilty for throwing it. Really good recipe, deceptively delicious for something so simple.

5 stars
l normally make my chicken curry with borne is there any problem?

5 stars
i am a vegetarian but cook non veg for my family so not very much aware about the meat parts s, can u kindly explain me which part of chicken is called “chicken strips?

5 stars
I love ur recipes..I have tried many of them n they r simply wowww!!! Thank u so much for sharing ur recipes.

5 stars
Hi, loved this recipe. One request ? Could you please send me Lemon Chicken Recipe as well.

5 stars
I have tried most of the recipes and love them
Can you please make phirni and post the recipe I have tried it but failed

5 stars
its awesome. can u ppl mail me the daily recepies of chicken?

5 stars
good

Chicken changaji

I am waiting for your different types of Chetton chicken with salad,

please mention the amount of oil, i must fry these chicken strips..

hehe..sry for dumb mistake.. nd is that really written 5 clove with 5 garlic..?

ty chef.. . :*