Garlic Butter Chicken Copycat Recipe
If you’re searching for a dish that brings together restaurant-worthy elegance with the warm, inviting comfort of home-cooked food, you’re in for a treat. The – Elegant Garlic Butter Chicken Copycat is inspired by Morton’s Steakhouse Chicken Christopher, delivering buttery, fragrant chicken thighs with a golden sear and a luscious garlic-herb finish. Each bite is tender, rich, and packed with flavor, perfect for making any night feel truly special—without a ton of effort or complicated steps!
Ingredients You’ll Need
What makes this recipe so magical is how a handful of familiar ingredients can build such irresistible depth and character. Each plays its own important role, from building the foundation of savory flavor to offering pops of brightness and color. Gather these essentials and get ready for something spectacular.
- Chicken Thighs: Boneless, skinless thighs stay extra juicy and tender—plus, they’re quick to cook evenly in the skillet.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and helps create the signature silky-smooth garlic butter sauce.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic brings tons of aroma and that classic garlicky zip that makes this dish so craveable.
- Fresh Parsley: Adds a pop of color and a burst of freshness to brighten the buttery sauce.
- Fresh Thyme: Earthy thyme deepens the flavor, pairing beautifully with poultry and butter.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential for seasoning and enhancing every component of the dish.
- Paprika: Adds gentle smokiness and a lovely golden hue to the perfectly seared chicken.
- Olive Oil: Ensures your chicken sears to a gorgeous, appetizing crust in the pan.
- Lemon Wedges: Optional, but highly recommended—a squeeze at the end adds freshness and balances the richness.
How to Make Garlic Butter Chicken Copycat
Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients
Before you even think about turning on the stove, take a moment to get everything ready: mince the garlic, chop up your fresh parsley and thyme, and season the chicken thighs thoroughly with salt, pepper, and a dusting of paprika. Prepping ahead keeps things smooth and means you can focus on building those layers of flavor.
Step 2: Preheat Your Skillet
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Give it a minute or two to become shimmering hot—this is the secret to developing that irresistible golden crust on the chicken while sealing in all the juices.
Step 3: Sear the Chicken
Lay your seasoned chicken thighs gently into the hot skillet, placing them skin-side down if they have a side with extra fat. Let them sizzle away undisturbed for about 5 to 6 minutes until deeply golden and aromatic. This step is where the magic begins: that beautifully browned exterior is pure flavor.
Step 4: Flip and Cook Through
Flip the chicken thighs and let them continue cooking on the other side for about 5 more minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). The goal here is juicy, tender meat with a gorgeous crust on every side.
Step 5: Add Garlic and Butter
Lower the heat to medium and shift the chicken to one side of the skillet. On the empty side, melt your butter and stir in the minced garlic. Let it cook for 1 to 2 minutes—the mouthwatering smell will tell you you’re on the right track!
Step 6: Incorporate Fresh Herbs
Sprinkle the chopped parsley and thyme right into your sizzling garlic butter. Stir them gently into the sauce, letting their freshness layer over that deep, garlicky richness.
Step 7: Baste for Flavor
With a spoon, start basting the chicken with that luxurious garlic butter sauce, making sure every nook and cranny is coated. This extra step gives – Elegant Garlic Butter Chicken Copycat its unbeatable flavor in every bite.
Step 8: Rest and Serve
Take your pan off the heat and let the chicken rest for a few minutes. This helps all that lovely butter and those juices soak in. To serve, plate up the chicken, spoon over the remaining sauce, and add a few lemon wedges for an optional but bright, zesty finish. Just wait for the applause!
How to Serve Garlic Butter Chicken Copycat
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh parsley right before serving not only adds beautiful color but a touch of freshness to each bite. If you’re feeling fancy, add a lemon wedge on the side for that little extra pop that brings all the flavors together.
Side Dishes
This dish is heavenly alongside simply steamed vegetables like green beans or asparagus, but it really shines served with creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy rice, or even a slice of crusty bread to soak up every last drop of the garlic butter. The sides are your chance to bring your own flair to the meal!
Creative Ways to Present
For a more modern take, slice the chicken thighs into strips and serve them over a salad of tender greens, or pile them atop a rustic grain bowl with roasted veggies. Garlic Butter Chicken Copycat also makes an impressive main course for dinner parties when artfully arranged on a platter, spooning all that gorgeous sauce over top.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, let them cool to room temperature first. Store the chicken and any extra garlic butter sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The flavors continue to meld, making it just as delicious the next day!
Freezing
The Garlic Butter Chicken Copycat freezes surprisingly well. Once cooled, wrap the chicken tightly in foil or place it in a freezer-safe bag, along with a scoop of the sauce. Freeze for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best results.
Reheating
For maximum juiciness, reheat the chicken gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or a pat of butter if the sauce has thickened. This brings back that melt-in-your-mouth texture that made it a showstopper the first time around.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Absolutely! While thighs offer more juiciness and flavor, chicken breasts work well too—just watch your cooking time, as they can dry out more quickly. Pound them to even thickness for best results.
What’s the best way to tell if the chicken is cooked through?
The most reliable way is to use an instant-read thermometer; your chicken is perfectly done at 165°F (75°C) in the thickest part. If you don’t have one, slice into the center to make sure the juices run clear and the meat is opaque.
Can I make this dish dairy-free?
You sure can! Swap the butter for a high-quality dairy-free alternative or a little extra olive oil. The flavors will be slightly different, but it will still be delicious and full of garlicky goodness.
Is it possible to prepare elements ahead for a party?
Yes, you can prep the garlic, chop the herbs, and season the chicken a few hours in advance. When you’re ready to cook, everything comes together in under 30 minutes—making Garlic Butter Chicken Copycat perfect for dinner parties and special occasions.
What wine pairs well with this recipe?
Crisp, unoaked whites like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio highlight the garlic and fresh herbs, while a Chardonnay brings out the richness of the butter. Even a light red like Pinot Noir can work if you’re feeling adventurous!
Final Thoughts
Don’t be surprised if this Garlic Butter Chicken Copycat recipe quickly becomes one of your absolute favorites! It’s simple, a true crowd-pleaser, and just feels a little bit special every time you serve it. I can’t wait for you to experience just how delicious a home-cooked “steakhouse” night can be—give it a try and let it wow your taste buds!
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Garlic Butter Chicken Copycat Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
A delicious copycat recipe for Morton’s Steakhouse Chicken Christopher, featuring tender boneless chicken thighs cooked in a flavorful garlic butter sauce. This elegant dish is perfect for a special dinner at home.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Lemon wedges for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Mince the garlic, chop the fresh parsley and thyme, and season the chicken thighs with salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Preheat Skillet: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with olive oil.
- Sear Chicken: Place seasoned chicken thighs in the skillet, skin-side down, and sear for 5-6 minutes until golden brown.
- Flip Chicken: Flip chicken and cook for another 5 minutes until fully cooked.
- Add Garlic and Butter: Lower heat, add butter and garlic, cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Incorporate Herbs: Stir in parsley and thyme into the garlic butter.
- Baste Chicken: Drizzle garlic butter over chicken thighs.
- Rest Chicken: Allow chicken to rest off heat for a few minutes.
- Serve: Plate chicken, spoon remaining garlic butter on top, and serve with lemon wedges.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 0.5g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: Morton’s Steakhouse, Chicken Christopher, Garlic Butter Chicken, Copycat Recipe
