Garlic Herb Chicken Dinner Recipe

Welcome to today’s wonderful recipe! We’re making a classic comfort meal featuring juicy garlic herb chicken served with buttery mashed potatoes and sweet glazed carrots.

What a lovely dinner we have in store for you today! This wholesome meal brings together three perfectly complementary dishes that will create a restaurant-quality dinner right in your own kitchen. The aromatic herbs will make your house smell absolutely amazing while you cook, and your family will gather around the table with big smiles!

What You’ll Need

For the Garlic Herb Chicken:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme, chopped
• 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, chopped
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons butter

For the Mashed Potatoes:

• 2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup warm milk (more as needed)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

For the Glazed Carrots:

• 1 pound carrots, sliced into sticks or rounds
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons honey (or brown sugar)
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Step-By-Step Cooking Instructions

Getting Started (5 minutes)

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C)
2. Gather all ingredients and have them ready on your counter
3. Fill a large pot with water for the potatoes and put it on the stove to start heating

Planning tip: This meal works best when you start all three dishes at roughly the same time, since they all take about 20-25 minutes to cook.

Step 1: Start the Potatoes (20 minutes total cooking time)

1. Peel and cut potatoes: Cut your potatoes into evenly-sized chunks (about 1-2 inches) so they cook at the same rate
2. Get them boiling: Add the potato chunks to your pot of water with a generous pinch of salt
3. Bring to a boil: Once the water bubbles vigorously, reduce heat to medium-high and cook for 15-20 minutes
4. Test for doneness: Poke a potato piece with a fork – it should slide in easily when they’re ready

Helpful tip: Start with cold water and the potatoes together – this helps them cook more evenly than adding potatoes to already boiling water.

Step 2: Prepare the Chicken (25 minutes total)

1. Season the chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels, then rub them all over with olive oil
2. Add the flavors: In a small bowl, mix together the minced garlic, chopped thyme, chopped rosemary, paprika, salt, and pepper
3. Coat evenly: Rub this herb mixture all over both sides of each chicken breast – don’t be shy with the seasoning!
4. Heat your skillet: Use an oven-safe skillet (cast iron works great) and heat it over medium-high heat
5. Sear the chicken: Place chicken in the hot skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown
6. Add butter and bake: Add the 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet, then transfer the whole skillet to your preheated 375°F oven
7. Bake until done: Cook for 15-18 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F

Safety tip: Always use a meat thermometer to check that chicken is fully cooked – it should read 165°F in the thickest part.

Step 3: Make the Glazed Carrots (15 minutes)

1. Prepare the carrots: While the chicken bakes, cut your carrots into sticks or round slices (whichever you prefer)
2. Cook until tender: Steam the carrots or boil them in a separate pot of salted water for about 8 minutes until just tender
3. Make the glaze: In a large pan, melt the 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat
4. Add sweetness: Stir in the honey (or brown sugar) and cook for 2-3 minutes until it becomes glossy and bubbly
5. Combine: Add the cooked carrots to the glaze and toss gently to coat
6. Season and garnish: Add salt, pepper, and fresh chopped parsley

Helpful tip: Don’t overcook the carrots – they should still have a slight bite to them and bright color.

Step 4: Finish the Mashed Potatoes (10 minutes)

1. Check if potatoes are ready: They should be fork-tender and falling apart slightly
2. Drain well: Pour the potatoes into a colander and let them drain for a minute
3. Mash while hot: Return potatoes to the pot and mash with a potato masher or large fork
4. Add butter: Mix in the 4 tablespoons of butter until melted
5. Add warm milk: Gradually add the warm milk, starting with 1/2 cup and adding more as needed for your desired consistency
6. Season to taste: Add salt and pepper, then taste and adjust seasoning

Helpful tip: Warm the milk in the microwave for 30 seconds before adding – cold milk can make your potatoes gummy.

Bringing It All Together

Final Assembly and Serving

1. Let chicken rest: Remove chicken from oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing
2. Warm serving plates: If you have time, warm your dinner plates in a low oven for 2-3 minutes
3. Plate beautifully: Place a generous scoop of mashed potatoes on each plate
4. Add the chicken: Slice the chicken and arrange alongside the potatoes
5. Add the carrots: Spoon the glazed carrots next to everything else
6. Final touches: Garnish with any remaining fresh herbs if you like

Recipe Information & Tips

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cooking Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Servings: 4 generous portions
• Calories: Approximately 610 per serving

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

• Prep ahead: You can cut potatoes and carrots up to 4 hours ahead – just keep them in cold water
• Herb mixture: Make the garlic-herb rub up to 1 day ahead and store covered in the refrigerator
• Leftovers: Store covered in refrigerator for up to 3 days
• Reheating: Reheat chicken in a 300°F oven to keep it moist

Ingredient Substitutions

• No fresh herbs? Use 1 teaspoon dried thyme and 1 teaspoon dried rosemary instead
• Different potatoes? Yukon Gold work well too, though they’ll be a bit less fluffy
• Honey alternative: Maple syrup or brown sugar work perfectly for the carrot glaze
• Milk substitute: Half-and-half, buttermilk, or even chicken broth can replace the milk in potatoes

This hearty meal is perfect for Sunday dinners, special occasions, or any time you want to treat your family to something extra special. The combination of flavors and textures creates a satisfying dinner that everyone will remember!