Grilled Chicken Breasts Stuffed With Herb Butter Recipe (2024)

By Mark Bittman

Updated Feb. 28, 2024

Grilled Chicken Breasts Stuffed With Herb Butter Recipe (1)

Total Time
45 minutes
Rating
5(227)
Notes
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Featured in: For Moister Chicken, Tuck the Flavor Inside

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings

  • 4tablespoons (½ stick) butter, softened
  • 2tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon, basil, chives or other herb
  • 4bone-in chicken breasts
  • Salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • Extra virgin olive oil as needed
  • Lemon wedges for serving

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

469 calories; 23 grams fat; 9 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 8 grams monounsaturated fat; 2 grams polyunsaturated fat; 1 gram carbohydrates; 0 grams dietary fiber; 0 grams sugars; 62 grams protein; 684 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Grilled Chicken Breasts Stuffed With Herb Butter Recipe (2)

Preparation

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  1. Step

    1

    Prepare charcoal or gas grill; heat should be medium-high and rack about 6 inches from fire; keep part of grill cool for indirect cooking. In a small bowl, use a spoon or fork to combine butter and herbs, or use a mini food processor.

  2. Step

    2

    With sharp-bladed knife, cut a 2- to 3-inch slit in deepest part of chicken. Fill with as much herb butter as possible; rub some under skin as well. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper and brush with oil.

  3. Step

    3

    When grill is ready, put chicken skin-side up on cool side of grill. After some fat has been rendered, turn chicken; if it flares up, move to an even cooler part of fire or turn so skin side is up again. When skin has lost its raw look and most of the fat has been rendered, after 20 minutes or so, move chicken directly over fire. Cook, turning now and then, until both sides are browned and flesh is firm and cooked through, 5 to 10 minutes longer. Serve hot, warm or at room temperature, with lemon wedges.

Ratings

5

out of 5

227

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

Bohemian

But it can be depending on preparation and technique. Even salting the chicken a day ahead with kosher salt and keeping it in the refrigerator adds a lot of flavor to chicken. Cooking technique is what will keep it or make it juicy.

Yvette

I've made a similar recipe many times (another NY Times recipe) only without the step of combining the butter and herb and simply sliding it under the skin. Just put some pats of butter and chopped herb under the skin. Cook for 30 minutes rotating the pan halfway through. It doesn't get much easier and is very tasty. This can be broiled though it does splatter and create a lot of smoke in the oven.

DL

Thanks, very helpful.

Lee Schilling

OMG where have you been all my life ! This was absolutely amazing. I never would have a thought of the hot side/warm side system. Clever. Served mine over rice which absorbed some of the butter mixture. Great job

Sam

How can I make this in the stove? Any suggestions? unfortunately I’m in a condo with no grill but this look delish and would like to make :)

Sam

Can I do this with with skinless breasts and wrap it with a toothpick like i would do a ‘stuffed chicken’?

Ted

Outstanding! The technique is brilliant. The chicken breast was very moist and flavorful, and I usually don't like chicken breasts. I used tarragon, basil, chives, and garlic for the butter. Highly recommend.

M Reid

It was absolutely delicious and juicy and tender and tasty. Cooked in oven at 425 for 15 and then tented with foil and turned it to 400 which cut down the smoke from. Using. Olive. Oil. Duh. Lol. Next time id put a slice or two of lemon under the skin to keep the butter company.

lisa parrish

I used the lightly dried basil in the refrigerated section by the lettuce b/c I couldn’t get fresh. It was easy and delicious. Cooked in in toaster oven convection 400 degrees - don’t cover. Worked as well as my grill.

Kymberly

Had to use a meat thermometer but oh my goodness so perfect. Grilled corn and salad. Definitely easy peasy grilled chicken recipe.

M. Verdugo

What is the olive oil for?

ChefSacky

Make sure not to wuss out on going skin side down on indirect heat early. The earlier the better the chance the butter won’t melt out. Serve with Sam Siftons grilled romaine for a take on a grilledChicken Caesar.

Carol

I loved it! Used fresh herbs from my garden. On my food prep for the week tomorrow!!! I do like the idea of rubbing herbs and fat under the skin. :)

Janet

There wasn’t as much flavor as I had hoped. Next time I think I will put the compound butter under the skin as well. The skin was nice and crispy, though.

Christine

This was delicious. Any hints on how to keep the butter from leaking out when the breasts are on the grill? Maybe I missed something in the directions. Either way - I'll make this again!

Carol

I wonder if tying or skewering would help? Fact is the butter will melt. I'm going with the under the skin addition.

Chef Carlos

Very tasty, skin turned out nice and crispy

Yvette

I've made a similar recipe many times (another NY Times recipe) only without the step of combining the butter and herb and simply sliding it under the skin. Just put some pats of butter and chopped herb under the skin. Cook for 30 minutes rotating the pan halfway through. It doesn't get much easier and is very tasty. This can be broiled though it does splatter and create a lot of smoke in the oven.

Keith

The bottom line is that it is still chicken breast. Not terribly tasty or juicy.

Bohemian

But it can be depending on preparation and technique. Even salting the chicken a day ahead with kosher salt and keeping it in the refrigerator adds a lot of flavor to chicken. Cooking technique is what will keep it or make it juicy.

DL

Thanks, very helpful.

Ted

Then you no doubt overcooked it.

Lee Schilling

OMG where have you been all my life ! This was absolutely amazing. I never would have a thought of the hot side/warm side system. Clever. Served mine over rice which absorbed some of the butter mixture. Great job

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Grilled Chicken Breasts Stuffed With Herb Butter Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What does cooking chicken in butter do? ›

Can you cook chicken with butter instead of oil? You have to cook chicken at a lower temperature if you bake or pan-fry chicken using butter instead of oil. This is because butter has a lower scorching temperature. Your chicken will cook more slowly, but it's also likely to be juicier and full of more flavor.

How long does it take to cook chicken breast on the grill? ›

Place your chicken breasts on your preheated grill, and close the lid. It's important to keep the lid of your grill closed while your chicken is cooking so that no heat escapes. Cook your chicken breast on the grill for 6-8 minutes on one side. After 6-8 minutes flip your chicken breast and cook for 6-8 minutes more.

Is cooking chicken breast in butter healthy? ›

What is the difference between cooking chicken breasts with oil or butter in terms of taste and health benefits? Health: Oil has less saturated fat than butter. But butter provides vitamins absent in oil. Both can be healthy in moderation.

Which is healthier butter or oil? ›

Bottom line: Olive, canola and safflower oils are healthier choices overall than butter and most margarines. Use them as replacements for butter and margarine in most of your cooking, but watch the amounts – those fat calories can add up fast.

What is the secret to tender chicken breast? ›

Brines and marinades help tenderize the meat by bringing more moisture in the protein. With that extra moisture, you lose less when you cook. The simplest way to do this is with a dry brine — unwrap the chicken breasts, salt them on both sides and let them sit in the fridge for at least an hour.

Does chicken breast get more tender the longer you cook it? ›

Most whole chickens become fully tender in about one hour on medium-low heat. Yes, chicken breast will get softer the longer you cook it, as long as it is cooked at a low enough temperature to prevent it from becoming dry and tough.

How do you keep boneless skinless chicken breast moist? ›

Brining: Soak the chicken breasts in a saltwater solution for 30 minutes to an hour before baking. This helps to retain moisture and enhances flavor. Use about 1 tablespoon of salt per 1 cup of water.

How do you grill chicken breast without drying it out? ›

How do you grill chicken breast without drying it out? Brining is the secret to juicy grilled chicken breasts. It requires a bit of extra time, but the soak in the a brine helps to tenderize the meat, which makes it less tough once it's grilled. Also, a brine is a great way to add flavor if you want.

Should you grill chicken breast fast or slow? ›

Cook Chicken: Once your grill is heated, oil the grill grates and add the chicken. Grill the chicken about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until browned and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Because the cutlets are thin, they will cook quickly.

Do you close the grill when cooking chicken breast? ›

Even removing the lid too often from the grill results in heat escaping and the temperature dropping. This may lead to uneven cooking of the chicken. Keeping the lid closed on the grill to cook the chicken more evenly.

Can you use water instead of chicken broth for stuffing? ›

You can indeed substitute water in a recipe calling for chicken broth. The liquid is a vital part of the recipe, and affects not only the viscosity of the final product, but its taste. And water by itself does alter the taste, but not in a good way.

Can you put stuffing in a raw chicken? ›

If you plan to prepare stuffing using raw meat, poultry, or shellfish, you should precook the raw ingredients before stuffing the item to reduce the risk of foodborne illness from bacteria that may be found in raw ingredients.

Do you put the stuffing in the chicken before cooking? ›

If stuffing whole poultry, the ingredients for the stuffing can be prepared ahead of time. Keep wet and dry ingredients separated and chill. Mix wet and dry ingredients just before putting stuffing into a casserole or filling the bird's cavity. Make sure the bird is loosely stuffed and cook immediately after stuffing.

Is it healthier to cook chicken with butter or oil? ›

The best way to cook chicken for the health benefits

When it comes to pan frying, the type of fat you use to grease the pan is important. A healthy oil, such as olive or coconut, is going to be a healthier choice than animal fat, like butter. However, the healthiest way to cook chicken is to bake it or boil it.

What is special about butter chicken? ›

Butter chicken, traditionally known as murgh makhani (pronounced [mʊrɣ ˈməkʰaːni]), is an Indian dish originating in Delhi. It is a type of curry made from chicken with a spiced tomato and butter (makhan) sauce. Its sauce is known for its rich texture.

What does butter under chicken skin do? ›

Why Do It : Notoriously dry and chalky, roast chicken breasts can be transformed with softened butter. Two tablespoons of unsalted butter mixed with ½ teaspoon salt and spread underneath the skin of a whole breast before roasting will baste the white meat, keeping it juicy while adding flavor.

What does butter do to chicken skin? ›

I suggest both. Putting it underneath the skin bastes the meat while it cooks, getting that flavor throughout. Then spreading it on the outside will help brown the skin.

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