The Most Popular Chicken Recipe of 2024 Is a Weeknight Dinner Must

It comes together in 15 minutes.

I am married to an Italian American from New Jersey, so a love of pizzeria classics like garlic knots was practically passed to me in our vows. And really, how I wish I had appreciated them sooner. The warm, buttery, doughy rolls overloaded with garlic are as comforting as carbs can be.

So, of course, when I discovered Theodora Kaloudis’ recipe for garlic knot chicken right here on Simply Recipes, I just knew I had to try it. Many of you felt the exact same way, as it was our most popular chicken recipe on the site this year. 

Why I Love Garlic Knot Chicken Just as Much as You Do

This chicken recipe has all the makings of a new weeknight classic: It comes together in a single skillet, calls for family-pleasing chicken cutlets, and takes just 15 minutes to make, from start to finish. It also features ingredients you probably already have on hand like garlic, butter, and Parmesan cheese.

These are all the reasons why I feel hard and fast for it, starting with the fact that it’s garlic heavy, which is an automatic win in this garlic-loving household. I am always looking for ways to reinvent my chicken routine without having to run out and pick up new spices or condiments. I didn’t have to for this recipe since every single item on the ingredient list is a staple in my personal pantry. And yet, the combination of flavors (plus the clever recipe title) feels inspired and helps shake up my dinner roster.

Tips and Tricks for Making Garlic Knot Chicken

There are so many ways to play around with this easy recipe and make it your own. Here are just a few ideas:

• If you can’t find chicken cutlets and don’t want to bother pounding or horizontally halving chicken breasts, feel free to use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead.
• Adding a sprinkle of dried oregano to the garlic-butter sauce levels up the pizzeria vibes, as does a pinch of red pepper flakes, if you like a little heat.
• I love tossing a handful of capers into the sauce at the same time I add the garlic for a briny punch. Chopped buttery green olives like Casteveltrano would also be nice. 
• Swap out the Parmesan cheese with Pecorino Romano cheese and be extra generous with the black pepper for a cacio e pepe-inspired twist.  
• If I have fresh basil on hand instead of parsley, I’ll use that instead. Or if I don’t have either, I’ll simply skip it.
• There are endless ways to serve this chicken but serving it over something to catch all the garlicky butter sauce is the way to go, in my opinion. Orzo, creamy polenta, egg noodles, or even slices of toasted crusty bread are just a few of my favorites. 

Garlic knots are typically served with a side of warm marinara sauce for dipping. If you’re feeling extra, go right ahead and pair this garlic knot chicken with a side of red sauce for drizzling or dunking.

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