Juicy Garlic Butter Lamb Chops Recipe: Fancy Dinner Made Simple

Succulent garlic butter lamb chops craft ordinary meals into extraordinary culinary experiences.

These tender, juicy cuts promise a flavor journey that ignites the senses.

Rich, aromatic herbs complement the robust meat, creating a harmonious balance of taste and texture.

Home cooks can easily elevate their dinner game with this simple yet sophisticated dish.

The combination of garlic and butter adds depth and complexity to each perfectly seared bite.

Marinating techniques unlock incredible potential, infusing the lamb with irresistible Mediterranean-inspired nuances.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality results right in your kitchen.

Why Garlic Butter Is the Hero in This Dish

• Savor Quick Restaurant-Quality Cooking: These garlic butter lamb chops deliver gourmet restaurant-style results in just minutes, transforming an elegant protein into a home-cooked masterpiece without complex techniques.
• Experience Flavor-Packed Indulgence: The combination of seared meat, melted garlic butter, and fresh thyme creates an intense, rich taste profile that elevates simple lamb chops into a luxurious culinary experience with minimal ingredients.
• Master Foolproof Cooking Technique: The step-by-step searing and basting method ensures perfectly cooked lamb every time, with a gorgeous golden-brown exterior and tender, juicy interior that works beautifully for home cooks of all skill levels.
• Enjoy Versatile Dinner Solution: Perfect for romantic dinners, special occasions, or when you want to impress guests, these lamb chops require less than 20 minutes of active cooking time and deliver maximum flavor with minimum effort.

What You’ll Need for Buttery Lamb Bliss

• Lamb Chops: Tender, high-quality cuts with good marbling for rich flavor and juicy texture. Fresh, bone-in chops provide more depth of taste.

• Olive Oil: Helps create perfect sear and prevents sticking. Choose extra virgin for best flavor.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and helps create golden brown crust. Provides base for garlic butter sauce.

• Garlic: Brings intense, deep flavor to the lamb. Fresh garlic cloves offer more robust taste than pre-minced.
• Fresh Thyme: Adds earthy, herbal notes that complement lamb's natural flavor. Use fresh sprigs for best results.

• Coarse Salt: Enhances meat's natural flavor and helps create crispy exterior. Kosher or sea salt recommended.
• Fresh Cracked Black Pepper: Provides sharp, spicy undertones. Freshly ground offers more intense flavor compared to pre-ground.

• Aluminum Foil: Used for resting and covering lamb chops to retain heat and moisture.

Cooking Up Garlic Goodness in Every Bite

Step 1: Prep the Lamb

Remove lamb chops from the refrigerator 30 to 45 minutes before cooking.

Let them come to room temperature naturally for even cooking.

Pat each chop completely dry with a paper towel.

Generously season both sides with coarse salt and freshly cracked black pepper.

Step 2: Warm Up Your Cooking Surface

Choose a cast iron skillet and place it over medium to medium-high heat.

Add olive oil and wait until the skillet is hot enough to sizzle.

Step 3: Create a Delicious Crust

Carefully place the lamb chops into the heated skillet.

Sear for 3 to 5 minutes per side until the surface turns golden brown.

Step 4: Infuse with Amazing Flavor

Drop a spoonful of unsalted butter into the skillet.

Add minced garlic and sprinkle with fresh thyme.

Gently shake the pan to mix the flavors around the meat.

Step 5: Enhance Moisture and Taste

Use a spoon to baste the lamb chops with the hot garlic butter.

Keep spooning the mixture over the chops for a rich, even coating.

Step 6: Check Meat Temperature

Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of a chop.

Aim for 125°F for rare, 130°F for medium-rare, 135–140°F for medium, or 145°F for medium-well.

Step 7: Rest and Serve

Transfer the cooked lamb chops to a serving dish and loosely cover with foil.

Let them rest for 10 minutes to lock in juices.

Drizzle any remaining butter mixture from the pan over the chops.

Serve immediately and enjoy the tender, flavorful results.

Tricks to Get That Sizzle Just Right

• Temper Like a Pro: Let lamb chops sit at room temperature before cooking to guarantee even heat distribution and tender meat.
• Pat to Perfection: Use a paper towel to thoroughly dry lamb chops, ensuring a crispy, golden-brown sear without excess moisture.
• Sizzle with Precision: Ensure your cast iron skillet is hot enough to create a beautiful crust – listen for that satisfying sizzle when meat hits the pan.
• Butter Basting Brilliance: Continuously spoon hot garlic butter over the chops while cooking to infuse maximum flavor and keep the meat incredibly juicy.
• Rest for Success: Always let lamb chops rest after cooking, allowing internal juices to redistribute and creating a more tender, flavorful result.

Saving Garlic Butter Lamb Without Losing Taste

• Store
• Refrigerate leftover lamb chops in an airtight container within two hours of cooking. Carefully wrap each chop individually in aluminum foil or plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent flavor transfer. Stored properly, these delicious chops will stay fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Reheat
• Warm lamb chops gently in a preheated 250°F oven to prevent drying out. Place chops on a baking sheet and cover loosely with foil, heating for 10-15 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Alternatively, use a skillet with a small amount of butter or olive oil over medium-low heat, cooking for 2-3 minutes per side to retain juiciness.

Sides That Elevate This Rich Lamb Flavor

• Elevate with Red Wine Harmony: Pair these succulent garlic butter lamb chops with a bold, full-bodied red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah. These robust wines complement the rich, meaty flavor of the lamb, creating a luxurious dining experience that tantalizes your taste buds.
• Craft a Mediterranean Side Symphony: Serve alongside a fresh Greek salad with crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, tangy feta cheese, and a drizzle of olive oil. The bright, zesty flavors will cut through the lamb's richness, providing a perfect balance that refreshes the palate.
• Roast Herbed Vegetables for Depth: Complement the lamb with roasted root vegetables like rosemary-infused carrots, parsnips, and sweet potatoes. These caramelized sides echo the herb notes in the dish, adding a rustic warmth that enhances the overall meal's complexity and texture.
• Cool Down with Mint Tzatziki: Add a cooling mint tzatziki sauce on the side to balance the lamb's intense flavors. The creamy, herbal yogurt-based sauce provides a refreshing contrast that cuts through the richness of the meat, creating a harmonious and delightful dining experience.

Fresh Flavors to Dress Up Your Chops

• Mediterranean Herb Infusion: Replace thyme with a blend of rosemary, oregano, and mint for a vibrant Mediterranean flavor profile that transforms the lamb chops into a Greek-inspired delicacy.
• Spicy Moroccan Style: Add harissa paste and ground cumin to the garlic butter mixture, creating a bold North African-inspired coating that brings warmth and complex spiciness to the lamb chops.
• Wine-Braised Elegance: Deglaze the skillet with a splash of red wine after searing, allowing the lamb chops to absorb rich, deep flavors while creating a luxurious pan sauce that elevates the entire dish.
• Smoky Paprika Finish: Sprinkle smoked paprika and a touch of cayenne pepper over the lamb chops before searing, introducing a subtle smoky heat that complements the meat's natural richness.

Garlic Butter Lamb Chops Recipe

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4.7 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent lamb chops from Mediterranean kitchens dance with rich garlic butter, promising a luxurious dining experience. Herbal notes and golden seared edges invite diners to savor each tender, perfectly seasoned bite.

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Ingredients

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Meat:

• 2 pounds (907 grams) lamb chops, 1-1.25 inches thick

Herbs and Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
• Coarse salt
• Fresh cracked black pepper

Cooking Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2–3 large garlic cloves, minced

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Instructions

1. Extract lamb chops from refrigerator approximately 40 minutes prior to cooking, enabling them to reach ambient temperature for uniform heat distribution.
2. Use paper towels to thoroughly blot lamb chops, eliminating excess moisture for optimal browning potential.
3. Generously season both surfaces of lamb chops with coarse sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
4. Position cast iron skillet over medium-high heat, incorporating olive oil to create a searing environment.
5. Carefully place seasoned lamb chops into preheated skillet, allowing each side to caramelize for 3-4 minutes, developing a rich golden-brown exterior.
6. Introduce unsalted butter, finely chopped garlic, and fragrant thyme sprigs into the skillet once meat achieves desired color.
7. Gently tilt skillet, allowing melted butter and aromatics to coat lamb chops thoroughly, enhancing flavor profile.
8. Utilize cooking spoon to continuously bathe lamb chops in garlic-infused butter, promoting moisture retention and intensifying taste.
9. Monitor internal temperature using meat thermometer: 125°F (50°C) for rare, 130°F (54°C) for medium-rare, 135-140°F (57-60°C) for medium, 145°F (63°C) for medium-well.
10. Transfer lamb chops to serving platter, loosely tent with aluminum foil, and allow 8-10 minutes resting period for juice redistribution.
11. Before presentation, drizzle accumulated pan juices and residual herbed butter over lamb chops, amplifying final culinary experience.

Notes

• Bring lamb chops to room temperature before cooking to ensure even heat distribution and optimal tenderness.
• Pat meat completely dry to achieve a perfect golden-brown sear and seal in delicious flavors.
• Use a hot cast iron skillet for creating a beautiful crispy exterior while maintaining juicy interior.
• Baste lamb chops continuously with garlic butter to enhance moisture and infuse rich, aromatic taste.
• Monitor internal temperature closely for precise doneness, understanding each temperature range creates different meat textures.
• Allow chops to rest after cooking, which helps redistribute juices and guarantees a succulent, mouthwatering result.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 410 kcal
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 340 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 1 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 125 mg