Description

Juicy, tender, and flavorful turkey breast roasted with a rich garlic butter rub—perfect for holidays or cozy dinners. This easy recipe delivers crisp skin and succulent meat every time.

Ingredients

Scale

1 whole turkey breast (4–5 lbs), bone-in or boneless
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 tablespoon olive oil
Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
1 cup chicken broth or stock
1 onion, quartered
2 carrots, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and position the rack in the lower-middle section.
In a mixing bowl, combine softened butter, minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, paprika, onion powder, olive oil, and lemon zest. Mix until smooth.
Pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels, including under the skin.
Loosen the skin gently using your fingers or a spatula to create a pocket.
Rub half of the garlic butter under the skin and the remaining over the top and sides.
Season generously with salt and black pepper.
Place onions, carrots, and celery in the bottom of a roasting pan. Pour in chicken broth and set the turkey breast on top, skin side up.
Roast for 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours, checking internal temperature after 90 minutes. Aim for 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part.
Tent with foil if the skin browns too quickly.
Remove from oven and let rest for 15–20 minutes before slicing.
Slice against the grain and serve with pan juices or gravy.

Notes

Pat the turkey dry for crisp skin. Use room temperature butter for easy spreading. Let the turkey rest before slicing to retain juices. If using a convection oven, reduce temperature to 350°F and check earlier. For a dairy-free version, use vegan butter or olive oil.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: About 6 oz (170 g) p
Calories: 320
Sodium: 400
Fat: 15
Saturated Fat: 7
Carbohydrates: 2
Protein: 42

Keywords: turkey breast, garlic butter, roasted turkey, holiday dinner, Thanksgiving, Christmas, easy turkey recipe