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Cozy Herb Butter Roasted Turkey Breast: Easy One-Pan Recipe

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This herb butter roasted turkey breast is a love letter to a lost bistro, featuring crackling golden skin and juicy meat. It’s a practical one-pan meal perfect for a quiet night in or a small Thanksgiving for two.

Ingredients

  • Bone-in, skin-on turkey breast (3-4 lbs)
  • Unsalted butter (½ cup, softened)
  • Fresh garlic (4 cloves, minced)
  • Fresh thyme (2 tablespoons, chopped)
  • Fresh rosemary (1 tablespoon, chopped)
  • Fresh parsley (2 tablespoons, chopped)
  • Salt (1½ teaspoons, divided)
  • Black pepper (½ teaspoon, freshly ground)
  • Olive oil (1 tablespoon)
  • Yellow onion (1 large, quartered)
  • Lemon (1, halved)
  • Chicken broth (½ cup)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Position the rack in the middle of the oven. While it’s heating, take your turkey breast out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes.
  2. Make the herb butter. In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped thyme, rosemary, parsley, 1 teaspoon of salt, and ½ teaspoon of black pepper. Mash it all together with a fork until evenly mixed.
  3. Prep the turkey. Pat the turkey breast completely dry with paper towels. Place the turkey breast on a cutting board, breast side up.
  4. Loosen the skin. Gently slide your fingers under the skin, starting at the top of the breast and working your way down. Be careful not to tear the skin.
  5. Apply the herb butter. Take about two-thirds of the herb butter and spread it evenly under the skin. Rub the remaining butter all over the outside of the turkey, including the sides and underneath.
  6. Season the outside. Sprinkle the remaining ½ teaspoon of salt over the skin. Drizzle the olive oil over the top and rub it in gently.
  7. Prepare the roasting pan. Arrange the quartered onion and lemon halves in the center of your roasting pan or cast-iron skillet. Place the turkey breast directly on top of them.
  8. Add the broth. Pour the chicken broth into the pan, being careful not to pour it over the turkey.
  9. Roast the turkey. Place the pan in the preheated oven and roast for 55-65 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 155°F (68°C) when inserted into the thickest part of the breast.
  10. Rest and tent. Remove the pan from the oven and transfer the turkey breast to a cutting board. Tent it loosely with aluminum foil and let it rest for 15-20 minutes.
  11. Make a quick pan sauce (optional but recommended). While the turkey rests, place the roasting pan over medium heat on the stovetop. Remove the onion and lemon pieces, then whisk in a splash of broth or white wine. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom. Strain the sauce into a small bowl and serve alongside the turkey.

Notes

Don’t skip the resting time; it keeps the meat juicy. Use a meat thermometer for perfect doneness. If the skin browns too quickly, tent with foil. Let the butter soften properly for even mixing.

Nutrition

Keywords: herb butter roasted turkey breast, easy one-pan turkey, roasted turkey breast, cozy turkey recipe, small Thanksgiving turkey

Find it online: https://cookluma.com/cozy-herb-butter-roasted-turkey-breast-easy-one-pan-recipe/