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Perfect Herb Butter Roasted Turkey Breast: Easy Small Batch Dinner

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This Perfect Herb Butter Roasted Turkey Breast is a small-batch dinner that delivers golden, crackling skin and tender, juicy meat. It’s a simple, reliable recipe that feels special without the stress of a full holiday meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • Turkey Breast (2-3 lbs), bone-in, skin-on
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, leaves stripped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for the skin
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ lemon
  • ½ cup chicken or turkey broth

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Let turkey breast sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes. Pat completely dry with paper towels.
  2. In a small bowl, combine softened butter, minced garlic, chopped rosemary, thyme, parsley, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper. Mash with a fork until evenly distributed.
  3. Gently loosen the skin of the turkey breast with your fingers, creating a pocket between the skin and meat without tearing.
  4. Push about two-thirds of the herb butter under the loosened skin, spreading evenly. Rub remaining butter all over the outside of the skin.
  5. Sprinkle outside with extra salt and pepper. Drizzle olive oil over skin and rub in gently. Squeeze lemon half over turkey and place squeezed lemon in cavity or next to breast in pan.
  6. Pour ½ cup chicken broth into the bottom of a small roasting pan or 9×13-inch baking dish. Place turkey breast skin side up. Roast for 50-60 minutes, basting halfway through with pan juices, until internal temperature reaches 155°F (68°C) in the thickest part.
  7. Remove from oven. Transfer turkey to a cutting board, tent loosely with foil, and rest for 10-15 minutes. Temperature will rise to 160-165°F (71-74°C).
  8. Optional: While turkey rests, pour pan drippings into a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat, whisk in 1 tablespoon butter and a splash of lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper.
  9. Slice turkey against the grain into even slices. Arrange on a platter and spoon pan sauce over the top.

Notes

Dry the skin thoroughly for crispy results. Use a meat thermometer for accuracy. Let the turkey rest before carving to retain juices. For a dairy-free option, use vegan butter. For a larger crowd, double the recipe and increase cooking time to 70-80 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: herb butter roasted turkey breast, small batch turkey, easy turkey dinner, roasted turkey breast, turkey for two

Find it online: https://eliplate.com/perfect-herb-butter-roasted-turkey-breast-easy-small-batch-dinner/