Aperol-Glazed Chicken with Herb Salad
Juicy chicken breasts coated in a glossy Aperol-herb glaze, served atop a peppery arugula salad for a balanced dinner with bright, complex flavors. This italian-american-inspired chicken ready in about 30 minutes pairs (6 oz each) chicken breasts, Aperol, Dijon mustard for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 385 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 (6 oz each) chicken breasts
- 3 tbsp Aperol
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme
- 2 cloves garlic
- 5 oz arugula
- 1/2 lemon
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pound chicken breasts to 1/2-inch thickness between parchment paper using a meat mallet. Season both sides with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp Aperol, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp minced fresh thyme, and 2 minced garlic cloves until emulsified.
- Step 3: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 5 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F, basting occasionally with the glaze.
- Step 4: Remove chicken and let rest for 5 minutes while preparing the salad.
- Step 5: Toss 5 oz arugula with 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1/2 thinly sliced lemon, and a pinch of salt until evenly coated.
- Step 6: Slice rested chicken and serve with arugula salad, drizzling any remaining pan glaze over the top.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Aperol-Glazed Chicken with Herb Salad take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Aperol-Glazed Chicken with Herb Salad?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (6 oz each) chicken breasts from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Aperol-Glazed Chicken with Herb Salad?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Aperol-Glazed Chicken with Herb Salad for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Aperol-Glazed Chicken with Herb Salad?
Italian-American chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
