Half-and-Half Baked Chicken with Thyme
Tender chicken breasts baked in a creamy thyme-infused half-and-half sauce, perfect for weeknight dinners with minimal cleanup. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 35 minutes pairs half-and-half, fresh thyme leaves, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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 boneless, skinless (1.5 lbs total) chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup half-and-half
- 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Place 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts in a baking dish and season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Whisk together 1/2 cup half-and-half and 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves until smooth.
- Step 3: Pour the half-and-half mixture evenly over the chicken breasts in the baking dish.
- Step 4: Drizzle 1 tbsp olive oil over the chicken.
- Step 5: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature and sauce is bubbling around edges.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Half-and-Half Baked Chicken with Thyme take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 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 Half-and-Half Baked Chicken with Thyme?
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 half-and-half from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Half-and-Half Baked Chicken with Thyme?
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 Half-and-Half Baked Chicken with Thyme 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 Half-and-Half Baked Chicken with Thyme?
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
- ★★★★★
Substituted chicken for tofu and it worked beautifully.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
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