Half-Portion Herb-Crusted Chicken
Juicy chicken breasts with a crisp herb crust, baked to golden perfection for a light yet satisfying meal. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 45 minutes pairs (8 oz total) chicken breasts, olive oil, chopped fresh rosemary for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 2, 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
- 2 (8 oz total) chicken breasts
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp, chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 tsp, chopped fresh thyme
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Step 2: Pat 2 chicken breasts (8 oz total) dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, combine 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp chopped rosemary, 1 tsp chopped thyme, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 3: Brush the herb mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts.
- Step 4: Place chicken in a baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and edges are golden brown.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Half-Portion Herb-Crusted Chicken take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (20 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-Portion Herb-Crusted Chicken?
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 (8 oz total) chicken breasts from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Half-Portion Herb-Crusted Chicken?
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-Portion Herb-Crusted Chicken for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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-Portion Herb-Crusted Chicken?
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
- ★★★★★
This has become our go-to chicken dish. We make it weekly.
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 25-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
