Minnesota River Valley Herb-Crusted Chicken

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Baked with a fragrant herb crust, featuring locally sourced herbs and a lemon-dill sauce. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 40 minutes pairs chicken breasts, dried thyme, dried rosemary for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 American cuisine 380 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Season 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts with 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp dried rosemary, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, and 1/2 tsp paprika.
  2. Step 2: Dredge each chicken breast in 2 tbsp all-purpose flour, shaking off excess, then place in a baking dish.
  3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat, add chicken, and sear for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.
  4. Step 4: Transfer skillet to oven and bake for 18-20 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and chicken is no longer pink.
  5. Step 5: While chicken bakes, whisk 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp fresh dill, and 1/4 cup heavy cream in a small bowl.
  6. Step 6: Remove chicken from oven, tent with foil, and let rest for 5 minutes. Drizzle with lemon-dill sauce and serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Minnesota River Valley Herb-Crusted Chicken take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (15 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 Minnesota River Valley 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 chicken breasts from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Minnesota River Valley 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 Minnesota River Valley Herb-Crusted Chicken 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 Minnesota River Valley 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

Related recipes