Olive Oil Poached Chicken with Garlic and Thyme
Gently poached in fragrant olive oil infused with fresh garlic and thyme for a moist and flavorful dish. This mediterranean-inspired chicken ready in about 25 minutes pairs extra virgin olive oil, thinly sliced garlic cloves, fresh thyme sprigs for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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 pieces (about 6 oz each) boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves, thinly sliced garlic cloves
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme sprigs
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Place 1 cup extra virgin olive oil, 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves, and 3 fresh thyme sprigs in a medium saucepan over low heat and warm gently for 5 minutes until fragrant but not sizzling.
- Step 2: Add 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz each), 1 tsp sea salt, and 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper to the oil, ensuring they are fully submerged. Maintain the oil temperature at 160°F to 170°F (use a thermometer) and poach gently for 15 minutes, turning once halfway through.
- Step 3: Remove the chicken breasts from the oil and let rest for 5 minutes. Slice and serve drizzled with some of the warm garlic-thyme oil for extra flavor.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Olive Oil Poached Chicken with Garlic and Thyme take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (5 min prep + 20 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 Olive Oil Poached Chicken with Garlic and 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 extra virgin olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Olive Oil Poached Chicken with Garlic and 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 Olive Oil Poached Chicken with Garlic and Thyme 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 Olive Oil Poached Chicken with Garlic and Thyme?
Mediterranean 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.
