One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken with Lemon and Thyme

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

Juicy chicken breasts pan-seared in garlic butter with fresh lemon and thyme, perfect for an effortless weeknight dinner. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 25 minutes pairs (about 1 lb) chicken breasts, unsalted butter, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 2 American cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 2 chicken breasts and season evenly with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper on both sides.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the chicken breasts and sear for 5 minutes without moving until golden brown on the first side.
  3. Step 3: Flip the chicken breasts and add 3 tbsp unsalted butter, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 3 fresh thyme sprigs to the pan. Tilt the pan slightly and spoon the melted butter and garlic over the chicken continuously for 3 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
  4. Step 4: Add the zest and juice of 1 lemon and 1/4 cup chicken broth to the pan, allowing it to simmer for 2 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens and coats the chicken.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and let rest for 3 minutes before slicing and serving with the pan sauce spooned on top.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken with Lemon and Thyme take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 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 One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken with Lemon 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 (about 1 lb) chicken breasts from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken with Lemon 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 One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken with Lemon 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 One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken with Lemon and 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.

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