One-Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken with Herb Butter
Tender chicken breasts pan-seared with bright lemon and garlic, finished with a silky herb butter sauce for effortless weeknight comfort. This chicken-inspired chicken ready in about 30 minutes pairs about 6 oz each chicken breasts, salt, black pepper 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 pieces, about 6 oz each chicken breasts
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp, finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 4 chicken breasts and season evenly with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper on both sides.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, then add chicken breasts and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp 165°F).
- Step 3: Remove chicken from skillet and set aside on a plate, tented with foil to keep warm.
- Step 4: Reduce heat to medium, add 3 tbsp unsalted butter and 4 minced garlic cloves to the skillet, sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 5: Stir in 1/4 cup chicken broth and 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, simmer for 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
- Step 6: Return chicken to skillet, spoon sauce over to coat, and sprinkle 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken with Herb Butter take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 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 One-Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken with Herb Butter?
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 salt from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken with Herb Butter?
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 Lemon Garlic Chicken with Herb Butter 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 One-Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken with Herb Butter?
Chicken 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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