One-Pan Lemon Herb Chicken with Cherry Tomatoes

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

A simple, flavorful dinner where chicken breasts cook with fresh herbs and tomatoes in a single pan for minimal cleanup. This mediterranean-inspired one pot ready in about 30 minutes pairs chicken breasts, olive oil, lemon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 350 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 4 chicken breasts dry with paper towels, then season both sides with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken breasts and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown, then remove and set aside.
  3. Step 3: In the same skillet, add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, then add 1 cup cherry tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes until slightly softened.
  4. Step 4: Squeeze juice from 1 lemon over the tomatoes, add 1 tbsp fresh thyme, and pour in 1/2 cup chicken broth. Return chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the tomato mixture. Cover and simmer on low heat for 10-12 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) internally and sauce thickens slightly.

Frequently asked questions

How long does One-Pan Lemon Herb Chicken with Cherry Tomatoes 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 Herb Chicken with Cherry Tomatoes?

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 One-Pan Lemon Herb Chicken with Cherry Tomatoes?

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 Herb Chicken with Cherry Tomatoes 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 Herb Chicken with Cherry Tomatoes?

Mediterranean one pot 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