Pan-Fried Chicken Breast with Garlic and Thyme
Juicy chicken breasts seared to golden perfection with aromatic garlic and thyme, finished with a savory pan sauce. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 22 minutes pairs (6 oz each) chicken breasts, olive oil, (minced) garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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 (6 oz each) chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves (minced) garlic
- 1 tbsp (chopped) fresh thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat the 4 (6 oz each) chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Step 3: Add chicken breasts and cook for 5 minutes on one side without moving until golden brown.
- Step 4: Flip chicken and cook for 5-6 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Step 5: Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Step 6: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme to the skillet and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 7: Pour in 1/4 cup chicken broth and bring to a simmer, scraping up browned bits.
- Step 8: Return chicken to skillet, reduce heat to medium, and cook for 2 minutes to absorb flavors.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Fried Chicken Breast with Garlic and Thyme take to make?
Total time is about 22 minutes (10 min prep + 12 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 Pan-Fried Chicken Breast 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 (6 oz each) chicken breasts from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Fried Chicken Breast 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 Pan-Fried Chicken Breast with Garlic and Thyme 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 Pan-Fried Chicken Breast with Garlic 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Loved it! Perfect for a weeknight dinner.
- ★★★★★
This was so simple and delicious! My kids loved the garlic and thyme flavor. Will make again.
- ★★★★☆
The chicken was a bit dry for my taste, but the garlic and thyme made it tasty. Took longer than the recipe said to cook.
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