Pan-Roasted Chicken with Garlic Thyme Jus
Tender chicken breasts pan-roasted and finished with a fragrant garlic thyme jus, perfect for a comforting meal. This general-inspired chicken ready in about 25 minutes pairs olive oil, minced garlic cloves, fresh thyme sprigs 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 (6 oz each) boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme sprigs
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 4 boneless skinless 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 the chicken breasts and sear for 5 minutes without moving until golden brown on the bottom.
- Step 3: Flip the chicken breasts and add 4 minced garlic cloves and 3 fresh thyme sprigs to the skillet, sautéing and spooning the flavored oil over the chicken for another 5 minutes until cooked through and juices run clear.
- Step 4: Remove the chicken to a plate and cover loosely with foil. Pour 1/2 cup chicken broth into the skillet and simmer over medium heat for 3 minutes, scraping up browned bits to form a jus.
- Step 5: Stir in 2 tbsp unsalted butter until melted and the sauce slightly thickens. Pour the garlic thyme jus over the chicken before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Roasted Chicken with Garlic Thyme Jus 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 Pan-Roasted Chicken with Garlic Thyme Jus?
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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Roasted Chicken with Garlic Thyme Jus?
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-Roasted Chicken with Garlic Thyme Jus 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-Roasted Chicken with Garlic Thyme Jus?
General 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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