Pan-Seared Chicken Breast with Garlic and Thyme Jus

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

Tender chicken breasts pan-seared to golden perfection and finished with a fragrant garlic-thyme pan sauce. This french-inspired chicken ready in about 25 minutes pairs olive oil, unsalted butter, fresh garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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 French cuisine 320 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (6 oz each) and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken breasts and sear for 6 minutes without moving until the underside is golden brown.
  3. Step 3: Flip chicken breasts and add 1 tbsp unsalted butter, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 3 fresh thyme sprigs to the skillet. Cook for another 5 minutes, spooning the melted butter, garlic, and thyme over the chicken to baste.
  4. Step 4: Remove chicken to a plate and tent with foil to rest. Pour 1/2 cup chicken broth into the skillet, scraping up any browned bits, and simmer over medium heat for 3 minutes until sauce reduces slightly and thickens.
  5. Step 5: Pour the garlic-thyme jus over the chicken breasts and serve immediately.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Chicken Breast with Garlic and 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-Seared Chicken Breast with Garlic and 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-Seared Chicken Breast with Garlic and 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-Seared Chicken Breast with Garlic and Thyme Jus 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 Pan-Seared Chicken Breast with Garlic and Thyme Jus?

French 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.

Related recipes