Pan-Seared Chicken Breast with Lemon-Half Glaze
Juicy chicken breasts pan-seared and glazed with a bright, tangy lemon sauce made using precisely half a lemon's juice. This mediterranean-inspired chicken (high protein) ready in about 25 minutes pairs olive oil, 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 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.
Ingredients
- 2 pieces (about 6 oz each) boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp (juice of half a lemon) lemon juice
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz each) 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. Add chicken breasts and cook for 5-6 minutes on one side without moving until golden brown.
- Step 3: Flip chicken breasts and cook for another 5 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear.
- Step 4: Reduce heat to medium, add 2 minced garlic cloves to the pan and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 5: Stir in 1 tbsp lemon juice (from half a lemon) and 1 tbsp honey, swirling the pan to create a glaze. Cook for 1-2 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the chicken.
- Step 6: Remove from heat, sprinkle 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley over the chicken, and serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Chicken Breast with Lemon-Half Glaze 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 Lemon-Half Glaze?
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 Lemon-Half Glaze?
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 Lemon-Half Glaze 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.
Is Pan-Seared Chicken Breast with Lemon-Half Glaze high protein?
Yes — this recipe is tagged high protein based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
Related recipes
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
