Pan-Seared Chicken Breast with Lemon Sage Butter
Juicy chicken breasts seared until golden brown and finished with a fragrant lemon-sage butter sauce, ideal with roasted potatoes or steamed greens. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 22 minutes pairs (6 oz each) chicken breasts, olive oil, juiced lemon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 310 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
- 1, juiced lemon
- 2 tbsp fresh, chopped sage
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1 clove, minced garlic
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat chicken breasts dry and season both sides with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Step 2: Sear chicken for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F, then transfer to a plate.
- Step 3: Add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil to skillet, then stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 4: Return chicken to skillet, add lemon juice, 1 tbsp sage, and 2 tbsp butter. Spoon pan juices over chicken and cook for 2 more minutes until sauce thickens slightly and coats the chicken.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Chicken Breast with Lemon Sage Butter 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-Seared Chicken Breast with Lemon Sage Butter?
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-Seared Chicken Breast with Lemon Sage Butter?
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 Sage Butter 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-Seared Chicken Breast with Lemon Sage Butter?
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! So juicy and flavorful.
- ★★★★★
My kids devoured this! Easy and impressive.
- ★★★★★
Perfect for date night, the lemon sage butter was divine!
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