Pan-Seared Chicken Breast with Roasted Garlic and Thyme

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

Juicy pan-seared chicken breasts infused with roasted garlic and fresh thyme, complemented by a buttery pan sauce. This french-inspired chicken (high protein, gluten free) ready in about 45 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken breasts, olive oil, garlic cloves 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 rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. 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.

★ 4.4 (8 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 35 min Serves 4 French cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Place 6 whole unpeeled garlic cloves on a small baking sheet and roast for 20 minutes until soft and fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Pat dry 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  3. Step 3: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken breasts and sear for 4 minutes on each side until golden brown.
  4. Step 4: Add 4 sprigs fresh thyme and 3 tbsp unsalted butter to the skillet. Tilt pan slightly and spoon melted butter over chicken for 1 minute to baste.
  5. Step 5: Transfer skillet to the preheated oven and roast chicken for 8-10 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  6. Step 6: Remove skillet from oven; squeeze the roasted garlic cloves from their skins into the pan. Add 1/2 cup chicken broth and 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice. Simmer over medium heat for 2 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
  7. Step 7: Spoon the garlic-thyme butter sauce over chicken before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Chicken Breast with Roasted Garlic and Thyme take to make?

Total time is about 45 minutes (10 min prep + 35 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 Roasted 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 olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Chicken Breast with Roasted 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-Seared Chicken Breast with Roasted 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.

Is Pan-Seared Chicken Breast with Roasted Garlic and Thyme high protein?

Yes — this recipe is tagged high protein, gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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