Pan-Seared Chicken Breast with Roasted Garlic and Thyme Jus

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pan-seared chicken breasts served with a fragrant roasted garlic and fresh thyme jus, perfect for a comforting dinner. This french-inspired chicken ready in about 40 minutes pairs olive oil, 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 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 30 min Serves 2 French cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Place 6 garlic cloves on a small baking dish, drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil, and roast for 20 minutes until soft and golden.
  2. Step 2: Pat dry 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  3. Step 3: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat in a skillet. Add chicken breasts and sear for 5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through, about 160°F internal temperature. Remove and set aside.
  4. Step 4: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium, add 2 tbsp unsalted butter and 4 sprigs fresh thyme, cooking for 1 minute until butter is melted and fragrant.
  5. Step 5: Squeeze roasted garlic cloves into the pan, add 1/2 cup chicken broth, and simmer for 3 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
  6. Step 6: Return chicken to skillet, spoon sauce over, and cook for 1 more minute to absorb flavors. Remove thyme sprigs before serving.

Frequently asked questions

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

Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 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 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 Roasted 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 Roasted 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 Roasted 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.

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