Pan-Seared Chicken Breast with Thyme and Garlic
Juicy chicken breasts seared to golden perfection, infused with fresh thyme and garlic, finished with a simple pan sauce for a classic dinner. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 30 minutes pairs olive oil, minced garlic, leaves chopped fresh thyme 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 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, boneless skinless (6 oz each) chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tbsp, leaves chopped fresh thyme
- to taste salt
- to taste pepper
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Step 2: Add chicken breasts to the skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes per side, or until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F, flipping once.
- Step 3: Reduce heat to medium, add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in 1/4 cup chicken broth and add 1 tbsp butter, stirring until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 2 minutes.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Chicken Breast with Thyme and Garlic take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 Thyme and Garlic?
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 Thyme and Garlic?
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 Thyme and Garlic 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 Thyme and Garlic?
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
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
