Pan-Seared Chicken Breast with Thyme and Garlic Butter

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

Tender chicken breasts pan-seared to golden perfection and finished with a fragrant thyme and garlic butter sauce. This international-inspired chicken ready in about 17 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken breasts, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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.

★ 4.4 (14 ratings) Prep: 5 min Cook: 12 min Serves 2 International cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (6 oz each), then season evenly with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper on both sides.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, then add the chicken breasts. Cook for 5-6 minutes without moving until the underside is golden brown.
  3. Step 3: Flip the chicken breasts and add 3 tbsp unsalted butter, 3 smashed garlic cloves, and 3 fresh thyme sprigs to the skillet. Tilt the pan slightly and spoon the melted butter over the chicken repeatedly for 4-5 minutes until cooked through and the butter is fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Remove chicken from heat, let rest for 5 minutes while spooning pan butter over the top occasionally to keep moist and flavorful.

Frequently asked questions

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

Total time is about 17 minutes (5 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 Thyme and Garlic 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 salt from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Chicken Breast with Thyme and Garlic 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 Thyme and Garlic Butter 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 Thyme and Garlic Butter?

International 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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