Pan-Seared Chicken with Butter Garlic Sauce and Thyme

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken breasts pan-seared to golden perfection, served with a fragrant butter garlic thyme sauce. This general-inspired chicken ready in about 25 minutes pairs (6 oz each) chicken breasts, unsalted butter, minced garlic cloves 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.

★ 4.6 (10 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 2 General cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 2 chicken breasts (6 oz each) and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  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 6 minutes on the first side without moving until golden brown.
  3. Step 3: Flip the chicken and cook the other side for 5 minutes until cooked through and juices run clear. Remove chicken to a plate.
  4. Step 4: Lower heat to medium, add 3 tbsp unsalted butter and 4 minced garlic cloves to the skillet. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and garlic is golden but not burnt.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 2 tsp chopped fresh thyme and cook for 30 seconds until aromatic.
  6. Step 6: Return chicken to the skillet and spoon the butter garlic thyme sauce over it for 1 minute to warm through before serving.

Frequently asked questions

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

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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 with Butter Garlic Sauce 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 (6 oz each) chicken breasts from drying out.

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

General 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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