Pan-Seared Chicken with Caramelized Shallots and Thyme
Juicy chicken breasts pan-seared to golden perfection, topped with sweet caramelized shallots and fresh thyme for an aromatic finish. This Mediterranean-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs chicken breasts, shallots, fresh thyme leaves 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 pieces (6 oz each) chicken breasts
- 3 medium, thinly sliced shallots
- 1 tbsp, chopped fresh thyme leaves
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 2 chicken breasts (6 oz each) and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 5-6 minutes on one side until golden brown and edges look cooked.
- Step 3: Flip the chicken breasts and reduce heat to medium. Add 1 tbsp unsalted butter to the pan, spoon the melted butter over the chicken, and cook for another 5 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Step 4: Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside, covering loosely with foil.
- Step 5: In the same skillet, add 3 thinly sliced shallots and 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme leaves. Sauté over medium heat for 6-7 minutes until shallots soften and caramelize with a rich golden color, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
- Step 6: Return the chicken to the skillet and spoon the caramelized shallots and thyme over the top. Let rest for 2 minutes before serving.








