Pan-Seared Chicken with Cherry Tomatoes and Thyme
Juicy chicken breasts baked with sun-ripened cherry tomatoes, garlic, and fresh herbs until golden and tender. This mediterranean-inspired sheet pan ready in about 30 minutes pairs (6 oz each) chicken breasts, cherry tomatoes, olive oil 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 (6 oz each) chicken breasts
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp, chopped fresh thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 4 chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season evenly with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 3 minutes per side until golden brown, then transfer to a plate.
- Step 3: Add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil to the skillet, followed by 1 cup cherry tomatoes and 2 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 2 minutes until tomatoes begin to soften.
- Step 4: Return chicken to the skillet, nestling it among tomatoes. Sprinkle with 1 tsp chopped thyme. Cover and simmer for 12 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Chicken with Cherry Tomatoes and Thyme take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 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 Cherry Tomatoes 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 Cherry Tomatoes 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 Cherry Tomatoes and Thyme 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 with Cherry Tomatoes and Thyme?
Mediterranean sheet pan 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
- ★★★★★
Perfect for a date night! The chicken was so tender and the tomatoes added the perfect pop of sweetness.
- ★★★★☆
Loved the Mediterranean twist, but the cherry tomatoes turned mushy. Next time I'll use a different variety.
- ★★★★☆
The flavors were wonderful, but I wish the thyme was a bit less. It overpowered the chicken a little.
