Pan-Seared Chicken with Fresh Parsley and Basil Herb Sauce
Juicy pan-seared chicken breasts served with a vibrant no-cook sauce of fresh parsley, basil, and thyme, sharpened with lemon and a pinch of red pepper flakes. This Mediterranean-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 22 minutes, pairs boneless skinless chicken breasts, olive oil, salt 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 (about 6 oz each) boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh basil leaves
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme leaves
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 cloves minced garlic cloves
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 tbsp water
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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 boneless skinless chicken breasts and season evenly with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper on both sides.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the chicken breasts and sear for 5-6 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F).
- Step 3: While chicken cooks, combine 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme, 2 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tbsp water, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes in a small bowl. Stir well to create the herb sauce.
- Step 4: Remove chicken from heat and let rest for 3 minutes. Spoon the fresh regional herb sauce over the chicken before serving to impart bright, localized flavors.









