Pan-Seared Chicken with Garlic and Fresh Thyme
Juicy chicken breasts seared to perfection with aromatic garlic and thyme, served with a simple pan sauce. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 22 minutes pairs olive oil, minced garlic cloves, fresh thyme leaves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 310 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 boneless, skinless (about 6 oz each) chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Step 2: Add chicken breasts to the skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F, reducing heat to medium if browning too quickly.
- Step 3: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves to the skillet, stirring for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in 1/4 cup chicken broth and 1 tbsp butter, then reduce heat to low. Simmer for 2 minutes, basting the chicken with the sauce until sauce thickens slightly.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Chicken with Garlic and Fresh Thyme take to make?
Total time is about 22 minutes (10 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 with Garlic and Fresh 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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Chicken with Garlic and Fresh 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 Garlic and Fresh 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 Garlic and Fresh Thyme?
American 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
The step-by-step instructions were super clear. Turned out perfect on my first try.
- ★★★★★
Added some red pepper flakes for heat — highly recommend.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 12-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
