Pan-Seared Chicken with Garlic Butter and Fresh Herbs
Juicy chicken breasts pan-seared to golden perfection and finished with a fragrant garlic butter sauce infused with fresh thyme and parsley. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 17 minutes pairs salt, black pepper, olive oil 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. 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
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts dry 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, about 2 minutes. Add the chicken breasts and sear for 5-6 minutes on the first side until golden brown and edges are crispy.
- Step 3: Flip the chicken breasts and add 3 tbsp unsalted butter, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves to the skillet. Spoon the melted butter and garlic over the chicken as it cooks for another 5 minutes until an internal temperature of 165°F is reached.
- Step 4: Remove chicken from heat, stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley and 1 tbsp lemon juice into the garlic butter sauce in the pan. Pour the sauce over the chicken before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Chicken with Garlic Butter and Fresh Herbs take to make?
Total time is about 17 minutes (5 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 Butter and Fresh Herbs?
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 salt from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Chicken with Garlic Butter and Fresh Herbs?
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 Butter and Fresh Herbs 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 Garlic Butter and Fresh Herbs?
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.
Related recipes
Sautéed Garlic Herb Chicken with Lemon Zest
Pan-Seared Chicken with Garlic Herb Butter and Green Beans
Baked Herb-Rubbed Chicken with Garlic and Thyme
Pan-Seared Chicken with Garlicky Herb Butter Sauce
Sautéed Chicken with Garlic and Paprika Butter Sauce
Pan-Seared Chicken with Garlic Butter and Herb Jus
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
