Pan-Seared Chicken with Garlic Chili Butter Sauce

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy pan-seared chicken breasts finished in a rich garlic chili butter sauce, perfect for a quick and flavorful dinner. This general-inspired chicken ready in about 25 minutes pairs (about 6 oz each) chicken breasts, salt, black pepper 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.

★ 4.5 (13 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 2 General cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 2 chicken breasts and season both sides evenly with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. 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 each side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp 165°F), then transfer to a plate and keep warm.
  3. Step 3: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add 3 tbsp unsalted butter. Once melted, stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/2 tsp red chili flakes, cooking for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and the garlic is golden but not burnt.
  4. Step 4: Spoon the garlic chili butter sauce over the chicken breasts, sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley on top, and serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Chicken with Garlic Chili Butter Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 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 Garlic Chili Butter Sauce?

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 Chili Butter Sauce?

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 Chili Butter Sauce 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 Chili Butter Sauce?

General 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.

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