Pan-Seared Chicken with Garlic Herb Butter and Fresh Rolls

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy pan-seared chicken breasts topped with a fragrant garlic herb butter, paired with soft, freshly baked dinner rolls for a comforting American meal. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 25 minutes pairs unsalted butter, minced garlic cloves, chopped fresh parsley for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 American cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts and season both sides 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. Add chicken breasts and sear for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  3. Step 3: In the last 2 minutes of cooking, add 4 tbsp unsalted butter, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, and 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme to the pan. Spoon the melted garlic herb butter over the chicken continuously to infuse flavor.
  4. Step 4: Remove chicken from skillet and let rest for 5 minutes.
  5. Step 5: Serve the chicken topped with the garlic herb butter alongside 8 fresh-baked dinner rolls warmed in the oven at 350°F for 5 minutes.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Chicken with Garlic Herb Butter and Fresh Rolls 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 Herb Butter and Fresh Rolls?

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 unsalted butter from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Chicken with Garlic Herb Butter and Fresh Rolls?

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 Herb Butter and Fresh Rolls 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 Herb Butter and Fresh Rolls?

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.

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