Pan-Seared Chicken with Garlicky Herb Butter
Tender chicken breasts pan-seared to golden perfection and finished with a fragrant garlicky herb butter sauce. This general-inspired chicken ready in about 25 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 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts dry, then season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper evenly.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes. Add chicken breasts and sear for 6-7 minutes on the first side without moving until golden brown.
- Step 3: Flip the chicken breasts and cook for another 5-6 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the chicken is cooked through.
- Step 4: Lower heat to medium and add 3 tbsp unsalted butter to the skillet. Once melted, stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 5: Spoon the garlic herb butter over the chicken for 1 minute, then remove from heat. Stir in 1 tbsp fresh parsley and 1 tbsp lemon juice, and drizzle over the chicken before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Chicken with Garlicky Herb Butter 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 Garlicky Herb Butter?
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 Garlicky Herb Butter?
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 Garlicky Herb Butter 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 Garlicky Herb Butter?
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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