Pan-Seared Chicken with Honey Glaze and Roasted Garlic

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy pan-seared chicken breasts finished with a sweet honey glaze and fragrant roasted garlic for a simple yet flavorful main dish. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 35 minutes pairs olive oil, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 25 min Serves 2 American cuisine 380 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Place 4 whole garlic cloves on a small baking tray, drizzle with 1 tsp olive oil, and roast for 15 minutes until soft and fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Season 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts evenly with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper on both sides.
  3. Step 3: 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 cooked through (internal temperature 165°F).
  4. Step 4: Lower heat to medium, add 1 tbsp unsalted butter and the roasted garlic cloves to the skillet, smashing the garlic slightly with a spoon to release flavor.
  5. Step 5: Drizzle 3 tbsp honey over the chicken breasts and spoon the garlic butter mixture over them continuously for 2 minutes until the honey glaze thickens and coats the chicken.
  6. Step 6: Sprinkle 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves over the chicken and serve immediately with the honey garlic sauce spooned on top.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Chicken with Honey Glaze and Roasted Garlic take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 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 Honey Glaze and Roasted Garlic?

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 Honey Glaze and Roasted Garlic?

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 Honey Glaze and Roasted Garlic 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 Honey Glaze and Roasted Garlic?

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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