Pan-Seared Chicken with Lemon-Garlic Herb Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-25 · Updated 2026-04-25

Tender chicken breasts pan-seared to golden perfection and topped with a vibrant lemon-garlic herb sauce that adds brightness and depth. This Mediterranean-inspired New Year's recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs boneless skinless chicken breasts, olive oil, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.

Ingredients

• 4 pieces (6 oz each) boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
• 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 2 tbsp, finely chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat dry 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (6 oz each) and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, then add the chicken breasts and sear for 6 minutes without moving until golden brown on one side.
3. Step 3: Flip the chicken breasts and cook for an additional 5 minutes until cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F; remove chicken and set aside on a plate.
4. Step 4: Reduce heat to medium, add 2 tbsp unsalted butter to the same skillet, then add 4 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
5. Step 5: Stir in 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley, and 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, cooking for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the pan.
6. Step 6: Return the chicken to the skillet, spoon the lemon-garlic herb sauce over each piece, and cook for 1 more minute to meld flavors before serving immediately.