Pan-Seared Chicken with Lemon Thyme Glaze

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-15 · Updated 2026-04-15

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Cooked to golden perfection with a bright lemon-thyme sauce that complements the natural flavor of the meat. This American-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs chicken breasts, olive oil, salt 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 American cuisine 320 cal/serving

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Ingredients

4 boneless, skinless (1.5 lbs) chicken breasts
2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1, zested and juiced lemon
1 tbsp, chopped fresh thyme
1 tbsp butter

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Instructions

Step 1: Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken breasts and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Step 3: Remove chicken and set aside. Add 1 tbsp butter and 1 tbsp fresh thyme to the skillet, stirring to combine with pan drippings.
Step 4: Stir in 1 lemon zest and 2 tbsp lemon juice, cooking for 1 minute until sauce is fragrant and slightly reduced.
Step 5: Return chicken to skillet, spooning sauce over top. Cook for 1 minute to reheat and coat evenly.