Pan-Seared Chicken with Low Heat Lemon Garlic Sauce

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

Tender chicken breasts pan-seared and finished with a bright, low-heat lemon garlic sauce that preserves the fresh flavors. This Mediterranean-inspired low-carb recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs 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 2, so it slots cleanly into a low-carb week and pairs well with cauliflower rice or roasted green vegetables. 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: 20 min Serves 2 Mediterranean cuisine 320 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 2 chicken breasts (6 oz each) and season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper on both sides. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
  2. Step 2: Place the chicken breasts into the skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove chicken and keep warm.
  3. Step 3: Lower heat to low. Add 3 minced garlic cloves to the same skillet and sauté gently for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 3 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice and 1/4 cup low sodium chicken broth, stirring to deglaze the pan and release browned bits. Simmer on low heat for 2 minutes.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 2 tbsp unsalted butter until melted and sauce thickens slightly, coating the back of a spoon. Return chicken to the pan and spoon the sauce over it.
  6. Step 6: Sprinkle 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley over the chicken before serving for a fresh finish.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Chicken with Low Heat Lemon Garlic Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 Low Heat Lemon Garlic Sauce?

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 chicken breasts from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Chicken with Low Heat Lemon Garlic Sauce?

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 Low Heat Lemon Garlic Sauce 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 Low Heat Lemon Garlic Sauce?

Mediterranean low carb like this pair well with a low-carb side — cauliflower rice, roasted broccoli or asparagus, or a leafy salad with olive oil and parmesan. Rice, couscous and bread would blow the carb budget this recipe is built around. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

What others are saying

Related recipes