Pan-Seared Chicken with Roasted Garlic and Herb Butter

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

Juicy pan-seared chicken breasts finished with a fragrant roasted garlic and herb butter sauce, perfect for a weeknight dinner. This American chicken recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs boneless skinless chicken breasts, salt, and black pepper 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 "Build a week of meals around this recipe" 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
• 6 garlic cloves
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
• 1 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat dry 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper evenly. Let rest for 5 minutes.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken breasts and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
3. Step 3: While chicken cooks, peel 6 garlic cloves and lightly smash them with the flat side of a knife.
4. Step 4: Reduce heat to medium-low, add 3 tbsp unsalted butter, 6 smashed garlic cloves, 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, and 1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary to the skillet. Spoon the melted herb butter over the chicken continuously for 2 minutes until fragrant and the butter slightly thickens.
5. Step 5: Remove skillet from heat and squeeze 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice over the chicken and butter sauce. Let chicken rest in skillet for 3 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.