Pan-Seared Chicken with Roasted Red Onion and Garlic Jus
Tender pan-seared chicken breasts served with a rich roasted red onion and garlic jus that enhances the savory flavors. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 40 minutes pairs peeled and left whole garlic cloves, olive oil, unsalted butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 360 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.
Ingredients
- 2 pieces (about 6 oz each) boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 medium, sliced into 1/4-inch rings red onion
- 4, peeled and left whole garlic cloves
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 tsp, divided salt
- 1/2 tsp, divided black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss 1 medium sliced red onion rings and 4 whole garlic cloves with 1 tbsp olive oil and 1/2 tsp salt on a baking sheet. Roast for 20 minutes until the onion is tender and the garlic softens.
- Step 2: While the onion roasts, pat dry 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts and season both sides with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper each. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Step 3: Add chicken breasts to the hot skillet and sear for 5 minutes on one side without moving until golden brown, then flip and cook another 4 minutes until cooked through and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove chicken and keep warm.
- Step 4: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add 2 tbsp unsalted butter. Add the roasted red onion and garlic from the oven along with 1 cup chicken broth and 2 sprigs fresh thyme.
- Step 5: Simmer the mixture for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon. Season with remaining 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 6: Serve the chicken breasts drizzled with the roasted red onion and garlic jus.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Chicken with Roasted Red Onion and Garlic Jus take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 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 Roasted Red Onion and Garlic Jus?
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 Roasted Red Onion and Garlic Jus?
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 Roasted Red Onion and Garlic Jus 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 Roasted Red Onion and Garlic Jus?
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.