Pan-Seared Chicken with Tangy Citrus Honey Glaze

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-22 · Updated 2026-07-22

Pan-seared to golden perfection and finished with a bright, tangy citrus honey glaze that balances sweet and savory. This 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 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 (6 oz each) chicken breasts
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 3 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp orange zest
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves

Know when the chicken is done: thermometers under $100 → Best Instant-Read Thermometers for 2026: Fast, Accurate Picks Under $100

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat dry 2 chicken breasts (6 oz each), season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Step 2: Place chicken breasts in the skillet and sear for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp 165°F), then remove and keep warm.
3. Step 3: Lower heat to medium, add 2 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant without browning.
4. Step 4: Stir in 3 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, and 1 tsp orange zest; cook for 2 minutes until the glaze thickens slightly.
5. Step 5: Return chicken to skillet, spoon the glaze over each piece, sprinkle 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves, and cook for another 1 minute to coat and infuse flavor before serving.