Pan-Seared Chicken with Thyme and Lemon Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

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 drafted and published.

Pan-seared and finished with a bright, tangy lemon and fresh thyme sauce. This Mediterranean-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs boneless skinless chicken breasts, olive oil, fresh thyme leaves 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 2 Mediterranean cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (6 oz each) and season evenly with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper on both sides.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the chicken breasts and sear for 6-7 minutes on the first side without moving, until golden brown and edges are crispy.
  3. Step 3: Flip the chicken breasts and cook for another 5 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the chicken feels firm to touch. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside, loosely covered.
  4. Step 4: Reduce heat to medium and add 2 tbsp unsalted butter and 2 minced garlic cloves to the same skillet. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice and 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves. Cook the sauce for 2 minutes, stirring until it thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.
  6. Step 6: Return the chicken to the skillet and spoon the lemon-thyme sauce over the top. Cook for 1 additional minute to rewarm and meld flavors. Serve immediately.

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