Pan-Seared Garlic Herb Chicken with Asparagus
Juicy chicken breasts simmered in a fragrant garlic-herb cream sauce with crisp-tender asparagus, ready in 30 minutes. This american-inspired chicken (low-carb) ready in about 35 minutes pairs olive oil, minced garlic, fresh thyme for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 310 calories and feeds 4, 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
- 4 (6 oz each) boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme
- 1 tsp, chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 lb, trimmed asparagus
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp, grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F), then transfer to a plate and tent loosely with foil.
- Step 2: Add the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil to the same skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, then add 1 tbsp fresh thyme and 1 tsp chopped rosemary, stirring for 1 minute.
- Step 3: Add 1/2 cup heavy cream and 1 tbsp lemon juice to the skillet, stirring to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 2 minutes until slightly thickened. Return the chicken to the skillet, add 1 lb trimmed asparagus, and cook for 5-7 minutes until the asparagus is tender-crisp and the chicken is heated through.
- Step 4: Sprinkle with 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese and serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Garlic Herb Chicken with Asparagus take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (15 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 Garlic Herb Chicken with Asparagus?
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 Garlic Herb Chicken with Asparagus?
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 Garlic Herb Chicken with Asparagus for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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.
Is Pan-Seared Garlic Herb Chicken with Asparagus low-carb?
Yes — this recipe is tagged low-carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
My partner, who's usually picky, absolutely loved this.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 20-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★☆☆
Decent recipe but nothing special. Might try a different version.
