Pan-Seared Garlic-Herb Chicken with Asparagus

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy chicken thighs cooked to golden perfection with aromatic garlic and fresh herbs, served alongside tender asparagus. This american-inspired chicken (keto, high-protein) ready in about 30 minutes pairs boneless, skin-on thighs chicken thighs, olive oil, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 385 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 American cuisine 385 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season both sides with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken skin-side down and cook for 5 minutes until golden brown, then flip and cook for 3 more minutes.
  3. Step 3: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp chopped thyme to the skillet, stirring for 30 seconds until fragrant. Transfer chicken to a plate and set aside.
  4. Step 4: Add asparagus to the skillet with 1 tbsp butter, cooking for 4-5 minutes until crisp-tender. Return chicken to the skillet, spooning pan juices over the top.
  5. Step 5: Squeeze 1 tbsp lemon juice over the chicken and asparagus, cooking for 1 minute more until heated through.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Garlic-Herb Chicken with Asparagus take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 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 keto?

Yes — this recipe is tagged keto, high-protein, low-carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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