Pan-Seared Italian Herb Chicken with Roasted Garlic

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken breasts pan-seared with Italian herbs and finished with roasted garlic butter for a flavorful, simple entrée. This italian-inspired chicken ready in about 35 minutes pairs extra virgin olive oil, whole cloves, peeled garlic cloves, dried Italian seasoning for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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: 10 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place 6 whole peeled garlic cloves on a small baking sheet and drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil. Roast for 15 minutes until softened and golden.
  2. Step 2: While garlic roasts, season 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts evenly with 2 tsp dried Italian seasoning, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper on both sides.
  3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and sear for 5 minutes on each side, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp 165°F).
  4. Step 4: Remove chicken from pan; reduce heat to low and add 3 tbsp unsalted butter along with the roasted garlic cloves. Mash the garlic into the butter with a spoon and cook for 1 minute to infuse flavors.
  5. Step 5: Return chicken to the skillet, spoon garlic butter over each piece, and sprinkle with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

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

Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 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 Italian Herb Chicken with Roasted Garlic?

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 extra virgin olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Italian Herb Chicken with Roasted Garlic?

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 Italian Herb Chicken with Roasted Garlic 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.

What goes well with Pan-Seared Italian Herb Chicken with Roasted Garlic?

Italian 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.

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