Pan-Seared Lemon Garlic Chicken with Herb Butter
Tender chicken breasts pan-seared to golden perfection, finished with a zesty lemon garlic herb butter sauce. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 25 minutes pairs salt, black pepper, olive oil 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 (6 oz each) boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (6 oz each) and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper evenly.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 1 minute. Add chicken breasts and sear for 5-6 minutes on one side without moving until golden brown and edges crisp.
- Step 3: Flip chicken breasts and cook for another 5 minutes until cooked through (internal temperature 165°F). Remove chicken to a plate and tent with foil to rest.
- Step 4: Reduce heat to medium and add 3 tbsp unsalted butter to the skillet. Once melted, stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 5: Add 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, and 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves, stirring to combine and letting the sauce thicken slightly for 1 minute.
- Step 6: Return chicken to the skillet and spoon the lemon garlic herb butter over the top, cooking for another minute to coat and warm through.
- Step 7: Serve chicken breasts drizzled with the herb butter sauce and garnish with additional parsley if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Lemon Garlic Chicken with Herb Butter take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 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 Lemon Garlic Chicken with Herb Butter?
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 salt from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Lemon Garlic Chicken with Herb Butter?
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 Lemon Garlic Chicken with Herb Butter for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Lemon Garlic Chicken with Herb Butter?
American 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.
