Pan-Seared Lemon-Garlic Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomato and Basil
Tender chicken breasts coated in a zesty lemon-garlic sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil, offering bright, balanced flavors. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 25 minutes pairs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, lemon juice, 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 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 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 tbsp, chopped sun-dried tomatoes
- 2 tbsp, fresh, chopped basil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Season both sides of the chicken breasts with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers, then add the chicken breasts and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through, transferring to a plate.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, add 2 tbsp lemon juice and 3 minced garlic cloves, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant and the garlic is golden.
- Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp chopped sun-dried tomatoes and 2 tbsp chopped basil, then return the chicken to the skillet, coating it evenly with the sauce.
- Step 5: Cook for 1 more minute until the sauce thickens slightly and the chicken is fully coated, ensuring the flavors meld.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Lemon-Garlic Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomato and Basil 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 Sun-Dried Tomato and Basil?
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 lemon juice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Lemon-Garlic Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomato and Basil?
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 Sun-Dried Tomato and Basil 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 Lemon-Garlic Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomato and Basil?
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.
- ★★★★★
The aroma while cooking this was absolutely heavenly.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 15-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.