Pan-Seared Lemon Pepper Chicken with Herb Garlic Sauce
Pan-seared with zesty lemon pepper and topped with a fresh herb garlic sauce. This chicken recipe (high protein), ready in about 25 minutes, pairs boneless skinless chicken breasts, lemon pepper seasoning, salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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 pieces (about 6 oz each) boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tbsp lemon pepper seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 cloves, minced fresh garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp, finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tsp, chopped fresh thyme
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts and season both sides evenly with 1 tbsp lemon pepper seasoning and 1 tsp salt.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, then add the chicken breasts. Cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F, then transfer to a plate and tent with foil.
- Step 3: Reduce heat to medium; add 1 tbsp unsalted butter and 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Pour in 1/4 cup chicken broth, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 2 tbsp chopped parsley, and 1 tsp chopped thyme. Stir and cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 5: Return chicken to the skillet and spoon the herb garlic sauce over it. Cook for an additional minute to reheat, then serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Lemon Pepper Chicken with Herb Garlic Sauce 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 Pepper Chicken with Herb Garlic Sauce?
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 pepper seasoning from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Lemon Pepper Chicken with Herb Garlic Sauce?
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 Pepper Chicken with Herb Garlic Sauce 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.
Is Pan-Seared Lemon Pepper Chicken with Herb Garlic Sauce high protein?
Yes — this recipe is tagged high protein based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
