Poached Lemon-Herb Chicken with Garlic Pan Sauce

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

Tender chicken breasts gently poached in a fragrant lemon and herb broth, served with a savory garlic pan sauce. This french-inspired chicken ready in about 30 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken breasts, chicken broth, lemon 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 2 French cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large skillet, combine 2 cups chicken broth, 1 sliced lemon, 3 sprigs fresh thyme, and 2 sprigs fresh rosemary. Heat over medium heat until simmering gently.
  2. Step 2: Add 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts seasoned with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper to the broth. Cover and poach for 12-15 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the chicken is tender.
  3. Step 3: Remove chicken to a plate and tent with foil to rest. Discard herbs and lemon from the broth and reduce the liquid over medium-high heat until it thickens slightly, about 3 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Meanwhile, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a separate small pan over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  5. Step 5: Stir in the reduced broth and 1 tbsp unsalted butter into the garlic pan, stirring until the butter melts and the sauce coats the back of a spoon.
  6. Step 6: Slice the poached chicken breasts and drizzle with the garlic pan sauce before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Poached Lemon-Herb Chicken with Garlic Pan Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 Poached Lemon-Herb Chicken with Garlic Pan 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 chicken broth from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Poached Lemon-Herb Chicken with Garlic Pan 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 Poached Lemon-Herb Chicken with Garlic Pan 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.

What goes well with Poached Lemon-Herb Chicken with Garlic Pan Sauce?

French 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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