Quick Pan-Seared Chicken with Lemon and Thyme
Tender chicken breasts quickly seared with lemon and fresh thyme, ready in under 15 minutes. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 22 minutes pairs tablespoon olive oil, teaspoon salt, teaspoon black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 240 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
- 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 1.5 pounds chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking.
- Step 3: Add chicken breasts and cook for 5-6 minutes per side, or until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Step 4: Remove chicken from skillet and set aside. Add 1 lemon (zested and juiced), 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, and 2 tablespoons unsalted butter to the skillet.
- Step 5: Stir constantly until butter melts and sauce thickens slightly, about 2 minutes. Pour sauce over chicken and serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Quick Pan-Seared Chicken with Lemon and Thyme take to make?
Total time is about 22 minutes (10 min prep + 12 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 Quick Pan-Seared Chicken with Lemon and Thyme?
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 tablespoon olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Quick Pan-Seared Chicken with Lemon and Thyme?
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 Quick Pan-Seared Chicken with Lemon and Thyme 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 Quick Pan-Seared Chicken with Lemon and Thyme?
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
- ★★★★★
This recipe is a keeper. Made it for my partner and he loved it.
- ★★★★★
Perfect for busy weeknights. The lemon thyme sauce was amazing.
- ★★★★★
Loved it! My kids devoured this.
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