Sautéed Chicken Breast with Garlic and Herb Butter
Tender chicken breasts pan-seared and finished with a fragrant garlic and herb butter sauce. This general-inspired chicken ready in about 25 minutes pairs (6 oz each) chicken breast, unsalted butter, minced garlic 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 (6 oz each) chicken breast
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tsp, chopped fresh thyme
- 1 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 2 chicken breasts dry and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes.
- Step 3: Add the chicken breasts and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Step 4: Reduce heat to medium-low and add 3 tbsp unsalted butter, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme, and 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley to the skillet.
- Step 5: Spoon the melted butter and herbs over the chicken continuously for 2 minutes until fragrant and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Step 6: Remove chicken from skillet, let rest for 3 minutes, and serve drizzled with the garlic herb butter sauce.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Chicken Breast with Garlic and 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 Sautéed Chicken Breast with Garlic and 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 (6 oz each) chicken breast from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Chicken Breast with Garlic and 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 Sautéed Chicken Breast with Garlic and 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 Sautéed Chicken Breast with Garlic and Herb Butter?
General 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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Equipment for this recipe
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