Sautéed Chicken Breast with Garlic and Herb Butter Sauce

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken breasts pan-seared and finished with a fragrant garlic and herb butter sauce, perfect for an easy dinner. This french-inspired sandwiches & wraps ready in about 25 minutes pairs salt, black pepper, olive oil 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.

★ 4.4 (8 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 2 French cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz each) and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper evenly.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, then add the chicken breasts and cook for 5-6 minutes on the first side without moving until golden brown.
  3. Step 3: Flip the chicken breasts and cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the meat is cooked through.
  4. Step 4: Reduce heat to medium-low, add 3 tbsp unsalted butter, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves to the pan, stirring continuously to melt the butter and infuse the garlic and thyme for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  5. Step 5: Spoon the garlic herb butter over the chicken breasts, then remove from heat and drizzle with 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice and sprinkle 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Chicken Breast with Garlic and Herb Butter 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 Sautéed Chicken Breast with Garlic and Herb Butter 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 salt from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Chicken Breast with Garlic and Herb Butter 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 Sautéed Chicken Breast with Garlic and Herb Butter 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 Sautéed Chicken Breast with Garlic and Herb Butter Sauce?

French sandwiches & wraps 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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