Sautéed Chicken with Garlic and Thyme in Stainless Steel Pan
Tender chicken breasts sautéed with fresh garlic and thyme in a stainless steel pan, delivering a fragrant and flavorful meal. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 25 minutes pairs olive oil, minced garlic cloves, chopped fresh thyme 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.
Ingredients
- 2 pieces (about 1 lb) boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tsp, chopped fresh thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb total) and season evenly with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper on both sides.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a 5.5-quart stainless steel sauté pan over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes.
- Step 3: Add the chicken breasts to the pan and cook without moving for 5 minutes until the edges develop a golden crust.
- Step 4: Flip the chicken and add 4 minced garlic cloves and 2 tsp chopped fresh thyme around the pan, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 5: Reduce heat to medium, add 2 tbsp unsalted butter, and baste the chicken with the melted butter and garlic thyme mixture for another 3-4 minutes until cooked through (internal temp 165°F).
- Step 6: Remove chicken from the pan and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Chicken with Garlic and Thyme in Stainless Steel Pan 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 with Garlic and Thyme in Stainless Steel Pan?
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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Chicken with Garlic and Thyme in Stainless Steel Pan?
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 with Garlic and Thyme in Stainless Steel Pan 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 with Garlic and Thyme in Stainless Steel Pan?
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.
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