Sautéed Chicken Breast with Zesty Lemon and Thyme
Tender chicken breasts cooked over medium heat and brightened with fresh lemon juice and fragrant thyme for a balanced, savory meal. This Mediterranean-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs boneless skinless chicken breasts, olive oil, fresh thyme leaves 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 (6 oz each) boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 3 cloves minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
The instant-read thermometer we’d check this chicken with → Best Instant-Read Thermometers for 2026: Fast, Accurate Picks Under $100
Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →
Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (6 oz each) and season evenly with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper on both sides.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, sauté for 30 seconds until aromatic but not browned.
- Step 3: Place the chicken breasts in the skillet and cook for 6-7 minutes per side, flipping once, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Step 4: Remove the chicken and reduce heat to low. Pour in 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, stirring to deglaze the pan and loosen browned bits, cooking for 1 minute until tangy sauce forms.
- Step 5: Return the chicken to the skillet, spoon the lemon-thyme sauce over, and cook an additional minute to meld flavors before serving.







