Sautéed Chicken Medallions with Garlic and Thyme Sauce

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken medallions pan-seared and finished in a fragrant garlic and fresh thyme butter sauce. This french-inspired chicken ready in about 25 minutes pairs chicken breasts, olive oil, unsalted butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 French cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 2 chicken breasts sliced into 1-inch medallions and season evenly with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, then add the chicken medallions in a single layer. Sear for 3 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through, then transfer to a plate.
  3. Step 3: Reduce heat to medium, add 3 tbsp unsalted butter and 4 minced garlic cloves to the skillet, sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and garlic is lightly golden.
  4. Step 4: Add 3 sprigs of fresh thyme and 1 tbsp lemon juice to the pan, stirring to combine and cook the sauce for 1 more minute until slightly thickened.
  5. Step 5: Return the chicken medallions to the skillet, spoon the garlic-thyme butter sauce over them, and cook for an additional 1 minute to reheat and coat evenly before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Chicken Medallions with Garlic and Thyme 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 Medallions with Garlic and Thyme 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 chicken breasts from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Chicken Medallions with Garlic and Thyme 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 Medallions with Garlic and Thyme Sauce 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 Sautéed Chicken Medallions with Garlic and Thyme Sauce?

French 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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