Sautéed Chicken with Garlic and Herb Butter Sauce

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

Tender chicken breasts pan-seared to golden perfection and finished with a rich garlic herb butter sauce. This American-inspired Mardi Gras recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs boneless skinless chicken breasts, salt, black pepper 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 2 American cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (6 oz each) and season both sides 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 breasts and cook for 5-6 minutes per side, turning once, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F).
  3. Step 3: Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside; reduce heat to medium, add 3 tbsp unsalted butter and 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet, sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves and 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, then add 1 tbsp lemon juice, scraping up any browned bits to create a buttery sauce.
  5. Step 5: Return chicken to the skillet and spoon the herb butter sauce over top for 1-2 minutes to coat and warm through before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Chicken 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 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 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 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 with Garlic and Herb Butter Sauce?

American mardi gras 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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