Sautéed Chicken with Garlic and Herb Sauce

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

Tender chicken breasts cooked in a fragrant garlic and fresh herb sauce, perfect for a quick and flavorful dinner. This Mediterranean-inspired no-cook recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs chicken breasts, olive oil, garlic cloves 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 2 Mediterranean cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 2 chicken breasts (about 6 oz each) and season them evenly with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper on both sides.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through, with an internal temperature of 165°F.
  3. Step 3: Remove the chicken and set aside. Lower the heat to medium, add 4 minced garlic cloves to the skillet, and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, and 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme, cooking for another 1 minute until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the pan.
  5. Step 5: Return the chicken to the skillet, spoon the garlic herb sauce over it, and cook for 1 additional minute to meld flavors before serving.

Frequently asked questions

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

Mediterranean no cook 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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