Sautéed Chicken with Garlic and Lemon Herb Sauce

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

Tender chicken breasts seared and finished with a bright garlic and lemon herb sauce for a light, flavorful meal. This Mediterranean-inspired New Year's recipe (gluten free, high protein), ready in about 25 minutes, pairs boneless skinless 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 350 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. 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 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb) and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, then add chicken breasts and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F.
  3. Step 3: Remove chicken from skillet and tent with foil to rest. Lower heat to medium, add 1 tbsp unsalted butter and 4 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, letting the sauce simmer for 1-2 minutes until slightly reduced and fragrant.
  5. Step 5: Return chicken to skillet and spoon the garlic lemon herb sauce over the top, cooking for an additional minute to coat and warm through before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Chicken with Garlic and Lemon 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 Lemon 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 olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Chicken with Garlic and Lemon 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 Lemon 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.

Is Sautéed Chicken with Garlic and Lemon Herb Sauce gluten free?

Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten free, high protein based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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