Sautéed Chicken with Garlic and Shallots in Herb Butter

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

Tender chicken breasts pan-seared with fragrant garlic and shallots, finished with a rich herb butter sauce. This french-inspired chicken ready in about 30 minutes pairs (about 1 lb) chicken breasts, unsalted butter, minced 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 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: 20 min Serves 2 French cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 2 chicken breasts (about 1 lb) and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 6-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through, reaching 165°F internal temperature; transfer to a plate and keep warm.
  3. Step 3: Reduce heat to medium, add 3 tbsp unsalted butter to the skillet, then stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and 2 thinly sliced shallots. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and the shallots are translucent.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme and 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, cooking for 30 seconds until herbs release aroma. Return chicken to the skillet and spoon the herb butter sauce over the top for 1 minute to combine flavors before serving.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Chicken with Garlic and Shallots in Herb Butter take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 Shallots in Herb Butter?

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 (about 1 lb) chicken breasts from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Chicken with Garlic and Shallots in Herb Butter?

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 Shallots in Herb Butter 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 Shallots in Herb Butter?

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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