Sautéed Chicken with Honey-Balsamic Glaze and Roasted Garlic

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

Pan-seared and finished with a sweet and tangy honey-balsamic glaze, paired with fragrant roasted garlic. This mediterranean-inspired chicken ready in about 45 minutes pairs olive oil, 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: 35 min Serves 2 Mediterranean cuisine 350 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Wrap 6 whole garlic cloves in foil and roast for 25 minutes until soft and fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Meanwhile, pat dry 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts and season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper on both sides.
  3. Step 3: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken breasts and sear for 5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.
  4. Step 4: Remove chicken to a plate and add 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar and 2 tbsp honey to the skillet. Stir and cook for 3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
  5. Step 5: Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves out of their skins and stir into the glaze along with 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves. Return chicken to the pan and spoon glaze over it for 1 minute.
  6. Step 6: Serve the chicken topped with the honey-balsamic garlic glaze.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Chicken with Honey-Balsamic Glaze and Roasted Garlic take to make?

Total time is about 45 minutes (10 min prep + 35 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 Honey-Balsamic Glaze and Roasted Garlic?

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 Honey-Balsamic Glaze and Roasted Garlic?

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 Honey-Balsamic Glaze and Roasted Garlic 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 Honey-Balsamic Glaze and Roasted Garlic?

Mediterranean 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.

Related recipes