Sautéed Chicken with Thyme and Garlic in White Wine Sauce

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

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Sautéed with fresh thyme and garlic, simmered in a fragrant white wine sauce. This French-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs boneless skinless chicken breasts, olive oil, fresh thyme sprigs 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

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 2 pieces of 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. Add the chicken breasts and sauté for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Reduce heat to medium and add 4 minced garlic cloves and 3 fresh thyme sprigs to the same skillet. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 1/2 cup dry white wine and 1/2 cup chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the pan with a wooden spoon. Simmer for 4-5 minutes until the sauce reduces slightly.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 2 tbsp unsalted butter until melted and the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
  6. Step 6: Return chicken to the skillet and spoon sauce over each piece. Cook for an additional 2 minutes to heat through. Serve hot.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Chicken with Thyme and Garlic in White Wine Sauce 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 Thyme and Garlic in White Wine 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 Thyme and Garlic in White Wine 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 Thyme and Garlic in White Wine 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 Thyme and Garlic in White Wine Sauce?

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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