Sautéed Garlic Butter Chicken with Herb-Infused Pan Sauce

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

Tender chicken breasts sautéed in garlic butter, finished with a fragrant herb pan sauce that enhances every bite. This international-inspired chicken ready in about 30 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken breasts, unsalted butter, 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.

★ 4.4 (11 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 2 International cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until butter melts and foams, about 2 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Add the chicken breasts to the skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove chicken and set aside.
  4. Step 4: Reduce heat to medium, add remaining 2 tbsp unsalted butter and 4 minced garlic cloves to the skillet; sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 1/2 cup chicken broth, 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, 1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary, and 2 tsp lemon juice; simmer for 3-4 minutes until the sauce reduces slightly and thickens to coat the back of a spoon.
  6. Step 6: Return chicken to the pan, spoon the herb garlic butter sauce over the top, and cook for 1 additional minute to reheat and meld flavors.
  7. Step 7: Serve chicken with the pan sauce drizzled over.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Garlic Butter Chicken with Herb-Infused Pan 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 Garlic Butter Chicken with Herb-Infused Pan 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 unsalted butter from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Garlic Butter Chicken with Herb-Infused Pan 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 Garlic Butter Chicken with Herb-Infused Pan 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 Garlic Butter Chicken with Herb-Infused Pan Sauce?

International 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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