Sautéed Garlic Butter Chicken with Rosemary and Thyme
Tender chicken breasts pan-seared in garlic butter infused with fresh rosemary and thyme for an aromatic, flavorful dinner. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 25 minutes pairs (6 oz each) 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 320 calories and feeds 4, 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.
Ingredients
- 4 pieces (6 oz each) chicken breasts
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 5 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 4 chicken breasts (6 oz each) and season evenly with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper on both sides.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, then add chicken breasts. Sear for 4 minutes without moving until golden brown on one side.
- Step 3: Flip chicken and add 4 tbsp unsalted butter, 5 minced garlic cloves, 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, and 2 sprigs fresh thyme to the skillet. Tilt the pan and spoon the melted butter and herbs over the chicken continuously for 4-5 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and garlic is fragrant but not burnt.
- Step 4: Remove chicken from skillet and let rest for 5 minutes covered loosely with foil before serving to allow juices to redistribute.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Garlic Butter Chicken with Rosemary and Thyme 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 Garlic Butter Chicken with Rosemary and Thyme?
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 (6 oz each) chicken breasts from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Garlic Butter Chicken with Rosemary and Thyme?
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 Rosemary and Thyme for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Rosemary and Thyme?
American 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.