Sear-Grilled Chicken with Thyme Butter

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy chicken breasts seared on the grill and finished with a fragrant thyme butter, served with simple roasted vegetables. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 30 minutes pairs olive oil, (chopped) fresh thyme, unsalted butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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.

★ 4.4 (8 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 American cuisine 400 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Rub 4 chicken breasts with 2 tbsp olive oil and season generously with salt and black pepper on both sides.
  2. Step 2: Place chicken on hot grill and sear for 5 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  3. Step 3: Toss 2 cups mixed vegetables with 1 tbsp olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Roast on a sheet pan at 400°F for 15 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Melt 2 tbsp butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add 1 tbsp chopped thyme and 1/2 lemon juice, stirring for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Step 5: Slice chicken, drizzle with thyme butter, and serve with roasted vegetables.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sear-Grilled Chicken with Thyme 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 Sear-Grilled Chicken with Thyme 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 olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sear-Grilled Chicken with Thyme 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 Sear-Grilled Chicken with Thyme Butter 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 Sear-Grilled Chicken with Thyme Butter?

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.

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