Sear-Style Pan-Cooked Chicken with Lemon-Garlic Butter

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

Finished with a fragrant butter sauce that elevates simple pan-searing into a restaurant-quality dinner. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 22 minutes pairs olive oil, 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 12 min Serves 4 American cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Season 4 boneless chicken breasts (6 oz each) with 1/2 tsp sea salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  2. Step 2: Add chicken breasts and sear undisturbed for 5-6 minutes until golden brown, then flip. Reduce heat to medium and cook another 5-7 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  3. Step 3: Remove chicken and let rest 5 minutes. Add 3 tbsp unsalted butter, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 2 tbsp lemon juice to the skillet, stirring until butter melts and garlic is fragrant (30 seconds). Stir in 2 tbsp chopped parsley and pour over rested chicken.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sear-Style Pan-Cooked Chicken with Lemon-Garlic Butter take to make?

Total time is about 22 minutes (10 min prep + 12 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-Style Pan-Cooked Chicken with Lemon-Garlic 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-Style Pan-Cooked Chicken with Lemon-Garlic 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-Style Pan-Cooked Chicken with Lemon-Garlic 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-Style Pan-Cooked Chicken with Lemon-Garlic 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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