Seared Lemon-Thyme Chicken with Roasted Garlic Potatoes

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

Pan-seared with fresh lemon and thyme served alongside golden roasted garlic potatoes. This mediterranean-inspired chicken ready in about 50 minutes pairs lemon juice, fresh thyme leaves, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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: 15 min Cook: 35 min Serves 2 Mediterranean cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. Cut 1 lb baby potatoes into halves and toss with 2 tbsp olive oil, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 25-30 minutes until golden and crispy.
  2. Step 2: While potatoes roast, pat dry 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts and season both sides with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Mix 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, and 1 tbsp olive oil in a small bowl.
  3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken breasts and sear for 5 minutes until golden, flip and cook 4 more minutes until cooked through (internal temp 165°F).
  4. Step 4: Reduce heat to low, add 1 tbsp butter and 2 minced garlic cloves to the pan, spoon the lemon-thyme mixture over the chicken, and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant and glossy.
  5. Step 5: Serve the chicken sliced with the roasted garlic potatoes on the side, spooning any pan sauce over top.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Seared Lemon-Thyme Chicken with Roasted Garlic Potatoes take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 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 Seared Lemon-Thyme Chicken with Roasted Garlic Potatoes?

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 lemon juice from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Seared Lemon-Thyme Chicken with Roasted Garlic Potatoes?

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 Seared Lemon-Thyme Chicken with Roasted Garlic Potatoes 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 Seared Lemon-Thyme Chicken with Roasted Garlic Potatoes?

Mediterranean 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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