Skillet-Seared Chicken with Garlic Herb Butter

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-04 · Updated 2026-05-04

Tender chicken breasts pan-seared to a golden brown and finished with a rich garlic herb butter sauce. This American-inspired New Year's recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs boneless skinless chicken breasts, kosher salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.

Ingredients

• 2 pieces (about 6 oz each) boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
• 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
• 1 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

The instant-read thermometer we’d check this chicken with → Best Instant-Read Thermometers for 2026: Fast, Accurate Picks Under $100

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat dry 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts and season both sides evenly with 1 tsp kosher salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 1-2 minutes.
3. Step 3: Add the chicken breasts and sear without moving for 5 minutes until the underside is golden brown and releases easily from the pan.
4. Step 4: Flip the chicken and continue cooking for another 4 minutes until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 165°F.
5. Step 5: Reduce heat to medium-low and add 3 tbsp unsalted butter, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves to the skillet.
6. Step 6: Spoon the melted butter and garlic herb mixture over the chicken continuously for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and the butter begins to brown slightly.
7. Step 7: Remove skillet from heat, stir in 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice and 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, then spoon the sauce over the chicken before serving.