Twice-Baked Chicken with Herb-Infused Garlic Butter

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken breasts stuffed with creamy garlic butter and fresh herbs, then baked to golden perfection. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 40 minutes pairs unsalted butter, finely chopped fresh parsley, finely chopped fresh thyme 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: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 American cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Using a sharp knife, cut a horizontal pocket into each of the 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, being careful not to cut all the way through.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, mix 4 tbsp unsalted butter, 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley, 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh thyme, and 1 tsp lemon zest until well combined.
  3. Step 3: Generously season the chicken breasts inside and out with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stuff each breast pocket with the garlic herb butter mixture.
  4. Step 4: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the stuffed chicken breasts for 3 minutes per side until golden brown.
  5. Step 5: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15-18 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the butter has melted inside, basting the chicken with pan juices once halfway through.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Twice-Baked Chicken with Herb-Infused Garlic Butter take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 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 Twice-Baked Chicken with Herb-Infused 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 unsalted butter from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Twice-Baked Chicken with Herb-Infused 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 Twice-Baked Chicken with Herb-Infused 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 Twice-Baked Chicken with Herb-Infused 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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