Pan-Seared Chicken with Garlic Butter and Thyme
Ingredients
- 4 pieceschicken breast (boneless, skinless)
- ·salt
- ·black pepper
- 2 tablespoonolive oil
- 3 tablespoonbutter
- 4 clovesgarlic
- 1 sprigfresh thyme (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
Prep
No prep needed — jump straight to the method.
Method
- 01
Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and season generously on both sides with salt and pepper.
- 02
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 1 minute.
- 03
Add chicken and sear without moving for 6 minutes until golden brown on the bottom. Flip and sear the other side for another 5 minutes.
- 04
Reduce heat to medium. Add butter, garlic, and thyme to the pan around the chicken.
- 05
Continue cooking for 3–5 minutes, tilting the pan occasionally to baste the chicken with the melted butter and garlic, until the thickest part of the chicken reaches 165°F on an instant-read thermometer.
- 06
Remove from heat, taste, adjust salt and pepper, and serve warm with pan juices drizzled on top.
Serve alongside roasted vegetables, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the flavorful pan juices. Pairs well with a simple green salad.