There’s always time for romance, especially around Valentine’s Day! What better way to prove that than by making a delicious dinner in just 40 minutes or less? Making-Thyme-For-You Chicken infuses both savory, tender chicken and a creamy sauce with the peppery, clove-like flavor of fresh thyme. The brightness of lemon and fragrance from some garlic help enhance both the poultry flavor and the thyme’s natural aromatic taste; it’s a romance of flavors perfect for sharing with your loved one! Make time for Making-Thyme-For-You Chicken and prepare for a truly romantic meal!
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest, plus 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/3 cup onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, plus more, whole sprigs, to taste, for garnish
- 1/3 cup heavy cream, room temperature
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed, room temperature
- lemon slices, optional, to taste, for garnish
Directions
Step 1 –Pound the chicken breasts so they are roughly an even thickness.
Step 2 –Season both sides of the chicken breasts with the salt and the pepper.
Step 3 –In a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat, add the olive oil.
Step 4 –Add the chicken breasts and cook, turning them once halfway through, until golden-brown but not quite cooked through, about 7-8 minutes per side.
Step 5 –Transfer the chicken breasts to a plate and cover them with foil.
Step 6 –Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Step 7 –Transfer the skillet from the heat.
Step 8 –Add the broth, the lemon zest, the lemon juice, the onion, the garlic, and 2 1/2 teaspoons of the thyme to the skillet and stir to combine.
Step 9 –Return the skillet to medium-high heat and cook, while scraping the bottom of the pan to release the browned bits, until the mixture comes to a boil.
Step 10 –Let the sauce mixture boil until it is reduced to about 1/2 cup, about 10 minutes.
Step 11 –Add the heavy cream and the butter and stir to combine.
Step 12 –Simmer the sauce mixture, while stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 3-4 minutes.
Step 13 –Add the chicken breasts back to the skillet.
Step 14 –Bake the skillet until the chicken breasts reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, about 10 minutes.
Step 15 –Spoon the sauce over the chicken.
Step 16 –Serve garnished with the lemon slices and the extra thyme sprigs.
