Print

Light Herb Butter Roasted Turkey Breast for Two: Easy Perfect Dinner

light herb butter roasted turkey breast for two - featured image
Print Recipe

A perfectly portioned, juicy turkey breast with a crispy, herby skin, made with a simple herb butter and roasted to perfection. Ideal for a cozy dinner for two without the massive leftovers.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 boneless, skin-on turkey breast (about 1.5 to 2 pounds)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 teaspoon fresh sage, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small lemon, zested and juiced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ cup chicken or turkey broth
  • Optional: a few sprigs of fresh thyme or rosemary, and a quartered onion or garlic cloves for the pan

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Take the turkey breast out of the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes.
  2. In a small mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, chopped parsley, rosemary, thyme, sage, minced garlic, lemon zest, ½ teaspoon of kosher salt, and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper. Mix until well combined.
  3. Pat the turkey breast completely dry with paper towels.
  4. Season the turkey breast all over with the remaining ½ teaspoon of kosher salt and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper. Gently loosen the skin from the meat to create a pocket. Spoon about two-thirds of the herb butter under the skin, spreading it evenly. Rub the remaining butter all over the outside of the skin.
  5. Place the turkey breast skin-side up in a small baking dish or oven-safe skillet. Pour the chicken broth into the bottom of the pan. Add optional onion wedges or herb sprigs to the broth.
  6. Roast for 40-50 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the breast reaches 155°F (68°C). If the skin is browning too quickly, tent loosely with aluminum foil for the last 15 minutes.
  7. Remove the turkey from the oven and transfer to a cutting board. Let it rest, loosely tented with foil, for at least 10-15 minutes. The temperature will rise to 165°F (74°C) during this time.
  8. Optional: While the turkey rests, place the baking dish with pan juices over medium heat. Whisk in a splash of white wine or more broth, scraping up browned bits. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly reduced. Season with salt and pepper.
  9. Slice the turkey breast against the grain into thick slices. Drizzle with pan sauce and serve immediately.

Notes

Let the butter soften to room temperature for easy spreading. Use a meat thermometer for perfect doneness—pull at 155°F and rest to 165°F. Fresh herbs are key for the best flavor. If using dried herbs, use one-third the amount.

Nutrition

Keywords: turkey breast, herb butter, roasted turkey, dinner for two, easy turkey recipe, light herb butter, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://crispcraving.com/light-herb-butter-roasted-turkey-breast-for-two-easy-perfect-dinner/