The Juiciest Stove Top Chicken Breasts - An Easy Chicken Recipe! (2024)

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Katerina

4.66 from 183 votes

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One of my favorite chicken breast recipes & the easiest way to make juicy chicken right on the stove top. These pan-seared chicken breasts are cooked on the stove and bursting with flavor!

The Juiciest Stove Top Chicken Breasts - An Easy Chicken Recipe! (2)

Juicy Stove Top Chicken Breasts

My all time favorite stovetop chicken breast recipe is here!

Thanks to a simple method, the chicken breasts are never dry, always tender, and super tasty. After this recipe, you’ll see that chicken couldn’t be any easier to prepare for a quick and easy dinner idea.

I have talked about Oven Baked Chicken Breasts and Easy Baked Chicken Breasts, but we have yet to discuss a stove top method. Except for that one time when we covered the method forJuicy Stove Top Chicken Thighs. 😎

The Juiciest Stove Top Chicken Breasts - An Easy Chicken Recipe! (3)

I think it’s safe to say that skinless, boneless chicken breasts are the most popular cut of poultry. Am I right? I think? They’re the most searched for ingredient on my website, that’s for sure, and that’s because people always want a new way to cook chicken.

Thus, picture this: juicy, awesomely seasonedchicken breasts, pan seared in vegetable oil, and finished off with a tablespoon of butter. That’s it. That is all we’re doing.

The Juiciest Stove Top Chicken Breasts - An Easy Chicken Recipe! (4)

How to Cook Chicken Breasts on the Stove

  • Start with a simple seasoning on both sides of the chicken breasts. Grease the chicken breasts with cooking spray or oil, then season with salt, freshly ground black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika and dried basil. This dry mix of herbs and spices adds a wonderful zing and flavor to the chicken breasts.
  • In the meantime, heat up vegetable oil or canola oil in a large skillet.
  • When oil is hot, add chicken breasts to the pan. Cook two chicken breasts at a time because you don’t want to overcrowd your skillet.
  • Cook chicken breasts for 5 to 7 minutes without moving them around.
  • Flip the chicken breasts over. Add a tablespoon of butter to the skillet, and continue to cook for 7 more minutes to a golden brown, or until a meat thermometer registers the internal temperature of the chicken breast at 165˚F. Cooking time will always depend on the thickness of the chicken breasts.
  • Rest. When finished, transfer chicken breasts to a cutting board. Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice and serve.

The Juiciest Stove Top Chicken Breasts - An Easy Chicken Recipe! (5)

Tips for Success

  • Chicken breasts should not be thicker than 1-inch, max. If your chicken breasts are thick,use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound the chicken to a smaller and even thickness BEFORE cooking.
  • Why are we using vegetable oil and not our beloved olive oil, you ask? BECAUSE, vegetable-based oils have higher smoke points than olive oil. This includes avocado oil, too. Therefore, when frying, or pan searing, you need an oil that can withstand the heat.
  • Cook the chicken breasts over medium-high heat.
  • DO NOT stir or move the chicken breasts around while cooking. Let cook for 5 minutes or until you can easily flip them over. If there’s any resistance when trying to flip them, give it another minute before trying again.
  • Chicken breasts are cooked through when internal temperature reaches 165F.

How to Store Extras

  • In the fridge: Store completely cooled chicken breasts in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to 4 days. Cooked chicken breast is ideal for meal prep, allowing you to easily add it to salads, grain bowls, and soups throughout the week.
  • To freeze cooked chicken: Wrap completely cooled chicken breasts with plastic wrap and add a layer of aluminum foil over the plastic wrap. Place the wrapped chicken breasts in a freezer bag; seal the bag and place in the freezer. Keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.

The Juiciest Stove Top Chicken Breasts - An Easy Chicken Recipe! (6)

Serving Suggestions

  • Instant Pot Creamy Brussel Sprouts
  • Honey Garlic Butter Roasted Carrots
  • Grilled Asparagus
  • Radish and Cucumber Salad with Garlic Yogurt Dressing

More Chicken Recipes to Try

  • Creamy Garlic Sauce Chicken
  • Cheesy Asparagus Stuffed Chicken
  • Creamy Tuscan Chicken
  • 12 Easy Chicken Dinner Ideas Your Family Will Love

ENJOY!

The Juiciest Stove Top Chicken Breasts - An Easy Chicken Recipe! (7)

Juicy Stove Top Chicken Breasts Recipe

Katerina | Diethood

Tried and true method for preparing the most tender and juicy chicken breasts right on the stove top.

4.66 from 183 votes

Servings : 4 serves

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Resting Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil or canola oil, divided
  • 4 (1 pound total) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • cooking spray
  • salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked or sweet paprika
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided

Instructions

  • Heat 1-1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet; use a 10-inch or 12-inch skillet.

  • Pat dry the chicken breasts with paper towels.

  • Drizzle just a bit of oil over each chicken breast, or spray with cooking oil, and rub it all over.

  • In a small mixing bowl combine salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, basil, and paprika.

  • Season both sides of each chicken breast with the prepared seasoning; rub it all around.

  • Add 2 chicken breasts to the hot skillet.

  • Cook chicken breasts for 5 to 7 minutes without moving them around.

  • Flip both chicken breasts over, add 1 tablespoon of butter to the skillet; swirl butter around and continue to cook the chicken for 7 more minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165F. Cooking time will always depend on the thickness of the chicken breasts.

  • Remove chicken breasts from skillet; set aside and keep covered.

  • Repeat the same method with the remaining 2 chicken breasts.

  • When finished, transfer chicken to a cutting board; let rest for 5 minutes, then slice and serve.

Video

Notes

RECIPE NOTES

  • Chicken breasts should not be thicker than 1-inch, max. If your chicken breasts are thick, use a meat mallet to pound the chicken to a smaller and even thickness BEFORE cooking.
  • If there's a chicken seasoning blend that you absolutely adore, go ahead and use that in place of the one I have given here.
  • Why are we using vegetable oil and not olive oil? Because, vegetable-based oils have higher smoke points than olive oil. When frying, or pan searing, you need an oil that can withstand the heat.
  • Cook the chicken breasts over medium-high heat. DO NOT stir or move the chicken breasts around while cooking. Let cook for 5 minutes or until you can easily flip them over. If there’s any resistance when trying to flip them, give it another minute before trying again.

HOW TO STORE COOKED CHICKEN BREASTS

  • Store completely cooled chicken breasts in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 4 ounces | Calories: 273 kcal | Carbohydrates: 0 g | Protein: 24 g | Fat: 19 g | Saturated Fat: 12 g | Cholesterol: 87 mg | Sodium: 182 mg | Potassium: 419 mg | Fiber: 0 g | Sugar: 0 g | Vitamin A: 330 IU | Vitamin C: 1.3 mg | Calcium: 8 mg | Iron: 0.6 mg

Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Keyword: chicken breast recipes

Did you make this recipe?Leave a Rating!

Categories:

  • Chicken Recipes
  • Dinner Recipes
  • Freezer Friendly Meals
  • Lunch
  • One Pot Meals
  • Quick Dinner Ideas
The Juiciest Stove Top Chicken Breasts - An Easy Chicken Recipe! (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to juicy chicken breast? ›

Consider brining your chicken breasts before baking. Soak them in a solution of salt and water for about 30 minutes to an hour. This helps the chicken retain moisture during the baking process, resulting in juicier and more tender meat.

What's the best way to cook chicken breast so it doesn't dry out? ›

Her suggestion: Place boneless, skinless chicken breasts in a pan in a single layer, cover with a few inches of liquid (water, broth, etc.), add flavorings (spices, salt, herbs, soy sauce, etc.), then bring the liquid just barely to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat so the liquid simmers.

Should I cover the pan when cooking chicken breast? ›

By pan-frying your chicken, you let it get nice and brown on both sides. And, by using a lid, you create a steamy environment that traps in moisture, leaving you with juicy chicken breasts instead of dried out, stringy meat.

How long should chicken cook on the stove? ›

Cook until browned on the bottom, 5 to 7 minutes. If you try to turn the chicken and it feels stuck, it isn't golden and crispy or ready to flip. Flip the chicken and cook until it reaches 165°F, 5 to 7 minutes more.

What can I add to chicken breast to make it taste better? ›

Add a touch of spice to your chicken breast by combining paprika, cinnamon, turmeric, cumin, ginger, garlic and olive oil to create a paste. Then cover your chicken breast with the paste and pat down to secure.

How to make your chicken juicy? ›

Getting a good sear through medium high heat, then reducing the heat to LOW and COVERING the chicken while it cooks. The butter, oil, and chicken juices create a super flavorful liquid that acts as a way to steam the chicken at a low temperature, ensuring that it is moist & tender on the inside.

Does chicken breast get more tender the longer you cook it? ›

Most whole chickens become fully tender in about one hour on medium-low heat. Yes, chicken breast will get softer the longer you cook it, as long as it is cooked at a low enough temperature to prevent it from becoming dry and tough.

How long does it take to cook a chicken breast in a pan? ›

Pan-fried chicken breast recipe

2. Heat the oil in a frying pan then add the chicken breasts (skin-side down, if they have skin) and cook for 2-3 minutes or until browned. Then turn over, cover and cook on the other side for 7-8 minutes or until cooked through.

How do you not overcook chicken breast in a pan? ›

Cooking in a Cold Pan

Instead of searing or sauteing, you're effectively steaming it. Your chicken breast will come out pale, white, and overcooked rather than with a flavorful brown crisp exterior. The easy solution is to let your pan (or grill) get hot before you add the chicken.

How do you know when to flip chicken in the pan? ›

Season the chicken and add it to the pan. Let the meat sear for several minutes on one side before flipping. A chicken cutlet is ready to flip when it releases easily from the pan and has a nice, golden-brown sear. It's finished when the thickest portion of the cut registers 165°F on an instant-read thermometer.

Is it better to cook chicken in the oven or on the stove? ›

What Is The Best Way To Cook A Chicken Breast? Cooking a boneless and skinless chicken breast in a hot cast iron pan is by far the easiest and most tasty way to cook the breast. You are far less likely to overcook the chicken breast compared to baking it in the oven or poaching it in water.

Is it healthier to cook chicken in the oven or on the stove? ›

Baked chicken is also a healthy method of preparation because you can choose to forego any oils before you bake it. Many people remove the skin of chicken breasts before baking, making it a low-fat and high-protein choice for meals.

Do you flip chicken when cooking on stove? ›

How can I tell when to flip the chicken over? If you look at the side of the chicken breast, you'll be able to see the chicken cooking. Once the white, cooked chicken goes halfway up the side of the chicken breast, it is ready to turn.

What is a good chicken breast tenderizer? ›

The OXO Die Cast was better at pounding out chicken without bruising or tearing the flesh than any other mallet tenderizer we tested. This is likely due to the rounded edges on the flat side of the mallet, which prevented it from leaving divots or impressions.

Does baking soda keep chicken moist? ›

Briefly soaking meat in a solution of baking soda and water raises the pH on the meat's surface, making it more difficult for the proteins to bond excessively, which keeps the meat tender and moist when it's cooked.

Should I cover chicken breast with foil when baking? ›

When chicken is covered while baking, it traps steam and moisture within the dish, resulting in juicier results. The covering helps prevent excessive evaporation and keeps the chicken moist throughout the cooking process. Preventing dryness. Chicken tends to dry out more quickly when exposed to direct heat.

What makes chicken breast dry? ›

You're Overcooking Them

This is likely the most common mistake cooks make when it comes to chicken breasts. Of course, nobody wants a medium-rare chicken breast, but sometimes in an effort to fully cook our chicken breasts, we unintentionally overcook them. The result? An unpleasantly dry, chalky texture.

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