The Best Juicy Skillet Chicken Breasts

Perfectly juicy, tender chicken breasts are possible when you follow our simple recipe. With a few tricks, you can make the best juicy chicken at home! Our method works for all cuts of chicken, but it is especially helpful for chicken breasts. Jump to the Juicy Chicken Breasts Recipe

Sliced chicken breasts with pan juices

How to Cook Chicken Breasts

Say goodbye to flavorless, dry chicken breasts and hello to mouthwatering, succulent juicy chicken. It’s easy to do at home. Here’s what we consider to be the best way to cook chicken breasts:

Chicken breasts cooked on the stove

(Optional) Pound the chicken breasts into one thickness — I’m sure you’ve noticed that chicken breasts are thicker on one end compared to the other. By using a mallet or rolling pin to pound the thicker end to a more similar thickness as the thinner end, you make sure that the chicken cooks evenly. We use this trick when grilling chicken, too. We don’t always do this step, but when cooking chicken breasts that are especially thick, it’s a good idea.

Season well — You don’t need to the marinate chicken (not that it isn’t a nice idea). What you do need to do is season it really well. Our simple spice rub and a generous sprinkle of salt on both sides of each breast is all you need for super flavorful chicken. If you did want to marinate, check our our no-fail chicken marinade recipe.

Seasoning the chicken breasts

Use the skillet’s lid — We use this trick a lot when cooking meat (see our juicy skillet pork chops). First, we sear one side of the chicken until browned then we flip them, turn down the heat to low and cover the skillet with a lid. The second side will slowly turn golden brown, and since we added the lid, the heat from the pan will gently cook the middle. By gently cooking the chicken this way, they remain juicy and become tender.

Cooking chicken breasts in a skillet

Let the chicken rest — There’s some contention as to why it’s a good idea to let meat rest after cooking, but here’s the deal, before cutting the chicken, give it a few minutes. In this time, it will finish cooking and all the juices inside will either distribute or fall out onto your plate. If there are juices on your plate, save them! They make the best sauce.

Our method works for all cuts of chicken, but is especially helpful for grilled chicken breasts. We also have a recipe for baked chicken breasts, if you are interested.

How to tell when chicken is done?

Here are a two easy ways to tell when chicken is done:

  1. Use an internal thermometer. This is our preferred method since it’s no-fail! Chicken is cooked when an internal thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat reads 165 degrees Fahrenheit. So in the case of this recipe, you can either, cook the chicken in the skillet until 165° F or if you are worried that carry over cooking will cause the chicken to overcook, you can remove the chicken from the skillet when the thermometer reads 160° F, and then cover it loosely with foil and wait a few minutes. In this time, the chicken should finish cooking.
  2. Check that the juices run clear. When you pierce a knife into cooked chicken, if it is cooked, the juices that run out will be clear. We still prefer the thermometer method, but this is a nice visual check.

What to serve with chicken breasts

We hope you give these juicy chicken breasts a try soon. If you do, try one of these side dishes to go alongside.

More chicken recipes: Try our Juicy Grilled Chicken, this Roasted Whole Chicken or our Lemony Chicken with Cucumber and Feta Salad.

The Best Juicy Skillet Chicken Breasts

  • PREP
  • COOK
  • TOTAL

Perfectly juicy, tender chicken breasts are possible when you follow our simple recipe. With a few tricks, you can make the best juicy chicken at home! This method works for all cuts of chicken, but it is especially helpful for chicken breasts.

Makes 4 (6-ounce) servings

Watch Us Make the Recipe

You Will Need

1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts; 2 large breasts or 3 medium

Salt, to taste

1 teaspoon chili powder, see our homemade chili powder recipe

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 tablespoon avocado oil or other high heat cooking oil

Half of a lemon, quartered, optional

Directions

    1Take the chicken out of the refrigerator and season on both sides with salt — we use just less than 1/4 teaspoon of fine salt per chicken breast.

    2Make the spice rub by combining the chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika and black pepper. Liberally dust the spice rub all over the chicken.

    3Heat a tablespoon of oil in a medium frying pan (with lid) over medium-high heat. As soon as the oil is hot and looks shimmery, add the chicken. Cook 2 to 3 minutes until golden. Flip, reduce the heat to low, and then splash a few tablespoons of water (or broth) into the skillet. Cover the skillet with a lid.

    4Cook 10 to 15 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer reads 165 degrees F when inserted into the thickest part of the breast.

    5Transfer the chicken to a plate and cover loosely with aluminum foil. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes, cut into thick slices, and then serve with pan drippings and lemon wedges.

Adam and Joanne's Tips

  • Nutrition Facts: The nutrition facts provided below are estimates. We have used the USDA database to calculate approximate values.

If you make this recipe, snap a photo and hashtag it #inspiredtaste — We love to see your creations on Instagram and Facebook! Find us: @inspiredtaste

Nutrition Per Serving Serving Size 1/4 of the recipe (about 6 ounces) / Calories 208 / Total Fat 4.6g / Saturated Fat 1g / Cholesterol 124.1mg / Sodium 387mg / Carbohydrate 0.9g / Dietary Fiber 0.3g / Total Sugars 0.1g / Protein 38.5g
AUTHOR:  Adam and Joanne Gallagher
Inspired Taste Newsletter Signup

Take a look around where we create recipes and videos!

Tour Inspired Taste's Kitchen
16 comments… Leave a Comment
  • Shaniah January 26, 2023, 8:46 pm

    My Husband and I tried this recipe. OMG. He started marinating the chicken at 7am with Stubb’s citrus and onion chicken marinade. By 5:30pm we pulled it out and followed the recipe TO THE T. It was HANDS DOWN the best piece of chicken either of us had ever had the pleasure of eating so juicy and tender, with flavor bursting. USE THE LEMON. AND ALSO USE THE LID THE WHOLE TIME.

    Reply
    • Joanne January 27, 2023, 1:19 pm

      Hi Shaniah, We are thrilled that everything turned out so well for you! Thanks for coming back and sharing.

      Reply
  • Kira Keeney November 2, 2022, 12:42 am

    Excellent! Tender, delicious, and easy! I tossed the slices back in the pan sauce before serving as one commenter suggested–five stars!

    Reply
  • Shekini September 17, 2022, 8:25 pm

    I made these chicken breasts, sliced them up, and served them on top of homemade fettucine alfredo. After slicing, I definitely recommend returning them to the juices in the skillet for an extra toss before serving for that extra juiciness and flavor. Yummy!

    Reply
  • Mel July 13, 2022, 2:13 pm

    This is my first time commenting on a recipe post… please use this recipe… water in the pan??? GAME CHANGER omggg… made the chicken so perfect?? My boyfriend was bragging about me at work because of it. Thank you!!!

    Reply
  • Dianne July 9, 2022, 9:52 pm

    Delicious! My fiancé and I loved it! I added a dash of Worcester sauce to the pan with the olive oil that the chicken cooked in. Will definitely make again!

    Reply
  • Doris Ashburn July 5, 2022, 6:56 pm

    Flavorful, moist and delicious! 5 stars!

    Reply
  • Deb June 6, 2022, 9:00 pm

    I tried this recipe a few days ago with a couple chicken breasts and LOVED it! Super easy, and the chicken was so flavorful, tender and juicy. I’m making it again tonight, as I plan on putting some in the fridge to have in my salads during the week. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  • Tim March 1, 2022, 9:51 am

    This was a great recipe

    Reply
  • Jessica Winters January 28, 2022, 12:59 pm

    I am looking forward to trying this recipe. It looks wonderful. Thank you!

    Reply
  • Alan January 21, 2022, 3:57 pm

    So easy and delicious. Also love the side dish ideas.

    Reply
  • Patty July 6, 2021, 6:20 pm

    Delicious tender juicy easy to make..will definitely make it again

    Reply
  • Patty July 6, 2021, 6:18 pm

    It was delicious. Juicy tender, didnt even need a knife.. Will make this again that is for sure…

    Reply
  • Cassie Johnson June 28, 2021, 9:35 pm

    I can’t wait to see the recipes

    Reply
  • Christeen June 27, 2021, 9:55 pm

    What a delicious and quick way to cook chicken breast it was so tasty and the juices made the best Gravy

    Reply
    • Vivian November 11, 2022, 8:37 pm

      Yes, a game changer. Juicy and delicious. I had mine with asparagus and enjoyed sticking to my diet! I will make this all the time! I’ll save the rest for salads.

      Reply

Leave a Comment

All comments are moderated before appearing on the site. Thank you so much for waiting. First time commenting? Please review our Comment Guidelines. You must be at least 16 years old to post a comment. All comments are governed by our Privacy Policy & Terms.

* Required fields (Email address will not be published)

Did you make it? How was it?:

 

Previous Post: Next Post: