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.

Watch the Video

Chicken Breasts Recipe Video

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:

(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 this recipe for baked chicken breasts, if you are interested.

Chicken breasts cooked on the stove

How 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 Breast

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

Sliced chicken breasts with pan juices

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
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24 comments… Leave a Comment
  • Marie September 12, 2023, 3:57 pm

    I haven’t cooked for my very anal husband since we were dating. 17 years ago!!! The first time I cooked for him I made lobster tails. Unfortunately!I put them wrong side up in the oven and had the fire dept over. So he believed everything I cooked would turn out that way. Well, about a year ago I cooked for him since he now is more relaxed and I used this recipe and it turned out AMAZING!!! He asks for it all the time now. Does anyone have a comment on how this would pair with roasted brussel sprouts. I’ve been dying to make them but haven’t had a chance yet. Im not sure if the 2 flavors would be too similar in regards to the spices? I would make a potatoes. We have to have some sort of potatoe with anything we eat. He’s Irish and really loves his potatoes. Looking forward to trying more of your recipes. I love the way you tell us WHT we’re doing something in all your recipes. Ex:) Like why we shouldn’t press on 5he chicken breast to make them cook faster. Thanks for sending all your delicious recipes our way!!

    Reply
    • Joanne September 21, 2023, 8:22 pm

      Hi Marie, We are thrilled you love the recipe. Brussels sprouts would be lovely with this chicken.

      Reply
  • Shana Boyd August 21, 2023, 7:20 pm

    This is now my go to recipe for chicken . The breast’s turn out so tender and seasoning is perfect AND so quick and easy. This has become my families favorite chicken . Thank you for sharing

    Reply
  • Rose July 19, 2023, 7:00 pm

    My boyfriend just stood up and got himself some buttered bread to soak up the left over drippings! He is not a huge guy and a moderate eater. I am so complimented! So easy and delicious. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Adam July 21, 2023, 3:36 pm

      Those drippings are delicious. We also serve it with bread to soak it all up. So happy that you and your boyfriend love the recipe 🙂

      Reply

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