The last two times I bought chicken breast at the grocery store, the cashiers asked me how to cook them (I had to wonder if they secretly knew what I did for a living 😅). While it can seem like a simple process, it can definitely go wrong if not done properly. And I’m not about to let you waste big $$$ on dry, tasteless chicken breasts. So here is my full tutorial on how to cook chicken breast in a pan so that it stays juicy, flavorful, and tender.
Why I Love Pan Seared Chicken Breasts
This has become my go-to method for cooking chicken breasts. Not only is it super fast and easy, but you get a lot of delicious browning on the outside of the meat, which is something that doesn’t happen in the gentle heat of an oven. Plus, you can change the seasoning and make it taste like something new every time!
I’ve begun cooking a couple of chicken breasts at the beginning of each week, slicing them up, then storing them in the refrigerator to add to salads, pasta, sandwiches, and bowls over the next few days. It’s only a few minutes of prep and then I’ve got an easy protein ready to add to any meal. Here is a roundup of flexible recipes that are perfect for adding any protein, like pan-seared chicken breasts. You can also just add a couple of veggies on the side and make it a meal prep!
Cooking Boneless vs. Bone-in Chicken Breasts
The cooking technique below is for boneless chicken breasts (with or without skin). Bone-in chicken breasts take much longer to cook through, so you’ll want to utilize the oven to make sure the breast heats through completely without burning on the outside. For bone-in chicken breasts, I suggest using the method outlined in my Herb Roasted Chicken Breast recipe.
How Long to Cook Chicken Breasts in a Skillet
The amount of time needed to cook a chicken breast in a pan will vary depending on the thickness of the chicken breast, the amount of heat used, and the type of cookware used. To take the guesswork out of how long to cook the chicken breasts, I suggest using an instant-read meat thermometer to make sure the internal temperature of the chicken breast has reached 165ºF.
Thick Chicken Breasts
Thick chicken breasts take longer to cook through than thin chicken breasts, so I like to use lower heat (medium-low) and a longer cook time, which allows time for the meat to heat through without the outside burning. For a boneless chicken breast that is about one inch thick, I cook for about 8 minutes per side over medium-low heat.
Thin Chicken Breasts
If you buy thin cut breasts, fillet the chicken breasts yourself, or use a mallet to pound the chicken breasts to ½-inch thick, they will cook much faster. You’ll want to increase the heat to medium so you can still achieve some browning on the outside with a shorter cook time. For thinner breasts, I cook for about 4-5 minutes per side.
How to Season Chicken Breasts
I used a very classic smoky seasoning for the chicken breasts in the recipe below, but there are so many other delicious options. Here are some other ways you can season your pan-seared chicken breasts:
- Lemon Pepper Seasoning
- Cajun Seasoning
- Taco Seasoning
- Montreal Steak Seasoning
- Italian Seasoning
- Garlic Herb Seasoning
- Garam Masala
- Tajín
- Greek Seasoning
Pan Seared Chicken Breasts
Servings 4Ingredients
- 2 tsp steak seasoning ($0.20)
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika ($0.05)
- 1/2 tsp sweet paprika ($0.05)
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (1.3 lbs. total) ($6.79)
- 1 Tbsp cooking oil ($0.08)
- 1 Tbsp butter (optional) ($0.10)
Instructions
- Combine the steak seasoning, smoked paprika, and sweet paprika in a bowl. Coat the chicken breasts liberally with the seasoning on all sides.
- Add the cooking oil to a large skillet and heat over medium-low (or medium for thin-cut breasts). Once hot, swirl the oil to coat the skillet.
- Add the chicken breasts to the skillet and cook for about 8 minutes without flipping (5 minutes for thin-cut breasts). Flip the chicken and then cook on the second side until well browned and cooked through (internal temperature of 165ºF).
- For extra luscious chicken, add a tablespoon of butter to the skillet, allow it to melt, then flip the chicken a couple of times to coat in the melted butter.
- Transfer the chicken to a clean cutting board and allow it to rest for five minutes before slicing and serving.
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Nutrition
How to Make Cook Chicken Breasts in a Pan – Step by Step Photos
Begin by seasoning the chicken breast liberally on each side. I used a mix of 2 tsp steak seasoning, ½ tsp smoked paprika, and ½ tsp sweet paprika. The steak seasoning contains salt, so no extra salt was needed in my mix.
Add a tablespoon or so of your favorite cooking oil to a large skillet. Heat the skillet over medium-low (or medium heat for thin cut breasts).
Once hot, swirl the oil in the skillet to coat the surface, then add the chicken breasts. Let the chicken breasts cook for 8 minutes without flipping (or 5 minutes for thin cut breasts). Flip once and cook until well browned on the second side and cooked through.
To make the chicken breasts extra luscious, add a tablespoon of butter to the skillet, allow it to melt, then flip the chicken a couple of times to coat. The butter will help dissolve some of the flavor off the bottom of the skillet to further coat the chicken.
Transfer the cooked chicken to a clean cutting board and allow it to rest for five minutes before slicing and serving.
Simple, straightforward,easy to follow, specific ☆nice things
Thx Beth; I need plain chicken for dog. Do I cook it dry? Or which oil for dog. Thx from Dave port Charlotte,fl.
I believe coconut and canola oil are safe for dogs, but I normally poach chicken when feeding it to my pets!
Thanks we can make it in our truck
Thank you. Easy follow.
Delicious! Great instructions – came out amazing and I didn’t even use the butter! Meat thermometer was a great move. Thanks!
i did what u said and that was AMAZING THANK U
I followed the recipe to the T and used the garlic herb seasoning, along with the 1/2 tablespoon of butter. It’s delicious.
Thank you for sharing.
I made one chicken breast with the garlic and herb seasoning. It’s resting now. I followed the directions to the T.
Thank you for sharing.
I am a type 2 diabetic and I am starting to cook for myself due to the fact I live by myself. I am very grateful for the recipes that include chicken breast in them.
Easy to follow recipe and instructions.
I am wondering why you would cook thin cut chicken on higher heat? Wouldn’t it be the opposite?
Because it cooks through so quickly, you can use the higher heat to get a nice sear without worry about the inside being raw. With a thicker piece of meat if you use a higher heat the outside will burn before the inside gets cooked through, so you have to go a bit lower and let the outside brown more slowly. :)
Really good! Husband loved it. Served it with leftover baked sweet potatoes, green beans and corn. It was a delicious, quick supper and I used up some stuff in the fridge.
I’m not very much of a cook but I think these recipes will help me & not break the bank
Nowhere can I read if the chicken is covered or uncovered!
It is uncovered. :) If you need to cover it we’ll be sure to include it in the instructions.
JC could you fit anymore ads into a single web page. Near impossible to read the article without a pop-up or accidently tapping the wrong spot and being taken offsite. I’ll be adding this site to my blocked pages.
Sounds like a personal problem. Maybe get a higher quality phone and learn how to navigate web pages without pressing on ads.
So intentionally rude you are.
Wow! You only got involved in that conversation to put someone down. Wow.