The Key to Perfectly Done Chicken on the Stove Is This Kitchen Gadget (2024)

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Meghan Splawn

Meghan Splawn

Meghan was the Food Editor for Kitchn's Skills content. She's a master of everyday baking, family cooking, and harnessing good light. Meghan approaches food with an eye towards budgeting — both time and money — and having fun. Meghan has a baking and pastry degree, and spent the first 10 years of her career as part of Alton Brown's culinary team. She co-hosts a weekly podcast about food and family called Didn't I Just Feed You.

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updated Nov 8, 2023

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Serves2 to 4

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There are as many variations on cooking chicken breasts as there are cooks, and I’d say that is a very good thing, as it ensures we never grow tired of this dinner staple. Pan-seared chicken breast, cooked in a little oil with salt and pepper and finished with a generous knob of butter, is the first way I learned to cook chicken breast on the stove and a technique I always go back to.

The resulting chicken has a golden-crisp exterior with a still-juicy interior, and is just as welcome served with steamed vegetables as it is atop creamy Alfredo pasta. Learn how to make this classic dish — no sticking to the pan or bland flavor, guaranteed.

Quick Overview

How to Cook Chicken Breasts in a Pan

Cook a boneless, skinless chicken breast over medium-high heat in a pan that’s wide and deep to accommodate the chicken and keep splatter to a minimum. Flip the chicken after 5 minutes (don’t poke, prod, wiggle, or try to flip). After you’ve flipped, add 1 tablespoon of butter and cook for another 5 minutes for a golden, juicy piece of meat.

How Long to Cook Chicken Breast on the Stove

You’ll cook chicken breast on the stove for roughly 10–14 minutes, flipping halfway through the cook time.

What Kind of Pan Should I Use for Chicken on the Stove?

This technique is best for a 10-inch or larger skillet, preferably straight-sided and not nonstick. Cast iron is a great option if you’ve got it.

What Ingredients Do I Need?

For classic pan-seared chicken breast, you’ll need:

  • Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about one pound total)
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Oil and butter

How Can I Tell When My Chicken Is Done?

An instant-read thermometer is the best way to tell when the chicken is done. You’ll want to cook the breasts until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.

What to Serve with Pan-Seared Chicken Breast

My favorite use for this golden, juicy chicken is topping creamy chicken Alfredo (the contrast of the chicken with the creamy sauce is heavenly), but this basic technique can be used to start off any number of meals like chopped chicken salads, chicken wraps, and even chicken sandwiches.

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How To Cook Golden, Juicy Chicken Breast on the Stove

Serves 2 to 4

Nutritional Info

Ingredients

  • 2

    boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound total)

  • 3/4 teaspoon

    kosher salt

  • 1/4 teaspoon

    freshly ground black pepper

  • 2 tablespoons

    canola oil

  • 1 tablespoon

    unsalted butter or ghee

Equipment

  • Measuring spoons

  • Knife and cutting board

  • Paper towels

  • 10-inch or larger skillet

  • Tongs

  • Instant-read thermometer

Instructions

Show Images

  1. Pat the chicken dry and season with salt and pepper. Pat 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season all over with 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.

  2. Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Heat 2 tablespoons canola oil in a 10-inch or larger skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 3 minutes.

  3. Carefully add the chicken to the hot pan and cook for 5 to 7 minutes. Swirl the pan just before adding the chicken to evenly distribute the oil. Add the chicken and do not touch, poke, or move the chicken. 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.

  4. Flip the chicken and cook until it reaches 165°F, 5 to 7 minutes more. Reduce the heat to medium. Flip the chicken over and add 1 tablespoon unsalted butter or ghee right between them. Pick up the pan and give it a gentle swirl to distribute the melting butter. Cook until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of at least 165°F, 5 to 7 minutes more.

  5. Slice and serve. Transfer the chicken breasts to a plate or clean cutting board. Let rest for 3 minutes before slicing and serving.

Recipe Notes

Storage: Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Filed in:

Chicken

dinner

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How To

Ingredient

low-carb

The Key to Perfectly Done Chicken on the Stove Is This Kitchen Gadget (2024)

FAQs

What are the key factors when cooking chicken? ›

Leave the skin on

Bones and skin help keep meat moist as it cooks. Chicken breast in particular cooks much better with skin because, as there's so little fat, it needs all the help it can get to retain moisture. If you don't like the taste of the skin (or want to lower the calorie count), peel it off once it's cooked.

What setting to cook chicken on the stove? ›

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).

How do I make sure my chicken cooks all the way through? ›

An instant-read thermometer is the best way to tell when the chicken is done. You'll want to cook the breasts until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.

What stove temperature for chicken breast? ›

Cooking chicken on the stove is the fastest way to get both a perfectly cooked AND seared chicken breast. After testing endless thickness and doneness combinations at countless temperatures, we concluded that the best temperature for pan-seared chicken is 375ºF / 190ºC, or "medium" on your stovetop.

What is the best cooking method for chicken? ›

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.

What is the secret to cooking chicken? ›

Never cook it cold. By allowing chicken breast to come to room temperature, you'll ensure it cooks more evenly once it hits the pan. Plus, by opting for skin-on chicken instead of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, you'll get a more flavorful dish with more texture and moisture.

How do restaurants make sure chicken is cooked? ›

Knew the temperature to which chicken should be cooked (165°F) Said that their food workers use a thermometer to tell when chicken is fully cooked.

Why won't my chicken fully cook? ›

Starting With Cold Chicken Breasts

When you start with cold chicken breast straight from the fridge, it's going to take longer for the middle to heat all the way through. Instead, leave your chicken breasts at room temperature for 30 minutes before they go in the pan.

What is the best way to cook chicken breast without drying it out? ›

Make sure your chicken breast is well-seasoned before adding it to the pan. Cook each side evenly until brown. Once done, bake the chicken breast in a pre-heated oven until juices run clear. The crispy skin from the sear will help keep juices intact while baking cooks the insides through without drying them out.

Should I cook chicken breast on high or low heat? ›

Start by having the heat medium-high when you put the chicken breast in the pan. Sear it quickly. Then get the heat down to medium-low. The average-size boneless chicken breast takes only about 6 minutes of cooking time.

How long should you cook chicken breast? ›

If you're using a recipe, stick to the instructions. For general chicken breast baking times, follow these ranges: 20 to 30 minutes for large boneless, skinless chicken breasts cooked in a 375 degrees F oven.

What are the 4 factors of cooking? ›

Salt, Fat, Acid and Heat are the four cardinal directions of cooking, and this book shows how to use them to find your way in any kitchen [...]”

What are the cooking requirements for chicken? ›

All poultry should reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 °F (73.9 °C) as measured with a food thermometer. A whole chicken must reach this temperature throughout the bird. Check the internal temperature in the innermost part of the thigh and wing and the thickest part of the breast.

What are the factors affecting chicken meat? ›

Age of the bird at slaughter (young or mature birds) affect the flavour of the meat. Minor effects on meat flavour are related to bird strain, diet, environmental conditions (litter, ventilation, etc.), scalding temperatures, chilling, product packaging and storage.

What are the important things to consider in handling chicken? ›

Keep raw meat, poultry, fish, and their juices away from other food. After cutting raw meats, wash hands, cutting board, knife, and counter tops with hot soapy water. Marinate meat and poultry in a covered dish in the refrigerator. Prepare the meat on a separate surface from other cooking materials.

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