Description
Succulent Stove Top Chicken Breasts deliver pure comfort on a plate, promising restaurant-quality flavor from your own kitchen. Perfectly seasoned and pan-seared, this simple yet elegant dish ensures you savor each tender, flavorful bite with delightful ease.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6–8 ounces / 170–226 grams each)
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning (or dried oregano)
Cooking and Finishing Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (optional)
- Juice of ½ lemon (optional)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley or thyme, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Thoroughly blot chicken breasts with paper towels to ensure optimal moisture removal, creating ideal conditions for a perfect sear. Generously massage selected spices into both surfaces of the meat, ensuring comprehensive flavor integration.
- Select a heavy-bottomed skillet and warm olive oil over medium-high temperature until it shimmers and releases subtle aromatics. Position chicken breasts with the smooth side facing downward, allowing maximum contact with heated surface.
- Allow chicken to develop a rich, golden-brown crust without disrupting its contact with the pan. This typically requires approximately 5-6 minutes, developing complex flavor compounds through caramelization.
- Carefully rotate chicken breasts, reducing heat to medium intensity. Continue cooking for an additional 5-7 minutes, monitoring protein’s transformation and maintaining consistent temperature.
- During final cooking moments, introduce butter and finely chopped garlic, creating a luxurious pan sauce. Gently cascade melted butter over chicken surfaces, enhancing moisture and infusing delicate herbal notes.
- Verify chicken’s readiness using a meat thermometer, confirming internal temperature has reached the safe threshold of 165°F. Remove from heat immediately to prevent overcooking.
- Elevate dish’s brightness by drizzling fresh lemon juice across the surface, introducing a vibrant citrus element that cuts through the richness of the protein.
Notes
- Moisture Mastery: Pat chicken breasts completely dry before seasoning to achieve a gorgeous golden-brown crust that seals in delicious juices.
- Seasoning Symphony: Experiment with different spice blends like Cajun, Mediterranean, or smoky BBQ to transform the flavor profile without changing cooking technique.
- Temperature Triumph: Use a meat thermometer for precise doneness, preventing dry chicken and ensuring food safety with the perfect 165F internal temperature.
- Resting Ritual: Allow cooked chicken to rest 3-5 minutes after cooking, letting juices redistribute for maximum tenderness and preventing dry meat.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg