Description

This Juicy Stove Top Chicken Breasts recipe delivers perfectly cooked, tender, and flavorful chicken breasts using simple seasonings and a stovetop cooking method. With a blend of garlic, onion, basil, and paprika, the chicken is seared to golden brown perfection and finished with butter for extra richness. Ideal for a quick weeknight dinner or meal prep, this recipe ensures moist chicken every time without needing an oven.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Seasonings

3 tablespoons vegetable oil or canola oil, divided
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound total)
Salt, to taste
Fresh ground pepper, to taste
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon smoked or sweet paprika

Additional Ingredients

Cooking spray
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided

Instructions

Heat the oil: Heat 1-1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil over medium-high heat in a large 10-inch or 12-inch skillet until shimmering but not smoking.
Prepare the chicken: Pat dry the chicken breasts thoroughly with paper towels to ensure a good sear.
Oil the chicken: Lightly drizzle oil or spray cooking oil over each chicken breast and rub it evenly all around to coat.
Mix seasoning: In a small bowl, combine salt, fresh ground pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried basil, and paprika.
Season the chicken: Generously season both sides of each chicken breast with the seasoning blend, rubbing it in well for an even coating.
Cook first batch: Add 2 chicken breasts to the hot skillet, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan.
Sear the chicken: Cook the chicken breasts undisturbed for 5 to 7 minutes to develop a golden brown crust.
Flip and finish cooking: Turn the chicken breasts over, add 1 tablespoon of butter to the skillet, swirl to melt and coat the pan, then cook for an additional 7 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Cooking time may vary depending on thickness.
Rest the chicken: Remove chicken breasts from the skillet, cover loosely, and set aside to keep warm.
Repeat with remaining chicken: Repeat the process with the remaining 2 chicken breasts using the remaining oil and butter.
Rest and serve: Once all chicken breasts are cooked, transfer them to a cutting board, let rest for 5 minutes to redistribute juices, then slice and serve.

Notes

Make sure to pat the chicken breasts dry to get a nice sear and prevent steaming.
Adjust cooking time based on the thickness of the chicken breasts to avoid under or overcooking.
Using butter near the end adds richness but can be substituted with olive oil for a lighter option.
Letting the chicken rest after cooking helps keep the meat juicy and tender.
You can double the seasoning and save extra for a quick marinade or for grilling.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop Pan-Seared
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 chicken breast (approximately 4 ounces)
Calories: 270 kcal
Sugar: 0.5 g
Sodium: 350 mg
Fat: 14 g
Saturated Fat: 5 g
Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 1 g
Fiber: 0 g
Protein: 33 g
Cholesterol: 95 mg

Keywords: stovetop chicken breasts, juicy chicken recipe, pan-seared chicken, easy chicken dinner, quick chicken breasts