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Recipes » Ingredient » Chicken & Poultry » Perfectly Cooked Boneless Chicken Breast Recipe

Perfectly Cooked Boneless Chicken Breast Recipe

Posted on August 28, 2019 By Chef Billy Parisi

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Learn how easy it is to cook boneless chicken breasts that are juicy, tender and flavorful, and come out perfect every single time.

sliced cooked chicken breast on a plate with sauce

Cooking perfect chicken breasts can be challenging but I’ve got an absolutely foolproof procedure that I’ve been using for years and it works every single time.  Understanding cooking techniques are the fundamental most important thing when it comes to cooking and perfectly pan-roasting this chicken falls under that umbrella.

Pan-Roasted Chicken Breast

There are several ways to cook them, whether it’s grilled chicken or slow cooker chicken, but to me, the easiest and most flavorful way is to pan roast them.

Pan roasting allows you to get that perfect delicious golden-brown crust while being juicy and tender throughout, plus it takes less than 16 minutes from start to finish to cook.  It’s the single best way to cook them hands down, and once you learn to pan roast, it will be for you as well.

I like to use either cast iron pans or stainless-steel pans since they are environmentally friendly and don’t give off any funky chemicals.

How Long Do You Cook It For

When pan roasting, it should take in between 15 and 18 minutes for a 7 to 9-ounce chicken breast to cook completely through.

It’s always recommended to account for carryover cooking which means it will continue to cook even though it is removed from the heat.  In addition, all protein, including these, should rest for 2-4 minutes before serving.

It will take about 30 minutes per pound of the breast to cook, but please see my tip below.

The Trick to Moist Chicken

The key to making them moist is not overcooking them.  I know that is simple and easier said than done, but with these foolproof cooking procedures it can happen.

Another way to ensure that it is not dried out is by adding a quick sauce or adding a little liquid to your pan along with a pan cover before cooking in the oven.  This process steam-bakes it keeping moisture in the air making them extremely moist.

Remember that just because food is removed from the heat, it does not stop cooking. Always add 1 to 2 minutes into your total cooking time to account for carry-over cooking.

What Temperature Do You Cook At

Whether it’s the breast or a whole chicken in general, safety standards say 165°.  With that being the can be dried out at that temperature, which is why you are on this page, to avoid it.

Remove them from the oven when it reaches 145° to 150° and then rest it on a plate or cutting board for 2-4 minutes before slicing and serving.  There should be no sign of raw pink in the middle of the breast.

How to Do It

1. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides.

2. Add olive oil to a sauté pan over high heat.  Olive oil has a smoking point of 400°

3. Heat the oil until it begins to lightly smoke.  If the oil is so hot that it is rolling smoke that means it’s burning and needs to be discarded.

4. Add the chicken breasts and cook them for 3 ½ to 4 minutes per side.

step by step procedures on how to cook chicken

5. Flip them over.

6. Add the pan to the oven and cook for 10-12 minutes at 375°.

7. Remove them from the pan and rest on a plate or cutting board for 2-4 minutes.

8. Slice and serve.

step by step procedures on how to bake chicken breasts

How to Make the Sauce

A pan sauce and really elevate the flavor and also help to keep it moist.

  • To make a simple sauce after the chicken is cooking, return the pan back to the burner over medium heat.
  • Next, add in the shallots and garlic and saute for 2 to 3 minutes before deglazing with white wine. Cook the wine until it is almost gone in the pan.
  • Add in some good chicken stock and cook on high heat for 2 minutes.
  • Finish with butter, thyme, salt, and pepper.

It’s important to practice this method of pan roasting so that you can perfect and always have delicious juicy flavorful chicken breasts every single time.

casserole dish of sliced chicken with a plate of sliced chickenRecipe Chef Notes + Tips

How to Reheat: To reheat it simply place back in a pan with some of the pan sauce, cover and cook in the oven for 10 minutes at 350°.

How to Store: It will hold in the refrigerator covered up for up to 4 days.  It will also freeze well covered for up to 3 months.  Simply pull it out as you need it and let thaw in the refrigerator before using it.

It’s important to buy chicken breasts that are between 7 and 9 ounces in weight. Large 1-pound chicken breasts are not normal, and you should caution using them.

More Chicken Recipes

  • Authentic Chicken Cacciatore Recipe
  • Chicken Curry
  • Spatchcock Chicken
  • Arroz Con Pollo
  • Chicken Tinga

Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Youtube, Instagram, and Pinterest and if you’ve had a chance to make this then definitely drop me a comment and a rating below!

Video

sliced cooked chicken breast on a plate with sauce
Print Recipe
5 from 9 votes

Perfectly Cooked Boneless Chicken Breast Recipe

Learn how easy it is to cook boneless chicken breasts that are juicy, tender and flavorful, and come out perfect every single time.
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time15 mins
Resting Time4 mins
Total Time24 mins
Course: Main
Cuisine: American, French
Servings: 2
Calories: 441kcal
Author: Chef Billy Parisi

Ingredients

  • 2 7-9 ounce boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ peeled small diced shallot
  • 2 finely minced cloves of garlic
  • ¼ cup chardonnay wine
  • 2 cups chicken stock
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon finely minced fresh thyme
  • sea salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375°.
  • Season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt and pepper.
  • Next, add a large frying pan to a burner over high heat and let sit for 20 to 30 seconds before adding in the olive oil.
  • Once the oil begins to lightly smoke add in the chicken breasts and immediately turn the heat down to medium-high. Note: If it is a hot burner then turn it down to medium.
  • Cook the chicken breasts in between 3 ½ to 4 minutes. Flip it over and add to the oven and cook for 10-12 minutes at 375°.
  • Remove from the oven and let rest on a cutting board for 2 to 4 minutes, it’s ok if it’s a few minutes longer.
  • Next, add the pan back to the cooktop over medium heat and add in the shallots and garlic and saute for 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Deglaze with optional white wine and cook until it is almost completely absorbed.
  • Pour in the chicken stock and cook on high heat for 2 to 3 minutes.
  • 1Finish with butter, thyme, salt, and pepper.
  • 1Serve the chicken with the pan sauce.

Notes

Chef Notes:
  • I like to use either cast iron pans or stainless-steel pans since they are environmentally friendly and don’t give off any funky chemicals.
 
  • It’s important to buy chicken breasts between 7 and 9 ounces in weight. Large 1-pound chicken breasts are not normal, and you should caution using them.
 
  • Remember that just because food is removed from the heat, it does not stop cooking.
 
  • Always add 1 to 2 minutes into your total cooking time to account for carry over cooking.
 
  • If the oil is so hot that it is rolling smoke that means it’s burning and needs to be discarded.
 
  • There should be no sign of raw pink chicken in the middle of the breast.

Nutrition

Calories: 441kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 104mg | Sodium: 495mg | Potassium: 766mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 261IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 1mg
Perfectly Cooked Boneless Chicken Breast Recipe was last modified: March 13th, 2020 by Chef Billy Parisi

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Comments

  1. Ereina says

    February 04, 2021 at 5:27 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious! My family of six loved it.

    Reply
  2. Edokpayi Osaro says

    January 12, 2021 at 12:18 pm

    5 stars
    Thanks for sharing

    Reply
  3. Barbara Black says

    November 20, 2020 at 3:46 pm

    I’m so thankful that you popped up on my Facebook!!!!! You have opened up a new world for me! Thank you so much 😊

    Reply
    • Chef Billy Parisi says

      November 22, 2020 at 6:26 am

      Thank you!

      Reply
  4. Melanie Franceschi says

    October 21, 2020 at 10:03 am

    5 stars
    I am Italian also, this receipe is to the point. You are also calming to watch!
    Thank you

    Reply
  5. Helen McDowell Ulm says

    July 13, 2020 at 2:22 pm

    I like to use a convection oven. What temperature would you suggest I use for your chicken recipe? Which sounds yummy by the way!
    Thank you o
    Helen

    Reply
    • Chef Billy Parisi says

      July 14, 2020 at 11:47 am

      same temperature and 2-4 minutes less.

      Reply
  6. Keren says

    June 24, 2020 at 7:12 pm

    5 stars
    Hey Chef Billy! I was wondering what cast iron pan you are using in this post? I’m on the hunt for a good all around cast iron pan and wanted to know what you recommended. Thank you!

    Reply
  7. alison wharton says

    October 06, 2019 at 7:26 am

    I think the 2 cups of chicken broth is maybe a typo? That’s a lot of chicken broth for a pan sauce for 2 chicken breasts. Maybe it’s supposed to be 1/2 cup. That’s what I used last night and it was plenty. My chic breasts were about 5 oz each so I reduced the cooking time a bit. Nice and tender and juicy.

    Reply
    • Chef Billy Parisi says

      October 07, 2019 at 6:07 am

      You can use up to 2 cups.

      Reply
  8. Jennifer Wright says

    August 28, 2019 at 12:58 pm

    5 stars
    Love how clear the instructions are, the chef tips are awesome too!

    Reply
    • Chef Billy Parisi says

      August 28, 2019 at 2:51 pm

      Thank you!!

      Reply
  9. Emily says

    August 28, 2019 at 9:51 am

    5 stars
    I still need to master the perfectly cooked chicken breast and I think this post will help me do it. Thanks!

    Reply
  10. Rachael Yerkes says

    August 28, 2019 at 9:48 am

    5 stars
    One of our favorite weeknight dinners

    Reply
  11. Toni says

    August 28, 2019 at 9:19 am

    5 stars
    I loved how juicy it was!! Really delish!

    Reply
  12. Courtney O'Dell says

    August 28, 2019 at 7:49 am

    5 stars
    This chicken is so easy and delicious – tons of flavor!

    Reply

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ABOUT ME

I’m Billy Parisi and thanks for checking out my site! I’m a culinary school grad that spent 15 years in the restaurant industry as a line cook, sous chef and executive chef. Now I write recipes, take pictures of’em, shoot some video, occasionally hosting on TV, checking out the latest fashion, hangin with my wife and daughter and watching a whole bunch of college sports. Hope you enjoy my twists on classics as well as new innovations! Read More…

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